Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines:
Is an action-adventure game developed exclusively for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), released in November 2009. It acts as a bridge between the first Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II, giving fans more backstory about the series' original protagonist, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.
Plot Overview
The story picks up shortly after the events of the first game. Altaïr travels from the Holy Land to the island of Cyprus to pursue the remnants of the Templar Order. His mission is to stop their resurgence and uncover their secret plans. Along the way, he encounters Maria Thorpe, a former Templar agent, who becomes a significant figure in his life.
The game explores Altaïr’s evolving philosophy, moving from a strict, order-driven mindset to a more balanced and reflective perspective—laying the groundwork for the ideological shift seen in later games.
Gameplay
Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines retains many core mechanics from the console versions, including:
- Parkour and free-running elements
- Stealth assassinations
- Counter-based combat
However, due to hardware limitations, the controls and open-world design are simplified. The game features a smaller, mission-based structure with limited crowd interactions and stealth options compared to its console counterparts.
Graphics and Performance
For a PSP title, Bloodlines was impressive at the time, pushing the limits of the handheld system. The visuals were clean, character models detailed, and environments reasonably expansive for a portable device.
Reception
Critics praised the game for trying to bring the Assassin's Creed experience to a handheld system, but it received mixed reviews overall. The controls were sometimes seen as clunky, and the lack of depth in gameplay and AI was noted. However, fans of the series appreciated the additional narrative and character development of Altaïr.
Legacy
Bloodlines is often remembered fondly by PSP owners and Assassin's Creed fans for expanding the lore of the franchise. It's one of the few titles to explore Altaïr’s journey in depth outside of the main console games and novels.
Game Screenshot
Download Link
