Jerusalem, Acre, Damascus, and an Assassin inventing his own legend before the series became a machine.

No gut choice recorded here, so straight to the criteria, and the profile is sharply split. On the bright side: attachment runs ahead of nearly nine games out of ten, and the art direction ahead of more than eight out of ten. People also gladly pack it for a desert island, just above the average. But the shadow side stings. The 3am fun drops to the very bottom, ahead of barely one game in a hundred. The controller feel follows, almost as low. The soundscape stays low too. There lies the real tension: a first entry cherished for its mood and ambition, but whose moment to moment repetition has aged without mercy.

Next to its sequel and modern open worlds, this first attempt shows the brilliant foundation and the seams still on display.

So, who is it for? For you if you love origins, the austerity of a crusade, and a world that leaves a mark despite its wrinkles. A lot less if you want a gameplay loop that grips you, controller in hand, today.