KGK Dragon’s Reviews: Assassin’s Creed 3

Assassin's Creed III Remastered revisits the 2012 original with a visual facelift and bundled DLC, including the "Tyranny of King Washington" episodes. Set during the American Revolution, the game introduces players to Connor, a half-indigenous, half-English Assassin caught in the middle of a political and personal conflict. The remaster aims to modernize the gameplay for newer audiences while preserving the original’s core experience. With tweaks to lighting, character models, and some gameplay systems, it tries to bring an older title closer to current standards. However, its improvements come with mixed results depending on player expectations.

Story and Environment

The story follows Connor (Ratonhnhaké:ton), whose journey from a young Native American boy to a key figure in the Revolutionary War is layered with themes of identity, revenge, and freedom. The narrative ambitiously intertwines historical events and real-life figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin with the ongoing Assassin vs. Templar conflict. Colonial America feels alive with shifting weather, bustling towns, and frontier wilderness, creating a rich backdrop. While the pacing can be uneven and Connor less charismatic than other protagonists, the historical setting adds a unique flavor. The Homestead missions and naval gameplay offer refreshing variety outside the main storyline.

Visuals and Graphics

The remaster brings noticeable improvements in lighting, environmental detail, and character textures. Shadows and reflections are sharper, and the color palette is less washed-out than in the original, giving environments more depth and atmosphere. That said, animations and facial expressions still feel dated compared to modern titles, and some lighting tweaks can make scenes look overly saturated or artificial. Urban and wilderness areas both benefit from the visual overhaul, but NPCs often break immersion with janky movements or repeated models. It's a definite upgrade from the original, but not quite on par with current-gen graphics.

Another note, while the newer graphics are crisp and very vivid, it has its own drawbacks. One is made apparent as in Sequence 7, during the Battle of Bunker Hill. The lighting has almost made it nearly impossible to time the volleys of fire to accomplish 100 synchronization without luck and save scumming.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Gameplay remains largely the same as the original, with stealth, parkour, and combat mechanics that feel solid but sometimes clunky by today's standards. Combat is more cinematic than tactical, with flashy counters and takedowns, though enemy AI can be inconsistent. The hunting, crafting, and Homestead systems offer additional depth, but aren’t fully fleshed out. Free-running through trees and over rooftops is fun but lacks the fluidity found in newer entries. Some quality-of-life tweaks help smooth the experience, but older design limitations are still very much present.

Multiplayer and Game Modes

The multiplayer in Assassin's Creed III Remastered, unfortunately, is absent, as Ubisoft chose not to include the original game's online component in the remaster. The original version featured a surprisingly deep and unique multiplayer mode with various game modes like Wanted, Manhunt, and Assassinate, all centered around stealth, deception, and blending in with crowds to outwit opponents. These modes offered a refreshing alternative to typical shooter multiplayer, focusing more on strategy and timing than fast reflexes. The omission is a letdown for fans who appreciated the cat-and-mouse intensity and distinctiveness of the original multiplayer experience. Its absence leaves the remastered feeling slightly incomplete for those who enjoyed the social, competitive aspect of the franchise.

Summary

Assassin's Creed III Remastered is a solid return to one of the series’ most ambitious entries, offering improved visuals and all the original content in one package. While the remaster adds polish, it doesn’t fully modernize the experience, and some dated mechanics may frustrate new players. Still, for fans of the series or history buffs, the game’s unique setting and story are worth revisiting. It’s a respectable upgrade, but not a revolutionary one.

Pros:

• Enhanced visuals and lighting breathe new life into the world

• Includes all DLC content and side missions

• Connor’s story offers a unique cultural perspective

• Improved UI and minor gameplay tweaks

Cons:

• Freerunning and combat feel dated compared to newer titles

• Occasional technical glitches and stiff animations

• Pacing issues in both main story and side quests

• Some characters lack emotional depth or development  10/10 would replay agian and again