ASSASSIN’S CREED III REMASTERED

Platform: PC, Xbox One, PS4 ★★★★★

ASSASSIN’S Creed III Remastered is a prime example of the dangers of remasters.

On the one hand, it’s refreshing to revisit an established and clear-cut episode in the global conflict between Templars and Assassins, back before the more recent Odyssey and Origins adventures pursued new directions.

The hardscrabble world of Colonial America is a fertile setting (though the clumsy storytelling is frequently crudely pieced together), even without the grandeur that defines the series.

But upscaled and revamped visuals can’t counteract the absence of modern gameplay refinements that hit home, from the sluggish parkour or lack of fluidity in combat, to the wooden and distracting animation. Reviewed on Asus ROG G703G.

The last word: Even fond memories can’t outweigh the dated gameplay.