Let’s rediscover together in this review three of the most loved chapters of the famous Ubisoft saga, thanks to Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection for Nintendo Switch
After the official reveal, which came only last month, of the release date of Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection for Nintendo Switch, now we find ourselves writing the review of this famous trilogy, whose remaster has finally landed also on the hybrid of the great N. Fans will therefore always be able to carry with them the three chapters that have contributed to making the Ubisoft saga one of the cornerstones of the videogame universe. The epic of Ezio Auditore da Firenze managed to enter the hearts of millions of fans by right, but how is the famous Tuscan assassin doing today on the small screens of the Nintendo console?
Studying history …
It was the year 2009 when Ubisoft was preparing to release the second chapter of what, in the future, would become one of the most famous franchises in the world: Assassin’s Creed 2. In it we get to know Ezio Auditore, character the whose charisma has allowed him to stand as a symbol of the franchise itself. Against the fascinating background of an Italy in the middle of the Renaissance period, outlined with care and passion, the young murderer found himself involved in a plot made up of intrigues and conspiracies, in which historical characters and events moved exquisitely intertwined with fictional events of great impact. .
The success was such that in the two years to follow the software house decided to release two other new chapters, Brotherhood and Revelations, which complete the story of the young killer. We then moved on to visit Rome, in the role of a now adult Ezio, to finally get to observe the beard of the protagonist turn gray as we explore the distant Constantinople. The subtlety with which the character is outlined (combined with the fact that we will accompany him for a good part of his life) allows us to establish a strong bond with the player, which represents one of the greatest qualities of this videogame work.
Get Beautiful for the Occasion – Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection Review, Nintendo Switch
As we mentioned in the incipit of this review, Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection for Nintendo Switch re-proposes the three titles in a remastered guise, without substantial changes from both an aesthetic and gameplay point of view. Some tweaks were obviously necessary, especially to adapt the games to the hybrid of the Kyoto giant, but the most avid fans of the original chapters will feel almost immediately at home, thanks to the excellent work done in adapting the controls, as well as the care with which the titles were transposed onto the small Nintendo console.
In fact, during our test we almost never ran into bugs or framerate problems, apart from a few sporadic cases of little importance. In open spaces (for example in the areas outside the city walls of the second chapter) you notice a little more dynamic resolution, probably necessary to better optimize the fluidity of the gameplay, but when you find yourself wandering through the city streets you can still breathing that fascinating historical atmosphere that remains one of the cornerstones of the entire work.
The Test of Time – Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection Review, Nintendo Switch
As can be easily understood, faithfully remastering today a production with more than a decade on its shoulders involves a whole series of pros and cons to be carefully evaluated before proceeding with the purchase. During our test for the review of Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection for Switch we could not help but notice how the graphics, once the flagship of the production, are inevitably not up to standards. we are used to today.
Mind you, the trilogy still manages to defend itself aesthetically, giving us on several occasions some pleasantly suggestive glimpses, but not too sharpening the view (especially playing in TV mode) you can see some animations a little woody and the angularity of the models, details today certainly more evident yesterday. Brotherhood and (later) Revelations partially file some of these edges but the final result is always undeniably the son of another era. However, if you are willing to compromise with this graphic layout, the work will certainly reward you properly.
… Everything is fair – Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection Review, Nintendo Switch
The graphics are not the only aspect that has suffered from the weight of time. In this paragraph of our review we will see how Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection on Switch, pad in hand, offers game mechanics that are still valid, but without all that series of small improvements that, from chapter to chapter, have helped to perfect the gameplay of the saga. Here, too, the situation slightly improves passing from the second title to Revelaton, but it is undeniable that controlling Ezio, today, has lost some of that charm present at the time.
In fact, directing our killer is sometimes inaccurate, and it will often happen that you accidentally jump towards the wrong ledge or chimney. It must also be said that the parkour mechanics, now adopted by a great variety of titles, no longer have that characteristic impact due to the novelty. However, in times when everything is working properly, assassinating the target and then launching into a daring escape on the roofs of the buildings, chased by an army of guards determined to make the skin still manages to evoke the echo of those galvanizing emotions that ten years ago they were one of the peculiar features of the production.
The Complete Package – Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection Review, Nintendo Switch
During our test for the review of Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection we have pleasantly seen how it arrives on the Nintendo Switch including all the additional content published for the respective three titles. To complete the package, Ubisoft has seen fit to include the two shorts Lineage and Embers, which are respectively the prequel and closure of the Ezio Auditore saga. As expected, however, the multiplayer modes (and related DLCs) originally present in Brotherhood and Revelations have not been included, but the collection still constitutes the perfect compendium for anyone who wants to recover and always carry this legendary trilogy with them.
A few white hairs
Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection is a more than valid opportunity to discover (or rediscover) three historical titles on Switch. If you approach these games for the first time coming from more recent chapters like Valhalla (of which you can find our review here) you might be blown away by the less refined mechanics and a bit edgy graphics, but, if you are willing to accept these compromises , know that the story of the master assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze has retained much of that charm which, in its time, made this videogame work so popular.
What do you think of it? Have you played the original titles or are you planning to do so for the first time with this collection? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechGameWorld.com for all the news dedicated to the world of video games. To buy video games at a discounted price, we recommend that you take a look at the Instant Gaming catalog.
A good collection, with some wrinkles here and there
Points in favor
- The charm of the three titles is still present …
- Game mechanics still enjoyable today …
- Two short films and all DLC included in the package
Points against
- … but you have to deal with a graphic design from another era
- … but which are still partially affected by the weight of the years