While my copy is still to arrive from Hong Kong, I was reading some user impressions.
This guy believes that the GPS/map were added to make the game easier, but in the process making many game mechanics superfluous. Apparantly, all the elements that are noted on the map have corresponding clues in-game, if you look for them. This also explains why many reviewers found the game repetitive, as a large part of the game consists of finding clues etc, which - if you use the map - simply means going from A to B, instead of looking around in the city.
Has anyone here played it with all the HUD elements off? It seems much more interesting, and the way the developer originally intended it to be. I know I'll be playing HUDless for sure!
I finally received my copy of the game a few days ago. The first note I'll make is that this is one of the best looking games I've ever played - it's stunning. The first moment I walked up to the first giant city (Darnassus?) on horse via a high-vantage point view and could see the full scale of the rooftops you'll be climbing I was knocked out, murmuring, "you're kidding!" to myself. Everything looks smooth and Atair animated like you'd expect - I've never sat there thinking he looked like a computer model moving in limited range.
I played the first hour or so (prior to being to entering the city) with all of the default options on, and I enjoyed the game, but it was ultimately pretty boring. You basically have a compass on your screen telling you where to go, compete with "distance to target". You get there, the screen pops up telling you what to do, then you do it, and the GPS changes to a different location.
After reading the post linked above, I decided to try without the GPS. The game was
hugely better, and I actually felt like I was playing as an assassin, rather than a messenger. I had to climb up to all the highest points, so I climbed a two-storey building and looked to the sky for circling eagles. When there were some near me, I jumped along the rooftops, moving to my destination. As I did so, I'd hear cries from below of people who needed help. So I'd peer down and watch the scenario, looking for the best vantage point, stealth-walked up and assassinated a guard before he know what hit me. The others would all come and attack me, but they were one short thanks to my assassination skills. Go me! Once complete, it was back to the rooftops, and using my Eagle Vision when I needed a little more focus.
It may get repetitive down the line, however for now this game is completely blowing me away. I would compare it more to a sandbox game than an action game, simply because you truly feel like you can go anywhere and do anything.
I'd strongly recommend anyone just about to jump in to the game to get the ropes with GPS assistance and the like, but turn it off and leave it off after entering Darnassus. Read the post linked above, since it gives great tips on how to truly become a knowledge seeker in the game without GPS tips and points on the map that you need to "check off" one by one. Let me game flow naturally as you make your journey, and take your time.
