Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines is an action-adventure game released exclusively for the PSP in 2009. It is a direct sequel to the original Assassin’s Creed (2007) and serves as a prelude to Assassin’s Creed II (2009). The game follows Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, the protagonist from the first game, as he tracks down the Templars to Cyprus, aiming to eliminate their leaders and uncover secrets related to the Apple of Eden.
Key Features:
Bridge Between Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed II:
Bloodlines acts as a bridge between the first and second Assassin’s Creed games, providing further insight into Altaïr’s character and the larger Templar conflict. It serves to deepen the lore and prepare players for the events of Assassin’s Creed II.
Story Continuation:
Set after the events of Assassin’s Creed, Bloodlines explores Altaïr’s journey to Cyprus to dismantle the Templar presence on the island and uncover more about the Templar’s pursuit of the Apple of Eden. The game delves into the continuing conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, offering more context to Altaïr’s legacy before Assassin’s Creed II.
Classic Assassin’s Creed Gameplay:
The game retains many of the key elements from the original, such as parkour, stealth kills, and a focus on free-running across the environment. Altaïr can traverse the cities of Cyprus with ease, using his parkour skills to scale buildings and avoid detection. Stealth and coming from behind remain crucial elements of gameplay, as they were in the first game.
Character Development:
Bloodlines also features a subplot about Altaïr’s complex relationship with Maria Thorpe, a former Templar who begins to question her allegiance. This relationship adds a layer of emotional depth to the story as Altaïr navigates his mission.
Simplified Gameplay for PSP:
Due to the limitations of the PSP hardware, the gameplay is simplified compared to the main entries in the Assassin’s Creed series. While it may not be as expansive, it retains the core mechanics that made the original so popular. The missions, stealth mechanics, and parkour are all scaled to fit the portable format.
