(Takes around 3 hours to complete)
AC 4 has the least amount of content and the shortest completion time out of all main titles of the franchise, except for the first two, but it makes up for it with one of the best stories I've seen in a video game.
Story
Don't play this game if you expect a typical Call of Duty-esque storyline. It is split into two parts – the gameplay and the cutscenes. During the gameplay, you play as Mobius 1 – an elite pilot for the ISAF, which is currently at war with Erusea. You take part in dangerous operations and by the end of the game you are called by most a hero. The cutscenes are a narration of a man's childhood during the war, told through beautiful hand drawn panels. His family had been killed by a crashing plane, shot down by an enemy pilot. After Erusian forces occupy his town, he meets that enemy pilot – Yellow 13. Between them, a very interesting dynamic develops – Yellow killed his family and is part of the enemy, but there is no one else who he can rely on. Eventually, this leads to Yellow turning into a sort of surrogate father for the kid. During the cutscenes, Mobius 1 serves the role of an antagonist, as there is no one else who can match Yellow in skill.
Gameplay
It has the standard for the series of arcade flight mechanics. Unfortunately, there is a low number of aircraft, and you can't change the SP weapons like in the later games. It has great mission pacing with one of the best final levels in the franchise. One criticism I can bring up is the lack of checkpoints. This becomes especially apparent in some 20+ minute long missions.
Graphics and artstyle
The cutscenes are all hand drawn and as such they have aged very well. The same can't be said for the gameplay part. Just don't look at the ground too hard and you will be fine.
Atmosphere
The cutscenes are melancholic and nostalgic, while the gameplay makes you feel like a hero who can get the job done, not matter the odds.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is good and fits pretty well. “Megalith Agnus Dei” stands out as the best for me.
Final Thoughts
“Stand back I am about to Mob” - Mobius 1
AC 4 has the least amount of content and the shortest completion time out of all main titles of the franchise, except for the first two, but it makes up for it with one of the best stories I've seen in a video game.
Story
Don't play this game if you expect a typical Call of Duty-esque storyline. It is split into two parts – the gameplay and the cutscenes. During the gameplay, you play as Mobius 1 – an elite pilot for the ISAF, which is currently at war with Erusea. You take part in dangerous operations and by the end of the game you are called by most a hero. The cutscenes are a narration of a man's childhood during the war, told through beautiful hand drawn panels. His family had been killed by a crashing plane, shot down by an enemy pilot. After Erusian forces occupy his town, he meets that enemy pilot – Yellow 13. Between them, a very interesting dynamic develops – Yellow killed his family and is part of the enemy, but there is no one else who he can rely on. Eventually, this leads to Yellow turning into a sort of surrogate father for the kid. During the cutscenes, Mobius 1 serves the role of an antagonist, as there is no one else who can match Yellow in skill.
Gameplay
It has the standard for the series of arcade flight mechanics. Unfortunately, there is a low number of aircraft, and you can't change the SP weapons like in the later games. It has great mission pacing with one of the best final levels in the franchise. One criticism I can bring up is the lack of checkpoints. This becomes especially apparent in some 20+ minute long missions.
Graphics and artstyle
The cutscenes are all hand drawn and as such they have aged very well. The same can't be said for the gameplay part. Just don't look at the ground too hard and you will be fine.
Atmosphere
The cutscenes are melancholic and nostalgic, while the gameplay makes you feel like a hero who can get the job done, not matter the odds.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is good and fits pretty well. “Megalith Agnus Dei” stands out as the best for me.
Final Thoughts
“Stand back I am about to Mob” - Mobius 1