Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines

"I will travel to the distant land of Cyprus to dispose of the remaining Templars before they rebuild their Order and hunt us again. I am Altaïr. I am an Assassin."

―Box description.

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines is a 2009 video game for the PlayStation Portable console, and is a direct sequel to 2007's Assassin's Creed. It was released in the United States on 17 November 2009 and worldwide on 20 November of the same year.

The game follows the events of Assassin's Creed, and depicts the journey of the Levantine Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad to the island of Cyprus, in order to learn more of the Knights Templars' intentions, now under the rule of Armand Bouchart. Though the game does not feature Desmond Miles, the interface, HUDs, and game design are still based on the Animus 1.28.

Official synopsis

It has been one month since the death of Altaïr's master, Al Mualim—a once-feared Assassin who was actually a clandestine member of the Knights Templar. Now the remaining Templars are scrambling to recover what Al Mualim once possessed: the mysterious Apple of Eden, a powerful piece of ancient technology endowed with the ability to control the minds of men.

Led by the merciless Armand Bouchart, the Templar Knights have regrouped on the island of Cyprus, desperate to recover their artifact from the clutches of the Assassins and restore their order to its former peak of influence and power. Not content to wait for his enemies to strike, Altaïr decides to take the fight to them...

Gameplay

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines contains similar, if not the same, gameplay to Assassin's Creed in terms of control style, although there were modifications to the control scheme. Some features from the previous game, such as the Eagle Vision, the Gentle Push, and horseback riding were removed from the game. Blending is now only used to safely bypass guards, as Altaïr can no longer blend with scholars as a means to hide. High and low profile assassinations can still be done in the game, in addition to the new ledge assassination.

Altaïr, blending with the crowd

Taking the place of flags, a new collectible featured in the game are Templar coins, which can be used to upgrade health bars, and the amount of damage a weapon can inflict. Bronze, silver and gold coins are present, with gold holding the highest value.

Similar to the previous game, side missions are available to players, such as saving civilians from Templar soldiers, and performing specific tasks for allies of the resistance. The variety of tasks has been expanded, such as delivering letters, and intercepting couriers. In return, Altaïr will receive coins as a reward, instead of assistance from groups, as in the previous game.

With the game centered on the island of Cyprus, the setting was based on two areas: Limassol and Kyrenia. Like in the previous game, Altaïr can synchronize from high vantage points in order to map out the city. Although the map itself is already drawn out, synchronizing will provide the locations of various side-missions.

Combat in Bloodlines is likewise similar to Assassin's Creed. Weapons from the previous game return, such as Altaïr's sword, his short blade, throwing knives, and fists. In addition, throwing knives can now be reclaimed after being used on an enemy. Altaïr is now also able to instantly kill a downed enemy.

New assassination techniques were featured in Bloodlines

Story missions and assassinations have been redone. Previous ways to gather information, such as pickpocketing and eavesdropping, were removed from the game. As a replacement, missions were played in the same structure as Assassin's Creed II, with Altaïr handling one task after another and slowly gathering information from both his allies and enemies as each mission was cleared.

An in-game achievement system called accomplishments is featured in Bloodlines, which rewards players with Templar coins. Accomplishments can be earned after performing specific tasks, such as killing a set number of soldiers in a specific order, and also collecting all of the Templar coins located throughout the game world.

Plot

Altaïr defeating Maria in Acre

During the Autumn of 1191, the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad had heard of the Templars' plan to depart for Cyprus. While the Templars made preparations to leave from Acre's harbor, Altaïr led an assault in order to intercept them and learn more.

Encountering Maria Thorpe, Robert de Sablé's former stewardess, Altaïr subdued and took Maria as his prisoner. Once the Assassins departed the area with Maria, Altaïr heard from one of his subordinates that the Templars had recently purchased the island of Cyprus from King Richard, after the fall of Isaac Comnenus' rule. Suspecting that their intentions were beyond governance, Altaïr departed for Cyprus with Maria in tow.

Altaïr arrived at Limassol, and made contact with Alexander, the informant mentioned by his men. Alexander discussed the Templars' presence with him, and devised a plan to gather more information.

Altaïr consulted with Osman, a resistance spy within the Templar's ranks, and managed to lower the defenses of the Templar-controlled Limassol Castle, in order to infiltrate the castle with ease. He was also able to learn of a certain archive that the Templars were keeping a secret, though if he wanted to learn more, he would have to seek out Frederick the Red.

Altaïr entered the castle and encountered Frederick, though he gained no information before his target's death. Heading out of the structure, Altaïr saw that the safe house of the resistance had been burned to the ground by the Templars, and, after searching the area, learned of Maria's survival.

Altaïr arriving in Cyprus

Fleeing to the church area, Altaïr watched over an announcement being made by Armand Bouchart, the current Grand Master of the Templar Order, regarding the death of Frederick. Slaying Osman in the midst of his announcement, Armand threatened to tighten the grip of the government within the city if they refused to cooperate in searching for the murderer.

Just then, Maria arrived and pleaded to Bouchart for safety, though he attributed her safe escape as being in league with the Assassins. Despite her claims, Maria was taken away by Bouchart's men on the grounds of conspiring against their Order, though she was intercepted and rescued by Altaïr.

After regrouping by the city's harbor, Alexander helped Altaïr charter a boat for the city of Kyrenia, which was where Bouchart had fled. Consorting with Alexander's associate Pasha, Altaïr was able to make his way into the city with Maria.

Once Altaïr had arrived at the city of Kyrenia, he encountered the resistance member Markos, who helped stop Maria's escape attempt. Altaïr then left her to the care of Markos while he searched for the resistance leader Barnabas, the man mentioned by Alexander. Meeting with Barnabas, Altaïr was instructed to murder the claimed traitor Jonas, as his end of the deal for assistance in dealing with the Templars.

Intercepting Jonas, Altaïr learned before his target's death that the Templar figure Moloch had placed a price on both his and Maria's head. Learning of this, Altaïr made his way back to the harbor in order to ensure that she was safe. Rescuing her and Markos from harassers, Altaïr instructed them to make their way into the resistance safe house.

After this, Altaïr returned to the safe house and reported to Barnabas, who subsequently told him of a riot happening around the city due to Jonas' death. Barnabas claimed that Jonas was a well-respected man, though few knew of his treachery. Altaïr then explained that more of the resistance were making their way to the safe house, and that he should explain the situation to them.

Departing to deal with the riot, Altaïr was successful and immediately returned to Barnabas, though he found that he had disappeared. Seeing that Markos and Maria were safe, Altaïr decided to eliminate Moloch due to the threat he posed. Infiltrating Kantara Castle, Altaïr dealt with Moloch and escaped before he was caught.

Altaïr and Moloch in combat

At once, Altaïr returned to the safe house, though he learned that Maria and other resistance members were taken away by the Templars. Markos explained that the discovery of their hideout was the cause of the Dark Oracle, who was told to have mystical powers. He was also able to learn that the man he knew as Barnabas was a traitor, and that the real Barnabas was murdered before Altaïr's arrival. From there, he left the safe house to rescue Maria and the resistance members.

After successfully rescuing the men at Kyrenia's harbor, he was able to learn that Maria was taken away by Moloch's son, Shalim. After liberating the resistance members, Altaïr regrouped with Markos to report of the men's status. With the uncertainty of the Oracle's mysticism, Altaïr decided to explore the Oracle's supposed prison at Buffavento Castle. There, he overheard Bouchart and Shalim, who made mention of a delivery to Alexander, which Altaïr believed to be a sign of treachery. Dwelling further into the castle, Altaïr located the Oracle and had to assassinate her in her cell, as she attacked him in a crazed frenzy, before he left the castle.

Returning to the safe house, Altaïr asked Markos for information regarding Shalim. Told very little, he tasked himself with tailing Shalim to learn more about him. Following him, Altaïr witnessed him and his men harass the citizens of Kyrenia, and took it upon himself to liberate them. After doing so, he reported back to Markos, and learned that he regularly confessed at a nearby church. Conversing with a monk, he set up a meeting, but the monk was killed by a Templar assailant. Altaïr gave chase, though was only able to pick up one of the agent's belongings. Reporting to Markos, he learned that Shalim was frequently seen by the harbor, and decided to pick up where he left off by heading there.

Altaïr defeating Moloch's twin sons

Altaïr saw a group of beautiful women meant for Shalim's entertainment, and amongst them was Maria in disguise. Following the carriage the women rode on, Altaïr reached Saint Hilarion Castle and prepared to infiltrate the castle in search of Shalim. Just as he located Shalim, Altaïr saw Maria conversing with him, who talked about the Templars' intention with the Apple. Deserted by Maria, Altaïr prepared to duel both Shalim and his twin brother Shahar, whom he thought was the former.

Dealing with the twins, Altaïr left the castle and reported back to Markos. Altaïr learned that Kyrenia had been fully liberated of the Templars, and that their fleets set sail for Limassol once more, to which he left in pursuit.

Altaïr located the newly rebuilt safe house and rendezvoused with Alexander, who immediately branded the Assassin as a traitor, much to his surprise. Altaïr explained the chain of events to Alexander, who subsequently told him of the Templars' abuse of power. Altaïr first dealt with the captain guards, then asked several of the pirates for Bouchart's whereabouts whilst posing as a Templar messenger.

Altaïr learned of a recent murder committed by a Templar sergeant and left to interrogate him. After doing so, he was pointed to Demetris if he wanted more information. Questioning Demetris, he learned that he was the perpetrator of the murder, though he was killed by the same agent from Kyrenia before he could reveal any more.

Altaïr defeating Armand Bouchart

Unable to chase the agent, Altaïr returned to the safe house, though he only found a note from Alexander, instructing him to meet by the castle's courtyard. Doing so, he saw Alexander's corpse, and was greeted by the Templar agent, who was also the impostor of Barnabas.

The agent was able to turn the whole town against Altaïr, as a mob made their way to the courtyard ready to drive him out. With this, the Assassin was forced to utilize the Apple of Eden to drive the civilians away without casualty. After this, the agent asked for the Apple, though as he did, he was stabbed by Maria from behind.

After an argument, Maria informed Altaïr of the Archive's location, which was within the Castle premises. After dealing with a group of Templar soldiers, Altaïr proceeded into the Archive.

Arriving to the sight of Bouchart knocking Maria out, Bouchart mentioned their true plans and intentions. The Archive had existed while under Comnenus' rule, and because of his defeat by King Richard, the Archive was compromised. To prevent this, the Templars were forced to buy the island, and due to Altaïr's meddling, was also forced to liberate the artifacts out of it.

Maria and Altaïr, after escaping the Archive

After he was finished, Bouchart engaged in combat with Altaïr, but was eventually defeated. After helping Maria recover, Altaïr escaped the crumbling structure with Maria and the two of them made their way out before it was destroyed.

From there, Altaïr and Maria discussed their future intentions by Limassol's harbor. While Maria stated that her interests were sailing East for India, Altaïr pondered over his journey and understanding of the Creed. Afterwards, he too said that he would head eastwards and the two left the harbor together.

Development

Development of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines was announced on 2 June 2009 at Sony's 2009 E3 Conference with a release date set for 17 November 2009. On 16 July 2009, a trailer for the game debuted on the Assassin's Creed YouTube channel with a short cinematic placed on an image of the PlayStation Portable.

The trailer was narrated by one of the in-game bosses, Moloch, and revealed several details, such as the location of the game, and the installment's protagonist, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. The game was being developed by Ubisoft Montreal in conjunction with Griptonite Games.

It was revealed in E3 2009 that inter-connectivity between Bloodlines and Assassin's Creed II would be available, allowing players to earn bonuses on both games after connecting the PSP system to the PS3 console.

Inter-connectivity

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines has the ability to connect with the PS3 system to earn bonuses on both installments. Depending on how many Codex pages the player has collected in Assassin's Creed II, players can unlock health bonuses in Bloodlines, as well as receive upgrades for the Hidden Blade that roughly resemble the ones present in Assassin's Creed II.

Upgrade	Unlocked by	Description
Health Upgrade	Collecting Codex Pages	Increases Altaïr's health. The amount added depends on the number of Codex pages collected.
Hidden Blade Armor Plating	Collecting the 13th Codex Page	Grants Altaïr the ability to block using the Hidden Blade.
Knife-Gun	Collecting the 28th Codex Page	Grants Altaïr the ability to fire knives out of the Hidden Blade.

Release

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines released on the PlayStation Portable on 17 November 2009, 19 November, and 20 November in North America, Australia and Europe respectively, before seeing a Japan release on 23 December.

Editions

Limited Edition

• Base copy
• White PSP console
• Angels and Demons on UMD
• 2GB Memory Stick

Trivia

• Altaïr's voice in Bloodlines is different from his in Assassin's Creed, possessing a Middle Eastern accent that was not present in the previous game. This accent would later be present in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.
• While Desmond does not make a physical appearance within the game, the tutorial segment mentions the Animus user as Subject 17, Desmond's subject number.
• The design for the throwing knives has been altered. In the first game, it is simply a flat knife, but in the game, it now possesses a cylindrical hilt and a four sided blade.
• Throughout the game, Altaïr's model is rendered without the short blade's sheath on his back. This creates a minor visual glitch in the animation, causing Altaïr to reach for his back when drawing (and returning) the short blade, even though nothing is there.
• Except for the sixth Memory Block, a cut-scene played at the end of each Block depicting Altaïr writing down his thoughts in his personal journal; the journal that would later become the Codex. The exact time and date this occurs is debatable, but based on what is written in the Codex, it is more likely that he began to work on it after the events in Bloodlines, due to conflicting events.
  • However, some entries from the Codex show that Altaïr wrote entries before his time on Cyprus.
• In each Codex entry, Altaïr wrote on the following subjects, in chronological order:
  • His time with the Apple of Eden.
  • His opinion and observations about the Apple of Eden's creation and origin.
  • The common man's natural instincts that results to violence.
  • The origins and legacy of the First Civilization.
  • His confrontation with Al Mualim.
  • The chaos that surrounded life, and life's purpose.

Gallery

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  Altaïr duelling Maria
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  Maria captured by Mercenaries
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  A Templar telling Maria that she won't be allowed to travel to Cyprus with them
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  Maria and Altaïr on the ship to Kyrenia
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  Altaïr writing the Codex