Archerful's review of Assassin's Creed® Unity.

Assassin’s Creed Unity is a solid entry in the franchise, with an enjoyable protagonist in Arno Dorian, satisfying combat, and a beautifully realized world. Paris is impressively detailed—teeming with crowds, riots, and life. The sheer density of NPCs and activity makes you feel like you’re genuinely living through the French Revolution. Ubisoft’s recreation of the city is one of the most immersive open worlds in the series. The addition of online co-op was a standout feature. Tackling missions with friends, assassinating targets in tandem, or simply running around in free roam created some genuinely memorable moments. It’s a mystery why Ubisoft never revisited co-op in the same way for future titles—the foundation was here, and with a bit more refinement, it could have evolved into something truly special. I didn’t play Unity at launch, so I thankfully avoided the infamous day-one version that was riddled with bugs and glitches. I first played it in 2016, by which time the game had received numerous patches. Even then, I still encountered a few minor bugs—things like floating weapons or the occasional animation hiccup—but nothing game-breaking. Just the kind of jank that’s more funny than frustrating. Story-wise, Unity had a decent narrative that kept me engaged. I especially enjoyed the Rift missions, with the WWII segment being a highlight. However, some story beats left me scratching my head—most notably the strange decision for Arno not to pursue his father’s killer, which felt like a major missed opportunity in his character arc. Parkour is something of a mixed bag. On one hand, the animation system is fluid, and when it works, traversing the rooftops of Paris feels incredible. On the other, Arno sometimes seems to have a mind of his own—jumping in unintended directions or getting caught on ledges, which can be frustrating during high-stakes chases. Visually, Unity still holds up incredibly well. I’m genuinely in awe of how good this game looks even today—it wouldn’t feel out of place running on a PS5 next to some other AAA titles. In many ways, it was ahead of its time, and the visual fidelity paired with the massive crowds still impresses. In conclusion, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Assassin’s Creed Unity deserved better than the reputation it gained at launch. A true next-gen remaster could give this game the second chance it deserves, especially for players who wrote it off in 2014 and never looked back.