Daft Posted January 1, 2008 Author Posted January 1, 2008 I'm up to a part where I can't leg it and find a hiding spot, I'm forced to stay and fight, and given the randomness of the combat I just can't seem to get the better of those attacking me. As a consequence my enjoyment of this game has plummeted significantly! I loved the fighting in AC. Its all about timing and counter attacks. If anything the combat is everything but random. Also throwing beggars down stairs if awesome.
Gizmo Posted January 1, 2008 Posted January 1, 2008 I'm up to a part where I can't leg it and find a hiding spot, I'm forced to stay and fight, and given the randomness of the combat I just can't seem to get the better of those attacking me. As a consequence my enjoyment of this game has plummeted significantly! How is the combat random?
Ramar Posted January 1, 2008 Posted January 1, 2008 I'll admit the combat is limited. But counters are eye candy. Smacking the guy in the balls then slicing down his chest. Or my favourite the one where Altair spins slashes the back of their legs, and stabs their stomach as they lie there.
Gizmo Posted January 1, 2008 Posted January 1, 2008 I love the ones when he carves into the side of their neck through their collar bone, and you just see a split second of the head dangling on only the skin at the other side.
Daft Posted January 1, 2008 Author Posted January 1, 2008 I love the one with the sword where you get them on their knees and then dig into their shoulder and slice. Edit: Just realized thats the same one you said Gizmo! :p Or the one with the short blade where you knife there foot and stab them in the head.
c0Zm1c Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 How is the combat random? Because, even when it feels like I'm timing it right, it's hit or miss whether counters and dodges execute properly. Coupled with the enemy's ability to break your defence and leave you open and guaranteed to be struck by a follow up attack, you have a combat system that feels very random indeed, and which can be highly frustrating. Prince of Persia did it better, where mistakes seemed more like your own and less like a glitch with the game's controls. Granted, it's not so bad throughout most of the game because you have the opportunity to run, break the line of sight between you and the guards, and find a hiding spot - which is what the gameplay seems pitched more towards than the forced and relentless battles you face towards the end of the game. I do really like the game, but it's not without some glaring issues.
Jimbob Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I completely agree, I usually punch the beggers in the face. Do what i do and Assassinate them, then leg it before anyone notices that you killed them. Stops them getting in the way. I really ought to get this game back out again, been really busy over the holidays to play this game.
c0Zm1c Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Assassinating citizens drains your synchronisation bar, so don't do it too much.
Gizmo Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Because, even when it feels like I'm timing it right, it's hit or miss whether counters and dodges execute properly. Coupled with the enemy's ability to break your defence and leave you open and guaranteed to be struck by a follow up attack, you have a combat system that feels very random indeed, and which can be highly frustrating. The timing of the counters isn't really that random, only when the frame rate drops can it be tricky. Also, you can jump out of the way or attack back and block it that way.
c0Zm1c Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 No, it is random. The fact that I can't guarantee I'll be able to counter or dodge an attacking enemy - even when my timing seems good - makes it random. It could be a problem with the game's targeting system, because when I'm fighting just one remaining enemy the counters and dodges do seem to work a little better. I've never been able to jump out of the way or return an attack straight after my defence has been broken (if that's what you meant?) At that point Altair is stumbling backwards and for a brief period doesn't respond to any moves: there's nothing you can do to counter or avoid the follow-up attack. For the majority of the game the combat system works well I think. You know that if you stay and fight there's a good chance you could get yourself killed, but you do have the opportunity to run if you're not doing so well. The city environments also complement the combat greatly - citizens helping you out, being able to throw guards into scaffolding (instant kill)/off rooftops, etc. It can make for some really tense but enjoyable scraps. It's only very late in the game where it begins to fall apart, where you're robbed of the open gameplay and boxed in with only the sword fighting as a means to deal with the enemies. In the meantime I have managed to finish the game, using the very cheap trick of running around in circles just out of the reach of the enemy whilst my synchronisation bar recharges.
Daft Posted January 2, 2008 Author Posted January 2, 2008 *What you just said* I don't really know what you are on about. (I mean that in a non sarcastic way) If anything the fighting is predictable. What version are you playing? I've got the one on the 360, I don't know if it makes a difference, probably not. I fought off loads of guards in the space of about 20 minutes outside the caste place in Acre. (Yes, I am easily entertained ) As for the targeting system the only problem I have is with the initial lock on when saving a citizen because I'm never sure if I'm locked on and ready to defend. When you get knocked back you hardly ever get attacked. You have to counter just before they make contact with you.
Bluejay Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Just finished this mixed bag of a game. Enjoyed it overall but the ending annoyed me, I like conclusions, even partial conclusions and I didn't really get one. Still, I like the modern plot, gives more substance to an otherwise run of the mill middle age yarn. As much as I hate to say it, I will buy AC 2 & 3, if only to conclude the story.
c0Zm1c Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 I have the 360 version. The guards in the Kingdom are quite easy to kill. Well, they are near the start of the game - I hardly bothered fighting them in later Memory Blocks so I don't know if they increase in challenge. When I get knocked back (defence broken through) I always get struck with a follow-up attack. It's the whole point of them striking again, since the first was only to break your defence. The tutorial tells you to press the button for a counter attack just as the enemy begins its attack, not as it makes contact with you. Maybe that's why I've found them harder to pull off?
Daft Posted January 3, 2008 Author Posted January 3, 2008 I reckon you should press the button for counter attack when they are about to make contact with you. Yeah, you have a point with them always attacking after they break your defense but you probably have enough health to negate that. I loved fighting for the sake of it because, like I said, I'm incredibly easy to please and it looks really cinematic!
Razz Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Yeah I agree on the cinematic....-ness? I love just bitch slapping a retard, then having loads of guards come and start on you. Then countering them all. Only thing is they need a little too much provoking to get them to strike, which can be annoying.
Cube Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 No, it is random. The fact that I can't guarantee I'll be able to counter or dodge an attacking enemy - even when my timing seems good - makes it random. It could be a problem with the game's targeting system, because when I'm fighting just one remaining enemy the counters and dodges do seem to work a little better. I never had a problem with countering. You are pointing the analogue stick towards the attacking enemy, right?
c0Zm1c Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 I never had a problem with countering. You are pointing the analogue stick towards the attacking enemy, right? Yes, I am. Or rather was. I haven't much incentive to play the game now that I've finished the story.
Gizmo Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 No, it is random. The fact that I can't guarantee I'll be able to counter or dodge an attacking enemy - even when my timing seems good - makes it random. It could be a problem with the game's targeting system, because when I'm fighting just one remaining enemy the counters and dodges do seem to work a little better. I've never been able to jump out of the way or return an attack straight after my defence has been broken (if that's what you meant?) At that point Altair is stumbling backwards and for a brief period doesn't respond to any moves: there's nothing you can do to counter or avoid the follow-up attack. For the majority of the game the combat system works well I think. You know that if you stay and fight there's a good chance you could get yourself killed, but you do have the opportunity to run if you're not doing so well. The city environments also complement the combat greatly - citizens helping you out, being able to throw guards into scaffolding (instant kill)/off rooftops, etc. It can make for some really tense but enjoyable scraps. It's only very late in the game where it begins to fall apart, where you're robbed of the open gameplay and boxed in with only the sword fighting as a means to deal with the enemies. In the meantime I have managed to finish the game, using the very cheap trick of running around in circles just out of the reach of the enemy whilst my synchronisation bar recharges. Your not supposed to be able to block an attack after your defense is broken. Your supposed to block the defense break in the first place. Don't take this the wrong way but I think the problem your having is just that you're not very good at it. You say that after the start of the game you avoided combat as much as possible, and I think thats why. You didn't go through the same learning curve of figuring out the nuances of the fighting, the tell-tale movements and techniques.
Solo Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Yay I traded this turd in and got 30 squids! Hopefully Mass Effect is still £20.
c0Zm1c Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Your not supposed to be able to block an attack after your defense is broken. Your supposed to block the defense break in the first place. That's certainly logical. But since the counter and dodge moves were very hit and miss for me it was hard work trying to prevent it happening in the first place. Don't take this the wrong way but I think the problem your having is just that you're not very good at it. Well I'm not going to be good at a fighting system I've found to be very random. And if what Daft tells me is correct (I've not been back to the game yet to try it out) then it's hardly my fault when the game tells me to time counter attacks and dodges one way when I should be timing them another! You say that after the start of the game you avoided combat as much as possible No, I said I hardly bothered fighting the guards in the Kingdom in later memory blocks. I did a great deal of fighting throughout the game in the cities.
Gizmo Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Well I'm not going to be good at a fighting system I've found to be very random. And if what Daft tells me is correct (I've not been back to the game yet to try it out) then it's hardly my fault when the game tells me to time counter attacks and dodges one way when I should be timing them another! Again don't take this the wrong way but I think you've gotten it the wrong way around. Your finding it random because your not very good at it, I think. I certainly had no problems with timing of blocks or counters. In fact, the combat system was one of my favourite parts of the game.
c0Zm1c Posted January 4, 2008 Posted January 4, 2008 How patronising of you! I really enjoyed the combat system too in the cities, and briefly in the Kingdom. The randomness brought an air of intensity and uncertainty to the fights that would have been nonexistent if, like you and Daft, I had also realised how to time counters and dodges perfectly every single time. I didn't time blocks. There's no point. You block continually, as much as the randomness permits, whilst holding down the right trigger. Quotes from Gamespot's guide... If you press the counter button just as an enemy's attack is about to hit you, you'll counter it, taking no damage. That isn't what the game's tutorial tells you, it tells you to "Press and hold RT and press X when you see an enemy start an attack to perform a Counter Attack" Note, however, that you if you press the counter button too early, you'll wind up missing the counter and taking the opponent's blow straight on. So the game effectively tutored me wrong and was telling me to press it too early. It's no wonder I was getting random results. Way to go Ubisoft Montreal. But I concede, inspite of the above, the reason I wasn't doing so well is because I'm not very good at it.
spirited away Posted January 6, 2008 Posted January 6, 2008 I don't understand a few aspects of this game: The game tells you to use viewpoints to find investigations, so I find all the viewpoints and no new markers appear on the map except save civillian?; how do you pickpocket?, apart from at context-sensitive points that further the story - there's an acheivement for pickpocketing throwing-knives, maybe i'm not far enough through the game. Also I don't understand why you can get attacked outside the 'assasins castle' for displaying suspicous behaviour - I've just come from there, surely it's a bit obvious. I'm probably being an idiot here, but I'm not following the story at all.
c0Zm1c Posted January 6, 2008 Posted January 6, 2008 Just keep climbing up to different viewpoints and synchronising until you get the necessary investigations. You're given clues where to look when you visit the bureau for the first time for each assassination. You can pickpocket thugs to get throwing knives. They're the big burly blokes wandering around that you can lock onto. Just lock onto one, move in close until the gentle push button becomes a pickpocket button, press and hold it down, and move in really close. Altair will take the knives automatically when you've gotten close enough, unless he turns around and realises what you're doing, then all you'll get is a punch in the face.
spirited away Posted January 6, 2008 Posted January 6, 2008 Just keep climbing up to different viewpoints and synchronising until you get the necessary investigations. You're given clues where to look when you visit the bureau for the first time for each assassination. You can pickpocket thugs to get throwing knives. They're the big burly blokes wandering around that you can lock onto. Just lock onto one, move in close until the gentle push button becomes a pickpocket button, press and hold it down, and move in really close. Altair will take the knives automatically when you've gotten close enough, unless he turns around and realises what you're doing, then all you'll get is a punch in the face. Thanks for the help. The thing is, even when I've synchronized all I can, nothing appears on the map, so I'm left wandering around trying to find interrogations and eavesdrops to no avail. Is it just a question of finding them, because the game tells you that viewpoints will reveal all investiagations:wtf: . On a side note: Isn't this game monotonous?!
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