Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The immediate pleasure here is choice. You are not buying one short, self-contained adventure; you are opening a run of five full Assassin’s Creed releases, from the first game through Assassin’s Creed III. That makes the first hour feel less like starting a single game and more like committing to a long series marathon.

Starting with the original game is the sensible move, even if the temptation to jump ahead is strong. The collection’s real strength is that it lets you take the games in sequence and feel the series unfold across Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations, and III, rather than encountering them as disconnected purchases.

There is also a practical upside to the bundle’s extra-content approach. Assassin’s Creed II’s bonus material is included on disc, while the other DLC arrives through redeemable codes, and Assassin’s Creed III includes its season pass. Redeem those codes early and keep them with the box; this is the kind of collection where losing a small paper insert can put a dent in the value.

Graphics

On screen, this is five separate games rather than one newly unified production. Moving from the original Assassin’s Creed through the later included entries means seeing each release on its own terms, with no attempt to make them look like a single newly made game.

Story

This is a much better story purchase than a casual sampler. With the original game, Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations, and Assassin’s Creed III all together, you can follow the series in release order instead of arriving midway through its larger arc.

That order matters. A sequel-heavy collection asks for some patience at the start, but it also gives later entries more room to land because you have spent time with what came before. Jumping straight to the final included game may be convenient; playing through the set is more rewarding.

The anthology format also makes each title’s ending less of a stopping point and more of a reason to continue. If you enjoy getting absorbed in a long-running series rather than finishing one game and moving on, this is exactly the right kind of package.

Overall Experience

Assassin’s Creed: Anthology is at its best as a generous 2012-era collector’s set. Five games, the available DLC, a season pass for Assassin’s Creed III, a steelbook, and five lithographs make it feel like a deliberately assembled celebration rather than a barebones compilation.

The commitment is substantial. You should buy it because you want the full stretch of games, not because you only want a quick introduction to the series. There is a lot to work through, and the value rises sharply if you are willing to let the collection become your next extended gaming project.

For a fan building a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 library, this is an easy recommendation. The physical extras are worthwhile, the game selection covers a major run of the series, and the included add-ons make it more than a stack of old discs in one box.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10