|
As I suspected going in
to this originally, "Ascendance" is really just something of a sample of
the upcoming game to whet the appetite's of fans and isn't really about
telling a story as it is setting up the potential for the main arc of
the new "Assassin's Creed" game. There is a lot of foreshadowing, a lot
of storytelling and dialogue that's meant to reflect on events in the
game, teases to events about to occur, and even a cameo by a major
influential historical figure in the final scene. Admittedly I've never
played the game nor am I familiar with much the particulars so "Acsendance"
is a short film that will be polarizing to just about anyone who hasn't
played the actual game and are unaware of the sequel and its specifics.
|
In either
case we meet assassin Ezio Auditore, a man who has just
had a horrible confrontation with a vicious Spaniard and meets up with a superior
in the night to discuss his history and back story and is
provided with a new assignment that will, I assume, set the
stages for the upcoming game that's admittedly hush hush.
The animation for what it intends to accomplish is pretty
rigid and often times completely awkward, especially during
a strangulation scene, not to mention the voice work is
hammy and over the top with no real indication of who these
people are. |
|
 |
The short film is
obviously there to help the anticipation for the fans, but it really
doesn't do any favors for folks out of the loop they may want to bring
in to the fold. I appreciate the world we're seeing and what the basic
premise is about an assassin's guild bringing down major threats to
history all over the world, but otherwise I'm not entirely sure this is
an actual short film as it is just a promotion and extended cut scene
for the upcoming video game fans are eagerly awaiting. I almost don't
want to call it a short film in the end, but I assume someone out there
will adore what hints and clues this short tosses the audience as well
as the big reveal in the finale and what our mystery hero's new
assignment is.
If I ever want to feel
like an old man I just have to look up information on modern gaming and
"Ascendance" proves such a statement in the end. While the premise and
concept are marvelous and ripe for spin-offs, the short "Ascendance" is
really just one extended prologue and fan service that will appeal
exclusively to folks who play the game and are familiar with the mythos.
|
