A Few Starting Notes

A Few Starting Notes

The game is neatly divided up into the things that are part of the main story mode (Campaign) and the things that are part of the optional story mode.  Basically this is a division between the DNA Sequences and the Desmond Sequences -- unlike previous titles in the series these are not intermixed, rather you can play through all nine DNA Sequences and, in the process, pick up the Memory Fragments that are scattered around the maps, the collection of which unlocks the Desmond Sequences in the Main Hub.  The important thing for you to understand here is that the Desmond Sequences are NOT part of the Campaign, but rather they represent additional backstory that you can either access as soon as it is available, or all at once at the end once you have them all unlocked.

In view of that unique arrangement the DNA Sequences are all in numerical order for the purposes of logical walkthrough, and are then followed by the Desmond Sequences.  After that are the other sub-mission type stuff, making for a neat and easy to use guide structure.  The important thing for you to remember here is that you can replay both types of Sequences as needed to complete the game to 100%, including the different challenges.

Really that makes this one of the most relaxed and easy to play titles in the series, which is a fact that I am certain you will come to enjoy!

If you are new to the series you may benefit from a quick description of the various weapons that are your stock in trade as an Assassin...

--== The Basic Assassin's Weapons and Kit ==--

As an Assassin you are allowed to carry your Hidden Blade, Daggers, and one Medium or Heavy Weapon in addition to support kit like Medicine, Bombs, and Poison.

-- Daggers --

Daggers are the utility weapon of the Assassin's world -- their attacks are much faster than the heavier weapons, and there is a variety in the game that includes the Arabian Dagger, Bayezid's Knife, Butcher's Knife, Macedonian Dagger, Mehmet's Dagger, Romani Stiletto, and the Standard Stiletto just to name a few.  These are available at different points in the game -- check the Weapon's Appendix for the details -- and some have particular use for specific enemies.

While they are not recommended as a primary weapon -- their blocking capability is practically non-existent -- Daggers can be an effective tool under the right circumstances, and you will want to collect and play with them to see how they fit into your play style.

-- Throwing Knives --

Much smaller than the Dagger, the Throwing Knife is your earliest ranged utility weapon and a very nice way to make discreet silent kills and surprise kills.  The Throwing Knife has a Special Attack that is activated by holding down the the button rather than tapping it, which will result in throwing up to three knives into a group of enemy once you have targeted one member among them.

In addition to multiple-throws you can also execute multiple-kills when you hold down the button during an "Execution Streak" which will cause you to throw a knife at one enemy as you stab the other with your dagger!

-- The Hidden Blade --

This is both the signature weapon of the Assassin and about the coolest gizmo that Leonardo DaVinci ever created -- and it is without doubt the most effective weapon for executing close-in silent attacks on your enemies that mostly go unnoticed.  When you have the Double Hidden Blades, you can effectively kill two targets at the same time -- so a pair of guards patrolling the street  can easily be dual-assassinated by moving in between them and activating your blades! 

These are basically a long blade that is built into a spring-loaded device strapped to your wrists, allowing you to approach a target seemingly unarmed, and then at the very last second deploy and use them, with nobody the wiser.  Never forget that you have these, as they are often a more reliable method for eliminating a target when you do not want to raise the alarm.

-- Medium Weapons --

These largely consist of your basic sword or mace, and present as a more convenient weapon simply because their smaller size makes them faster in both attacking and blocking than their heavy brothers.  As with the Dagger there is a wide variety that are available in the game at different points -- you should consult the Weapon Appendix for the details.

Medium Weapons tend to be a well balanced piece of kit, having decent attack and defense stats, and useful combos, though they are much less effective against heavily armored foes, which are more a target for the larger Heavy Weapons than Medium -- though that is not to say that you could not take out a heavily armored enemy with a Medium Weapon, it will just require more effort.

-- Heavy Weapons --

Heavy Weapons include the large swords and axes, and are both the slowest attacking and defending weapons in the game but also the most damaging, being especially effective against Heavy Armor.  In addition to doing great damage, depending on the strength and size of the enemy, they also tend to break through defensive guards, and defeat blocks.

Obtaining access to Heavy Weapons in the game requires you to purchase a Heavy Weapons Pouch as part of your standard kit, and then obtain the weapon itself.  Learning the timing and attacks is the next step -- but like the other weapons in the game, these are used tactically for specific types of targets, and are not really effective against opponents in light armor with Medium Weapons.

-- Replaying Memories and Sequences --

You can replay the memories and sequences, but the ability to replay them is not always present and available depending upon where you are at in the story...  The reason for that is actually simple enough -- they do not want you to break the flow of the story when what are considered important events are either unfolding or are coming up, so at those points in the game you do not have the ability to replay, but it is restored later!

You will very likely need to replay some of the memories if you failed to gain 100% synchronization on them -- something that is likely to happen since some of the requirements can be a bit on the tricky side.  My best advice to you is do not fixate on getting perfect plays each time, that will just drive you bonkers -- the game simply is not set up to be played that way, and trying to really will mess with your head and very likely irritate you to the point that you start hating the game -- and it is such a good game that ending up there would be a bloody shame, mates.  That is all I am saying.