Saturday, 21 Dec 2024

Assassin’s Creed Rogue

Tomorrow, Ubisoft will finally release Assassin’s Creed Rogue on PC. While the game was already available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 since November, the PC version was delayed. Perhaps Ubisoft wanted to avoid direct competition with Assassin’s Creed Unity on the same platform. However, there are reasons why playing Rogue before Unity is recommended. So, why didn’t I just play one of the last-gen versions?

Personally, I knew that Assassin’s Creed Rogue would eventually come out on PC, so I decided to wait. After playing the visually impressive Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag on PlayStation 4, I didn’t want to take a step backward for its direct follow-up. Although Ubisoft hasn’t explicitly highlighted the improvements made for the PC edition, it’s safe to assume that the platform will push performance to its limits. With my fingers crossed, I hoped that the PC port would be decent.

Finally, this weekend, I got my hands on the PC version and played it for several hours, alternating between the PC and Xbox 360 versions. The difference is staggering.

Visual Enhancements

The PC version of Rogue is visually stunning. It runs in native 1080p and offers numerous options for high-resolution textures. The implementation of anti-aliasing effectively eliminates the jagged edges that plague the old-gen consoles. The ocean, whether you’re swimming or engaging in naval warfare, looks breathtaking.

Improved Performance

Rogue now runs incredibly smoothly on PC. This is especially noticeable during normal gameplay, but it truly shines when you’re synchronizing viewpoints and the camera pans around your character. The most significant improvement is seen in the ship sequences. Previously, the water effects combined with multiple ships led to significant frame rate drops. Now, everything runs flawlessly, and the controls feel much more responsive.

Enhanced World

One notable enhancement is the longer draw distance. In the old version of Rogue, I frequently noticed vegetation popping in as I moved around on foot. However, in the PC version, this issue is greatly reduced.

Immersive Effects

The PC version of Rogue takes advantage of “god rays” and volumetric fog to enhance the game’s visuals. These effects add depth and realism to the game world. The rays of light dance across the sails of your ship as you navigate the waters, and the enhanced shadows create a sense of immersion. During battles, the smoke from your cannons adds a cinematic touch to the high seas skirmishes.

In conclusion, the PC version of Rogue was definitely worth the wait. The enhanced visuals, improved performance, and immersive effects make it the definitive edition of the game. Although I am yet to experience the full extent of the content, my initial impressions are positive. The game is mostly glitch-free, with only a minor issue of a stabbed character hovering in the air after death. Witnessing the effort put into making Rogue visually impressive makes me wonder when we’ll see a “definitive edition” for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. After all, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation eventually made its way from Vita to home consoles, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Rogue.

FAQs

  • Q: When was Assassin’s Creed Rogue released on PC?
    A: Assassin’s Creed Rogue was released on PC tomorrow, following its previous launch on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November.

  • Q: Is it necessary to play Rogue before Assassin’s Creed Unity?
    A: While not required, playing Rogue before Unity is recommended for a better understanding of the story and continuity.

  • Q: What are the improvements in the PC version of Rogue?
    A: The PC version offers enhanced visuals, improved performance, longer draw distance, and immersive effects such as “god rays” and volumetric fog.