You know for all my talk and analysis that I blather on about here I like to think that I’ve left you readers with the impression that I am as prone to being excited and swayed from my opinion as the next person. That said, I should explain my feelings about the Assassin’s Creed franchise before I kick into this.

I was wowed into submission by the first game in the series. There is a strong warm place in my heart for the initial listening and pickpocket missions. Despite all of the cinematic flair and improvements in the subsequent games I have strong affection t for that first game even if it did dredge into monotony and I hated the combat system. At least I could do everything in the game.

I’ve enjoyed Assassin’s Creed 2 as much as I’ve played of it when I can and I’m sure I’ll enjoy the subsequent games when I get to them. I feel a bit bad for the reputation Desmond has in the series, even if it is deserved in Assassin’s Creed 3 (About the only voice Nolan North’s done that people don’t like so I guess the man was due). I haven’t played the latest release yet but criticism that reaches my ears is so divided between praise and condemnation that I can only shrug my shoulders and wait my turn.

That all said, I am wildly excited about Assassin’s Creed 4.