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 spin-off game exclusive to the PlayStation Portable console. It was released worldwide on November 17, 2009.

The game follows the events of Assassin's Creed, and depicts the journey of the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad to the island of Cyprus, in order to learn more of the Templars' intentions, now under the rule of Armand Bouchart.

Though the game does not feature Desmond Miles, the interface, HUDs, and design of the game are still based on the Animus.

Gameplay

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines contains similar, if not the same, gameplay to Assassin's Creed in terms of control style, although there were minor modifications to the control scheme, due to the lack of specific keys and buttons. Some features from the previous game, such as Eagle Vision, were removed for the betterment of the controls.

Due to the system platform, the AI has been seen as somewhat inferior when compared to the first game, making combat easier and simpler. A minor addition was featured in the combat aspect of the game, allowing players to instantly assassinate a target when they are downed in combat.

Another difference between the two games is the amount of civilians present in the streets. While the first game was filled with random civilians, Bloodlines has little to no civilians, explained in-game that the civilians were in a constant state of insecurity due to the new system of governance. Still, civilians will react to Altaïr's improper behavior, such as scaling buildings, and running around the streets.

Blending was still present in Bloodlines, albeit downgraded.

Stealth in Bloodlines was downgraded, again for the reason of controls. Blending was all but removed, due to the system platform. Although scholars are still present in-game, Altaïr can no longer use them as a way to hide. Although Altaïr can still blend, it only acts as a way to safely bypass guards without raising suspicion.

Scaling the side of buildings was made easier and faster, resulting in simpler animations, again, due to the system's inferiority. High and low profile movements were still present in-game, though they were downgraded.

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. Three types of coins are present in game: Bronze, Silver and Gold, 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. The look of the area is very similar to some of the cities in the first game, going as far as having the same atmosphere. Due to the small setting, Horseback riding was removed in Bloodlines. 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.

Weapons from the previous game return in Bloodlines, such as Altaïr's sword, his short blade, throwing knives, and fists. His usage of each of the weapons is very similar to the first Assassin's Creed.

Assassinations are also similar to the first game, although the animation has been toned down to better fit the system. A new, yet very minor assassination technique has been added to the game, allowing Altaïr to pull opponents off of ledges, similar to Assassin's Creed II.

New assassination techniques were featured in Bloodlines.

Cut-scenes were changed and differed from the previous installment. In Bloodlines, cut-scenes are played through preset dialogue, with the character models acting in preset motions and gestures. Unique gestures were only present in confrontations between boss characters, such as Moloch and the Dark Oracle. Subtitles were also added to the game.

Story missions and assassinations were simplified and straightforward. 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 vital information from both his allies and enemies as each mission was cleared.

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

Despite all the downgrades, a new feature is also in this game that doesn't apply to the other games: Altaïr can now retrieve throwing knives by walking over his used ones. Since pickpocketing was removed - the only way to regain throwing knives in the first game other than returning to base- Altaïr can now reuse his throwing knives provided that the knife he threw landed on the ground or an enemy. If the knife landed on water, Altaïr could not regain them. Throwing knives may also be regained by interacting with the newly added knife box in the safehouses.

Like any other game, Bloodlines possessed errors and glitches, such as the invisible wall and plank glitch, among others. Another one of the errors was whenever Altaïr jumped up to a ledge, the game would lag.

Plot

Altaïr defeats Maria at Acre.

During the fall season of 1191, the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad has heard of the Templars' plan to depart for Cyprus. While the Templars still make preparations to leave from Acre's harbor, Altaïr leads an assault in order to intercept them and learn more.

Encountering Maria Thorpe, Robert de Sable's former steward, Altaïr subdues and takes Maria as his prisoner. As the Assassins depart the area with Maria, Altaïr hears from one of his subordinates that the Templars have recently purchased the island of Cyprus from King Richard after the fall of Isaac Comnenus' rule. Suspecting that their intentions are beyond governance, Altaïr departs for Cyprus with Maria in tow.

Altaïr then arrives at Limassol, and makes contact with Alexander, the informant mentioned by his men. Alexander would then discuss the Templars' presence with him, and devise 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 should seek Frederick the Red.

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

Altaïr arrives at Cyprus.

Fleeing to the church area, Altaïr watches 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 refuse to cooperate in searching for the murderer.

Just then, Maria arrives and pleads for safety to Bouchart, though he attributes 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 would later be intercepted and rescued by Altaïr. After regrouping by the city's harbor, Alexander helped Altaïr charter a boat for the city of Kyrenia, where Bouchart had fled. Consorting with Alexander's associate Pasha, Altaïr was able to make his way into the city with Maria.

Altaïr arrives at the city of Kyrenia, and encounters the resistance member Markos, whom helped stop Maria's escape attempt. Altaïr leaves 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 has 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 would then instruct them to make their way into the resistance safe house.

Altaïr would then return to the safe house and report to Barnabas, whom subsequently told him of a riot happening around the city due to Jonas' death. Barnabas claims that Jonas was a well-respected man, though few know of his treachery. Altaïr explains that more of the resistance are 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 returns to Barnabas, though he found that he has disappeared. Seeing Markos and Maria safe, Altaïr decides to eliminate Moloch due to the threat he poses, and infiltrates Kantara Castle. Infiltrating the castle, Altaïr deals with Moloch and escapes before he was caught.

Altaïr and Moloch in combat.

Altaïr returns to the safe house, though learns that Maria and other resistance members were taken away by the Templars. Markos attributes the discovery of their hideout to the Dark Oracle, whom 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. He would then leave the safe house to rescue Maria and the resistance members.

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 regroups with Markos to report of the men's status. With the uncertainty of the Oracle's mysticism, Altaïr decides to explore the Oracle's supposed prison at Buffavento Castle. There, he overhears Bouchart and Shalim, and makes mention of a delivery to Alexander, which Altaïr believed to be a sign of treachery. Dwelling further into the castle, Altaïr locates the Oracle and assassinates her in her cell. Afterward, he leaves the castle.

Returning to the safe house, Altaïr asks Markos for information regarding Shalim. Told very little, he tasked himself with tailing Shalim to learn more about him. Following him, Altaïr witnesses he and his men harass the citizens of Kyrenia, and takes it upon himself to liberate them. After doing so, he'd report back to Markos, and learns that he regularly confesses at a nearby church. Conversing with a monk, he sets up a meeting, but the monk was killed by a Templar assailant. Altaïr gave chase, though was only able to pick up on of the agent's belongings. Reporting to Markos, he learns that Shalim was frequently seen by the harbor, and decides to pick up where he left off and headed there.

Altaïr defeats Moloch's twin sons.

Altaïr sees a group of beautiful women meant for Shalim's entertainment, among them was Maria in disguise. Following the carriage the women rode on, Altaïr reaches Saint Hilarion Castle and prepares to infiltrate the castle in search of Shalim. Just as he locates Shalim, Altaïr sees Maria conversing with him, whom talked about the Templars' intention with the Apple. Deserted by Maria, Altaïr prepares to duel both Shalim and his twin Shahar, whom he thought was the former. Dealing with the twins, Altaïr leaves the castle and reports back to Markos. Altaïr then learns that Kyrenia has been fully liberated of the Templars, and that their fleets set sail for Limassol once more. Altaïr then leaves for Limassol.

Altaïr locates 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 learns of a recent murder committed by a Templar sergeant and leaves to interrogate him. After doing so, he was pointed to Demetris if he wanted more information. Question 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 defeats Armand Bouchart.

Unable to chase the agent, Altaïr returns to the safe house, though he only found a note from Alexander, instructing him to meet by the castle's courtyard. Doing so, he sees Alexander's corpse, and is 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 out Altaïr. The Assassin was then forced to use to utilize the Apple of Eden to drive the civilians away without casualty. The agent asked for the Apple, though as he did, he was stabbed by Maria from behind. After an argument, Maria would then inform 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.

Altaïr made his way into the Archive and arrives to the sight of Bouchart knocking Maria out. Bouchart would then mention 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. 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.

Bouchart would then engage in combat with Altaïr, but was eventually defeated. After helping Maria recover, Altaïr escapes the crumbling structure with Maria, and makes their way out before it was destroyed.

Altaïr and Maria would then discuss their future intentions by Limassol's harbor. While Maria states that her interests are sailing East for India, Altaïr ponders over his journey and understanding of the creed. Afterwards, he'd then state that he'll head East. The two would then leave the harbor together.

Development

The Limited Edition of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines.

Development of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines was announced on July 16, 2009, 6 months after Assassin's Creed II was announced, debuting on GameTrailers 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 very few details, such as the location of the game (set in Cyprus) 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 interconnectivity 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.

A limited edition was being sold, which included a white PSP, along with a UMD of the game. The package also included a voucher to download the movie Angels and Demons for free, as well as a 2 gigabyte memory stick.

Interconnectivity

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.

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.
• 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 possess a cylindrical hilt and a four sided blade.
• During the introductory cut-scene of Bloodlines, a short version of "Access the Animus," one of the first game's original scores, can be faintly heard in the background.

  

  Altaïr, writing an entry on his Codex.

• 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.
• At the end of each Memory Block (except for the sixth), a cut-scene plays where Altaïr is seen writing down his thoughts on 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.
• The Apple of Eden can be seen on Altaïr's desk while he writes the Codex pages between Memory Blocks.
• The only action present in Assassin's Creed and not in Bloodlines is the "gentle push," which is replaced by "grab."
• In each Codex entry, Altaïr wrote 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 Those Who Came Before.
  • His confrontation with Al Mualim.
  • The chaos that surrounded life, and life's purpose.
• 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.

Notes and References

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