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Major Changes and Differences
Gameplay in Assassin's Creed Unity is similar to that of previous Assassin's Creed games, but there have been many changes made for Ubisoft's first title exclusively made for PS4 / Xbox One. Several new gameplay elements have been added, and long-time standards for the series have either been fundamentally altered or removed entirely.
What's Been Added | What's Been Removed |
Removed or Altered Features
While there have been new features and mechanics added to Unity, many fans of the franchise will be remiss to find that several staple abilities have either been restricted or removed entirely.
Restrictions on Basic Abilities
As noted below, many Assassin abilities must now be unlocked before players can make use of them. No longer can players leap off a roof onto two foes below in their first mission - the Double Assassination ability isn't available until Sequence 03, while the 2x Aerial Assassination is locked until Sequence 06.
Other formerly-standard abilities players will need to unlock include the Money Bomb (the NPC lure consisting of a flurry of gold coins), use of a pistol, and the ability to hide on a bench.
This Is Not Black Flag 2
While most critics agree that the naval combat in AC4: Black Flag was an excellent component of the game, there are no ships to captain or sink in Unity - that honor goes to Assassin's Creed Rogue.
No More "Easy" Button
In previous AC titles, most notably Black Flag and Brotherhood, players were able to immediately kill off almost any enemy whose attack they had parried. This ability also allowed for the chaining of kills into streaks, but has been removed in Unity in order to make combat more challenging.
Co-operative Multiplayer Only
Eschewing the competitive multiplayer of several Assassin's Creeds past, the focus is now placed on co-operative missions and heists that will earn players rewards of money, Sync Points and more.
However, while not being exclusively competitive, there are aspects of Unity's co-op modes that will pit players against one another. While a team of Assassins will fail a mission if one of them dies, their rewards are based on their individual performance throughout the mission. This means that as long as your teammate survives, you may want to remain hidden after they've attracted a host of guards to their position.
No Hiding the Evidence
In addition to not being able to pick up weapons from fallen enemies, players are no longer allowed to move and dispose of dead or unconscious bodies. This means that players will have to focus their efforts on making kills while out-of-sight of other enemy patrols.
New Additions
Several core gameplay mechanics have been altered or added exclusively for the release of Assassin's Creed Unity. They range from a "downwards parkour" movement option to a robust skill tree with purchasable upgrades - all new functions for the AC universe.
Downwards Parkour
One of the most touted aspects of the updates Unity has received is it's "Free-Run Down" button, which allows players to quickly get from high vantage points down to ground level by holding down the appropriate button or key.
While in previous games it was far easier to climb a building or obstacle than it was to descend from it, the downwards free-running ability makes navigating the multi-level maze of Paris far smoother and simpler than it might once have been.
Skills and Upgrades
While previous Assassin's Creed games allowed players to purchase or craft new items, such as weapons or bombs, Unity requires players to spend Sync Points on various skills that will improve their abilities as an assassin.
These cover a wide range of abilities, including the classic double assassinations and crowd-distracting money pouches. Other abilities include bonuses that will extend to your cooperative allies, or mastery over certain weapon types.
Perfect Parries
While parrying strikes in combat used to be as simple as "mash [X] button," Unity adds a timed parry that will not only block the incoming attack but also injure the affronting enemy.
When an attacker's status bar flashes gold, press the parry button to execute a "Perfect Parry" - this will block the attack and stun your attacker, opening a window for players to press the offensive.