Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - Wanted Mode Impressions
I was a bit skeptical when it was announced that multiplayer was coming to the Assassin's Creed franchise. Often times, unnecessary multiplayer modes are tacked on to games in order to add perceived value to the title, when in reality the game's mechanics don't translate well to multiple players. Thankfully, this isn't the case with Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. In fact, Brotherhood's Wanted Mode could be reason enough to justify the game's existence.
Gameplay boils down to hunting down a human controlled target (up to 8 players are supported) while you are being stalked by another assassin. This leads to very interesting gameplay scenarios, as you try to blend in with NPC's while tracking down and identifying your prey. You have an indicator to show you the direction and proximity of your mark but it doesn't call them out specifically, so you'll have to look for telltale signs that they are not an NPC, such as running around, climbing, running into people, etc.
The feeling one has of hunting down a target while knowing that someone else is coming for them is different than in any other multiplayer game I've played, and it's pretty great. It's easy to get paranoid, taking your attention away from your prey, while constantly looking over your shoulder for your stalker.
The game does a good job of balancing as well the action. A dominate player may have more than one contract placed on their head at one time. The combat is simplified, but this is for the best. The focus is on assassination, not drawn out sword fights. If you aren't stealthy in your kill you will have to flee the scene and just like in the previous games you'll traverse rooftops and run weave your way through crowded streets to avoid your pursuers. Additionally, you'll be aided in your escape by Chase-Breakers, which are places on the map that you use, such as a door that you can slam shut behind you, to slow down your hunters.
There is also a leveling system, very much in the vein of, well every multiplayer game nowadays, that gives you ownership over your character's abilities. It's a nice way to add depth to the game.
As an alternative to the multiplayer shooters which dominate the market, Wanted Mode in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a standout.
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