The Heights of Assassin's Creed - A Parkour Retrospective

[@Whitelight]

Head to www.squarespace.com/whitelight for 10% off with code "Whitelight". It feels good to return to Assassin's Creed. It will feel even better if Mirage makes this video the first part of a finished story.

[@631mustafa]

Keep it up dude , i really like your videos and you voice tone when you are mad at something in a game 🤪

[@MARKHENSTROM]

No.

[@vickysharma-gl6gv]

You replicated the monologue of the assassin's creed revelations intro extremely well, representing the state of the game and what you think about it in the same tune as Ezio did about the state of the assassin's home and his ambitions.

[@jakespacepiratee3740]

Hey, Assassins Creed Valhalla is having a Crossover event with Destiny 2, which is just a segway to ask, are you ever going to cover Destiny again? Its in a way better spot then where you last talked about it.

[@rara3538]

you should really try Sunset Overdrive, if AC's parkour is automatic then SO's parkour is manual

[@AltairStealth]

"why is this franchise so sickened by it's own potential". Beautifully written script man, really enjoyed this video. I think this is the best critique I've ever seen of AC's parkour throughout the years. Really enjoyed your script and the arguments you made, it's cool to see someone have such a deep and intimate understanding of this franchise.

[@minimimimaxiboy1]

Always love your videos and video descriptions, too! It'd be nice to see you try your hand at something similar to this, a longer-style video format.

[@godzillazfriction]

ubisoft shouldve trusted their guts and not be scared because whiney fans complaining about their issues with the parkour as well as other things thats not only parkour for AC

[@robred123s]

Literally read this as he said it lol

[@jax_wildguess]

I am not saying that the older games style was perfect, but man it had so much depth! I so miss that!

[@yutro213]

42:06

[@ogPunkcln]

"The height has never been reached" this is pretty much true for almost every Ubisoft game ever. I remember being fond of their courage (back in the day) to pursue different ideas for games, hence giving them rights over many cool IP's like AC, Tom Clancy games, and Far Cry. They had the visions for each games, but now everything has to be safe and profitable, and painfully-obviously similar to one another.

[@TheB0sss]

It's disappointing as hell, they also just stopped making other games as well, Rayman for example, legends and origins was amazing. It's all open world grindfests now

[@hawken796]

@@TheB0sss There's still stuff like Anno and other smaller series they do well

[@erichbauer3991]

I think "newer" games like rainbow six siege or for honor were pretty great and tried something new, especially for honor. Sadly over time they also morphed into the space of having to be safer and more than other games.

[@itcouldbelupus2842]

Corporations ruin all art. And protect sexual predators. Profits over people is not an ideology that encourages interesting art.

[@darthva31]

It's really disappointing. To me, recent Ubisoft games felt like so much, yet so little work has put into them at the same time. I played Odyssey and Valhalla recently. I can't lie that I enjoy exploring in both games, especially with the Discovery Tours. But at the same time, they can't commit being a full RPG about being a Spartan or a Viking because it's part of the AC franchise and some elements from that franchise have to be implemented here. Even worse, both Kassandra and Eivor barely do anything that's related to the titular Assassin's Creed. Both games could have easily be spin offs set in the same universe but they have to be part of the main games for a safe profit.

[@InkSplashInteractive]

I just spent an hour watching a guy talking about a franchise that never reached its potential and I do not regret it. Community may struggle another 15 years, but we will not stop. Great video. I hope Ubisoft sees this.

[@jonnysac77]

Was not expecting the AC3 reference lol

[@ReikiMaulana]

I feel like Ubisoft should just drop the franchise and let other actually competent game developers buy it to revive the franchise

[@mistah3687]

Good AC3 reference

[@Kervin.duant123]

“watchdogs biggest flaw is being published by ubisoft”- white light in one of his watchdogs videos also fits for assassins creed cause even how great this series was during its infancy years of ac1-black flag it could’ve been so much more then and astronomically better it is now

[@wassilylair7534]

Well we should all send email to ubi telling them to watch it. and also Whitelight's video about AC-Unity.

[@AraiiarA]

Thing about Unity is: the animations are so slick and well made, that even when Arno does something I didn't intend, I still think "yup, I totally meant to do that cool move"

[@Dian_Borisov_SW]

Unity is super enjoyable if you work around the clunk

[@noose7348]

​@@Dian_Borisov_SWit's not clunky anymore, thankfully

[@Dian_Borisov_SW]

@@noose7348 You haven't played enough, and you probably haven't played co-op

[@metalwoundnsdr8254]

That sane thing you like about it is the exact reason I almost rage quitted unity completely but it's okay I got back in and suffered through the "sorry I'm going here player ik that's not what you wanted but that's what arnos gonna do" until I beat it and I've only played it again once after that recently when he would do a little spin or jump off a building and I'm like "why are you jumping at an angle!?!?! Oh.... there was some ledge I didn't see he was aiming for.. wtf"

[@theLonelyLemnn]

@@noose7348 Trust me it still is

[@karlmannberg74]

"Why is this franchise so sickened by its own potential?" You took something i have been feeling for a long time and put it into words.

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations 🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners 🎁INBOX ME 💬

[@LazerzZ]

This is an absolute banger, you didn’t lie when you said I’d remain intact. Feels like the first genuine critical take on the mechanical side of AC I’ve seen in a WHILE. You nailed it, totally and completely nailed it, and with style too.

[@murcielagoXO]

Also the ending is fucking amazing with that callback to Ezio's letter to Cristina. Edit: CLAUDIA*, my dearest sister.

[@LazerzZ]

@@murcielagoXO absolutely, very well written conclusion to the script

[@nishikantpanda8211]

@@murcielagoXO It was Claudia

[@nishikantpanda8211]

@@murcielagoXO Cristina was dead

[@LazerzZ]

@@nishikantpanda8211 that it was, my brain auto inserted Claudia where he’d written Cristina 😂

[@Silas-Inservio-Pax]

One of the best critiques I have seen on Assassin's Creed, I hope you will see it reflected in viewership, comments or sheer enthusiasm from us fans.

[@Whitelight]

Thanks dude, hugely appreciate that.

[@jhzwwe123]

10:36 broooo 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 literally jaw dropped goosebumps lmao. I swear. Such an amazing video. Love this game so deeply, been playing it since ACB dropped 😭

[@lorddouchbag3494]

​@@jhzwwe123 then ur an og

[@takoshihitsamaru4675]

I'd take it further and say, if you ever showed this script/video to a studio, you could land a good writing job in the industry, or at least a good shot.

[@nirvikalppuri7400]

An hour of Assassin's Creed content from Whitelight? What a way to start the month

[@pinkfloydmeddle6692]

Forgot it was December

[@The_Mining_Pickaxe]

end the year.*

[@AyanS]

The amount of money I would pay for Ubisoft to watch this video. Just fkin incredible.

[@lucclavel2744]

some watch ;)

[@lolcat]

​@@lucclavel2744you for example?

[@OfficialTenKeyless]

We have eyes everywhere

[@Jenkkimie]

@Epoxygleu As much as I'd love for Ubisoft to take notes and in an ideal world make all the correct decisions, as a software developer in another company I can say that unfortunately most devs have little say in the matter. Ultimately it is for the higher ups to decide what is "worth spending resources into" and if they do not deem it necessary, no changes will happen. Unfortunately. The best we can hope for is that there is enough cause for changes for the good of the games quality for years to come.

[@OfficialTenKeyless]

@@Jenkkimie well said!

[@thatsaweirdone]

The last bit made me unbelievably sad. I even got chills. Every word in that speech hurt like arrows, yet I knew all of those were spot-on. Very well written video

[@steveweast475]

If you haven't noticed, he was paraphrasing Ezio's letter to Claudia before setting off to Masyaf

[@thatsaweirdone]

@@steveweast475 is that so? I have to check it then. It's been a while since I played Revelations

[@marocainforlife]

​@@steveweast475and just before that he was paraphrasing Ezio's death letter from embers lmao

[@LeoKRogue]

A beautiful video to listen to, backed up by solid examples. This is essentially exactly what I would make, if ever I were to approach a video just like it. Accurate praise _and_ critique of the classic system, accurate critique of the ones that came after, I just can't ask for anything more. I've never watched another discussion on Assassin's Creed movement-systems that constantly had me saying "Yes. Yes, he _gets_ it," the entire time.

[@rocklight1304]

Same!! Like he read my mind.

[@IlMemetor72]

Hey LeoK, thanks for joining in on Joe's last video yesterday. Definitely one for the books

[@josemoreu5038]

If god Leo approves. Then I shall do as well

[@Sebbir]

Kings supporting kings

[@fiel81]

Our mentor has spoken

[@Evanz111]

I put more hours into Assassins Creed 1 than any of the original trilogy and you’re correct: I had NO IDEA that vault mechanic was a thing. It looks awesome and so useful! I’m really glad you decided to make a video focusing on what was initially the coolest part of the entire series! I feel like you’re the resident expert of this series at this point.

[@BrokeAssassin]

i like that ac1 has alot of things it does not tell the player, so when you learn them you fell like a master at the game

[@renandro1019]

at first AC 1 for me is not interesting and not a good game, until i discover a parkour clip on youtube that you can side eject in First AC. that clip change every thing and since than i learn so much stuff from AC1 more then any other game.

[@chrisj320ac3]

@LeoK is that for me.

[@alexandruacatrinei1032]

and where the fk would u use that vault mechanic and for how many time u will use it in a empty game?

[@R3TR0J4N]

@@alexandruacatrinei1032 this exactly, in retorspect, the vault mechanic was underutilized.

[@RahatAzim998]

Having seen almost every whitelight video, this is his very best in my humble opinion. This is so well written and articulated that I wouldn't be surprised if they showed to this to the devs at ubisoft as a guide to what works and what doesn't in the past games. Too often video game critiques are talking in vague platitudes and generalizations. There's none of that here. Never have I seen someone make such clinically precise and accurate points.

[@hawken796]

I'm pretty sure his unity's retrospective sparked ubisoft to make mirage, or at least the million other ones

[@branpod]

“Level 3 escape makes you a sussy baka” - peak Whitelight writing

[@Jenkkimie]

It's not that the devs don't listen. This is a popular but misguided pop-culture myth. There are devs of the game series who have commented here. As a software developer myself (not in video games but equally applicable), most devs have very little input into how things ought to be made. If the product managers, higher ups or in some cases project team leads don't think it's worth investing into, then it is not a thing that will happen. People don't generally understand this because they aren't in the industry to know how projects work.

[@kakorotskywalker]

1:05:22 I love how you reference the quote from the beginning scene of Revelation as you're letting it's video and OST play. "I am weary of this fight Claudia. Not because I am tired. But because it feels like every step we take leads to further chaos." I don't remember the exact quote that Ezio said, but I love how you matched your own script with it.

[@cookie_batter72]

“I am weary of this fight, Claudia. Not because I am tired, but because our struggle seems to move in one direction only. Towards chaos.” 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@henksweers1967]

Ac 3’s movement felt so satisfying in terms of animation. It was very smooth. I loved how Connor had such quick movements and how when moving or in a fight he had a sort of low posture giving me the thought of how silent but deadly he is. I especially loved moving through the Frontier all alone and just stalking guards from tree tops with the amazing assassin robes to compliment the scene and to add to the immersion, moving slow, like a leopard creeps up on its prey.

[@TornaitSuperBird]

@Epoxygleu The last scene of Connor's last misson stuck with me. No words were needed in that final exchange before the elimination, just two men who knew what their roles were in that situation.

[@jmal]

@@TornaitSuperBird A fantastic example of "show, don't tell".

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations 🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners🎁 INBOX ME 💬

[@eduardo_o_observador]

AC3 have better animation than most of modern games, not even Black Flag or Rogue are in the same level

[@ussliberty109]

The worst parts of AC3 were the cities. Having to climb down to ground level and then climb back up the other side of the street made parkour frustrating in comparison to his fast run speed and the animations where he runs through someone's house.

[@bloodymares]

That last minute with final overview of the entire series heavily inspired by Ezio's letter to Claudia really did it for me. Wondering about what Mirage might hold for us, whether it will try to move forward armed with the knowledge of the past 15 years to become something greater... Or merely try to recreate what was lost, to re-discover the features left behind by the Ones That Came Before without learning their valuable lessons, destined to repeat their unfortunate fate.

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

Considering that they are using Valhalla's assets for Mirage, I am skeptical to say the least.

[@johananj.j8003]

Well...... If they are to move with the experience of 15 years that's bad for us, since for the past 15 years, every time they tried something innovative it didn't sell well. Also considering Assassin's creed Valhalla is the highest selling game in the franchise, their 15 years experience is not at all good for us.

[@davipenha]

yeah, such nice touch. "My story is one of many thousands and the world will not suffer if it ends too soon"

[@TheSupinesmokey]

@@johananj.j8003 highest selling needs to be put in context , the number of units/ copies of Valhalla sold is not the highest in franchise history that record is still held by AC3. Valhalla has simply generated the most revenue/ income largely from microtransactions. ''highest selling game in franchise history'' is spin or they would speak specifically of units sold

[@johananj.j8003]

@@TheSupinesmokey However you put it, it still earned the most, people are willing to pour money into it and that's only that matters to any corporate company, so that's the thing I'm pointing out. I mean I really did talk a topic, man and I gave you that sentence, which means the topic is the context.

[@Kranidos22]

So, a perfect assassin's creed game would need to have: - have multiple viable ways of transportation, with running, parkouring and environmental picks(horses, gondolas,etc) - a better key mapping system with consistent controls - complex level terrain, with relatively flat areas as the easy area, then as elevation grows it difficulty also grows + rivers need to have a perfect combinations bettwen parkourable areas and gaps so that they can create an actual challange - Timers and chasing events that actually challenges you with tight timers and fast enemy runners - The notoriety system should be 1:1 copied from AC3, a lot of enemies with fast runners after you, actual streed blockades, when you kill an enemy you maintain momentum

[@No_handle-_-]

- A level system of parkour (beginner, intermediate, advanced) With more key maps for each level - or just DAMN ENOUGH TIME Ubisoft shouldn’t hurry on finishing the masterpiece of what this franchise could be.

[@jmal]

Don't forget the most important ones: - Set in Feudal Japan - Protagonist is female and a Mary Sue (read: Ezio in a wig) - Remove the entire modern day and anything related to it (the Isu/First Civilization) - Remove all mention of Assassins and Templars - setting then moves to WW2 with Hitler as the final boss

[@josuesoto2702]

@@jmal heard that there is a assassin's Creed game and production that supposed to come out after mirage that takes place in feudal Japan. I believe it will be called assassin's Creed red

[@King_Nothing_Official]

@@josuesoto2702 *Codename Red)

[@King_Nothing_Official]

I wanted a game like this, inspired by the Assassin games: A game with the intro like Unity, combat system from AC3, stealth system and customisation from Syndicate, story similar to AC2, parkour system from Unity and AC1, and more)

[@Why477]

i couldnt have described the parkour of unity better. I keep coming back to it because of the incredible potential for those super satisfying and beautiful parkour clips even if it is only a few seconds.

[@norang3639]

I keep rememebring Unity as this fine parkour experience I had and couldn't get enough of, just to watch the video and realize that he's right: it's nowhere as wonderful as I thought and is still thinking. But every flawless short seconds I managed to have erased all the frustration accumulated in me before that. The potential filled the gap the wonky glitches left behind.

[@steveweast475]

Where's the guy that goes "umm actually Unity's parkour is perfect it's just a skill issue, that's why it looks janky bro you just need to master it"

[@R3TR0J4N]

it was solemnly focus on how grounded the freerun is hinted by the scale of the world for being an urban jungle proven how comprehensive the freerun mechanic is, was clunky but bearable.

[@Dian_Borisov_SW]

And oh my, once you get the grip of the mechanics and the game doesn't betray you it feels like a drug

[@masterinsatiable6656]

@@steveweast475 those cock fondlers are insufferable. They probably haven’t ever touched the game or only tried their hand at parkour in very specific locations in the game.

[@OSDisco]

For a video that had the most deeply critical analyses of the games, it made me appreciate and love a depth of mechanical skill I never got to see. This isn't a vicious teardown of a dusty old franchise, it's a forlorn exhibition of beautiful systems and tragically lost opportunities. It's also a show of how strong your script style is cause this paragraph's got to be the most eloquent thing I've written in a month.

[@DanielSlva]

I came to this video thinking it would be just a general recap of the parkour system, but ended up watching a brilliantly written and in depth essay about it, edited in a incredible and smooth way. Thank you for this amazingly entertaining video, couldn't agree more with what you said. You earned a new subscriber!

[@allekid]

I really miss watching free running in assassin creed games. Unity had such fluid movement that it's so fun to look at.

[@seiaka]

why'd you stop watching it? people didnt stop making parkour videos.

[@kupokinzyt]

Unity's parkour felt like garbage. Arno could literally jump 50 ft between buildings like he had robot legs or something.

[@izamanaick]

@@kupokinzyt they completely butchered any sense of weight to his climbing, theres such little groundedness. how the hell can arno scale 3 story buildings with a wallrun and 3 back ejects? ludicrous

[@aaroncohen2700]

@@izamanaick what really killed it for me was how heavy and sluggish he felt. It was like there was this small quarter second delay.

[@icarusgaming6269]

We didn't go anywhere ;)

[@anwarbojorges]

43:38 "Let me put Arno into context." Then the music hitting hard with the viewpoint of Notre Dame... just beautiful.

[@schmecklin377]

Assassins creed was actually one of the most impactful pieces of media on me as a kid. It gave me my love of rock climbing and parkour. It made me love the idea of being able to climb things.

[@gurglinghermits3043]

I became a parkour trainer about 10 years ago because of AC1 & 2. Don’t participate in the sport nearly as much as I’d like to but there’s still nothing that beats the feeling of exerting your own natural autonomy in a layered environment, either in-game or outside.

[@Ekdrink]

This n the climber made me start rock climbing

[@triplezeroxz5875]

Just realized The fact that AC has been to Rome already makes it even more clear Bayek should have gotten a trilogy. Yes we would be retreading old ground, but it would be from 2 totally different time periods. Imagine how much would have changed between Bayek's time and Ezio's time. How many parkour and social stealth mechanics they could have given Bayek for his 2nd and final games. It would essentially be what AC Mirage is looking to be now, but better.

And they could tell more of the modern day story, which I actually miss since AC3

[@5001Fergies]

The biggest appeal ac had back in the day to me was that it felt like real life parkour. The freedom to plot your route and perfect your movements to maximize speed felt exactly like real life, and captured my attention for over a decade

[@tj-co9go]

It was never 100% possible or realistic. But it was close enough that it felt like it could be

[@jcers]

Really excellent video. You hit pretty much every single nail there is to hit directly on the head. The only minor correction I have to offer is in relation to the Hookblade wallrun finishers in Revelations. The finishers trigger when specific patterns for wall height and handhold locations are met. They are relatively consistent, but they take a trained eye to recognize them and an even more trained eye to be able to do so on the fly. I’ll have to make a video explaining that sometime.

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

Jcers is it just me or is the rooftop geometry in Constantinople buggy? Ezio will drop between ledges to hang instead of clearing the gap with a jump, or he will commence a wallrun unto nothing as i am running across a slanted rooftop.

[@jcers]

Not just you. Rev is the jankiest of the Ezio games.

[@lewissharpe4695]

@@jcers make sense as it was originally meant to be a DS spin off title and was developed in a very short time span. Best story of the three ezio games however.

[@Someone-jc9zl]

I found that timing the jump button while climbing with the hook blade on those certain parkour spots initiates the parkour. You can kinda replicate it on buildings with a flat wall by using the jump button even if it's not the certain parkour spot. Edit: Holding the jump button while parkouring the hook blade climbing spots works just the same.

[@trumpflavourednugget9325]

At first I was disappointed that this video wasn't a conventional "15 years later" retrospective on AC 1 but I now see that this is much better than that would've been.

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

Man. So many KZbinrs want to make video essays without knowing how to talk about it - or even worse, without much to talk about. Here you got both. This is a very well written video and very well edited. Thank you so much, it was a pleasure to watch.

[@One.Zero.One101]

Yeah today we have so many armchair experts on film, TV shows, and video games. I didn't expect I would watch this 1 hour video in one sitting because I rarely do that. Other KZbinrs basically just want to make a rant channel for the views but very very few creators actually have the talent to make a critique and analysis.

[@R3TR0J4N]

there's why theyre called pseudo video essayist.

[@LucasDimoveo]

Never played AC, but I've done parkour for the past 7 years. It is a pleasant surprise to see a non-practitioner making an hour long video essay about our sport (even if it is in the context of a video game)

[@rivefall6845]

Brilliant video, this guys a master with his words and has us sat here watching parkour reviews from 15 year old games for a whole hour. Nobody else could manage that, these videos are masterfully worded

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners🎁INBOX ME💬

[@rift1067]

Man, I hope beyond fucking hope that at least one person actively involved in the development of Mirage (especially its movement) catch their eye on this video through whatever means and take the words to heart.

[@fantasyconnect]

The game comes out next year

[@fantasyconnect]

Game dev takes years, I'm almost certain most of that shit is near finalised

[@42crazyguy]

@@fantasyconnect much of the finished product is finalized in the last year or so of development.

[@johananj.j8003]

@@fantasyconnect Game development takes years, true, but depends on the game and company though, Assassin's creed series takes a lot less considering their engine is very much design for those games and most of the things related to Parkour are already saved as templates, I realised that in one of their dev videos for unity.

[@IndianTelephone]

You think the dev teams don't want to do these things? Its the execs that take the final decisions.

[@Littlebigun99]

The writing quality for this script is actually wild and adds an artistic note to the video which really takes it to the next level with regards to quality

[@samixalam_]

1:12 this is why I love whitelight... Wicked in depth reviews, the SMOOTHEST references to pop culture that don't feel forced, and you have a soothing voice

[@GamerPro-bb9gw]

Man, arguably one of the best reviews I've ever seen of any game... And just like you said, I had absolutely no clue about the vault mechanic in AC1, and I have finished the game two full times... I didn't play any games in the series after 3, but I truly hope Mirage can be what all the others failed to be.

[@Sen-ce6sd]

This guy always knows how to put into words exactly what is wrong and how to fix it! As a huge AC fan it's so nice to have such long, well thought out, and entertaining videos about the franchise! Thank you Whitelight! ❤

[@barneysaggers1637]

My brother in Christ, you were so captivating I even watched the sponsor segment lol. As a subscriber who’s watched plenty of your videos and the Unity one at least 7 times by this point, this is my favourite video of yours I’ve ever seen. The clinical critique mixed with your spectacular wordsmithing, intelligent humour, hilarious sarcasm and deadpan, powerful hitting delivery is on marvellous display here. Further still, you’ve managed to outline the highs and lows of every movement system and their philosophies in superb detail and depth, as well as weaving commentary on the other gameplay systems and the Assassin’s Creed fantasy as a whole into the script seamlessly, whilst also reminding us why it is exactly we loved (and hated) Assassin’s Creed in the first place. There are so many layers to this video and you’ve hit every nail on the head without missing a beat. I take my hat off to you, sir. Bravo.

[@icarusgaming6269]

In AC3 you can roll past blockades by mashing B, and it's impossible for musket fire to hit you while sprinting, adding yet another extrinsic reason to avoid the rooftops Black Flag has thieves! They don't spawn very often, but they're pretty fun to chase across the rooftops with the Kenways' less convoluted control scheme, at least until the snap detection breaks and sends you diving into the ocean 30 meters off target You can jog in the Kenway saga either by holding right trigger halfway and left stick all the way, or by holding right trigger all the way and left stick halfway. This will prevent you from accidentally engaging the parkour system as long as you don't mess up the inputs push either axis just a little too far. Kid Ratonhnhaké:ton even has a unique animation! If you play mouse and keyboard however, you're out of luck because this feature is unavailable The climb leaps in the Kenway saga are automated You can avoid side hopping by releasing high profile. The reason we call it side hop and not side eject is because of its limitations outside its maximum range and verticality. It has some legitimate advantages like more consistent stair-seeking across the same horizonal plane, but to account for every possible situation you'd need to be able to choose between both options You can recover from an accidental dive lache by releasing left stick and holding high profile to climb back up. It's slow, but it's better than wildly overshooting. Being able to choose between climbing and swinging on any NSO also adds some depth to ascents without having to rely on the janky wallruns as much I'm here to remind you that you can climb without leaping in Syndicate by releasing high profile. I know you know this because we've spoken about it before, but understandably some things slip through the cracks lol Dallin_S has been experimenting with some camera-controlled automation in Syndicate recently. It still feels wonky as hell to me, but he has enough evidence to prove he's onto something You can stop the rope launcher, and not just with an air assassination. You can cancel out with B, one of the only two ways to do anything legitimately dangerous in this game. This is where the flow comes from in Syndicate, transitioning from rope to parkour at will. You can't get it to target the object you actually want to go to in any sort of reasonable timeframe, so you get it close enough above that point, then time out a cancel to hopefully execute your plan without the training wheels getting you stuck

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

The insight of a true master

[@davidbeer5015]

The drop button in AC3 also is a good way to get down from parkouring if you play it right, and I think technically preventing it, no? Giving that little layer to discipline. I appreciate the idea of “let’s make it easier for the casual/new player to not die, while we add ways for more experienced players to take advantage of it.”

[@davidbeer5015]

(Update, no, drop does not prevent wallrunning, oh well. I only have it on the Switch and really wish I could moderate that, but alas, no analog triggers)

[@icarusgaming6269]

@@davidbeer5015 Oof, hadn't even thought of that. The high profile drop does have a lot more nuance than I went into here. You can see me pushing it to the limit in my controlled decents video, which is something I also think Whitelight would enjoy a lot

[@jonnysac77]

Jogging in the Kenway games still doesn't stop you from climbing up random objects and buildings like it used to so I don't think it's that useful

[@gabehere]

I clicked on this vide, did not notice it was one hour long until I was 10 minutes in, and then smiled ear to ear knowing that I was in good hands for the next 50 minutes love you, Whitelight

[@joaopinto2747]

Ok, very nice touch parodying Ezio’s letter to his sister from Revelations in your closing lines

[@mahuhatch2643]

Damn. This video is the reason i keep coming back to AC 1. That freedom, that success, the beauty of parkour. Thanks Whitelight for bringing me back to this nostaligic game.

[@thezackme]

that last line in context made me tear up ... for a game .. made by a greedy corporation. this is the power of entertainment content

[@K3end0]

I'm glad you went into how so much of the assassin's creed parkour exists but was never really taught. I remember playing ac1 as a child, and the parkour was a cool automatic movement thing. All this depth, all this technique, they never freaking told us? It's like designing a manual car but putting the stick behind the chair and putting an automatic one in the convenient place for it, which one did they think players were going to discover? Did they see the critic and player reviews roll in talking about the great parkour, not realising almost everyone was autorunning and not engaging with any of the actual parkour gameplay?

[@shotgunshogun4707]

Why man?...why do I always randomly get dust in my eyes whenever I watch yet another great quality documentary video by whitelight about yet another franchise that I hold dear to my heart?...this was simply brilliant...The perspective I gained on these games has given me clarity towards feeling I've experienced playing them despite never been conscious enough to acknowledge said feelings at the time since I was so wrapped up in the fantasy as u already mentioned...I've no expectations for mirage...not because I don't want to have any, but rather I want to remember assasins creed with its flaws and its soul intact rather than wait for mirage to continue the desecration of AC's legacy as the last 3 have done...the simple fact is u could name those games anything but assasins creed...and no one would tell the difference 😔

[@shotgunshogun4707]

@@GMitchell2012 it's rather a mistake of typing a word or 2 on auto pilot due to the fact i had a different train of thought at that moment my dear grammer nazi friend who I'm sure took the time to fully read my comment and thus u found the need to type this bland comment that provides me with no value other than being aware of this apparently astronomical typing error that clearly needed pointing out in such a condescending manner...Next time try and point out the mistake with the correction without being a dick and thinking to urself "teehee got em".

[@hepzibah4573]

actually mirage is going back to the roots.

[@jmal]

@@hepzibah4573 So they claim.

[@ns6438]

That ending was absolutely beautiful and emotional. A great parody/ reference to the Revelations trailer.

[@aloyhorizon1454]

You writting skills never disapoints, but 1:03:52-1:04:14 is one of those quotes of yours that I'll always remember. Despite never having played a single assassin's Creed game and only knowing it from reviews, essays or Parkour videos, this one reference somehow gave me nostalgia and feels from a series that don't even know that much !

[@asat103]

34:44

[@Vermn8tr]

I have never felt more understood watching a video than watching this video. Thank you so much for making this masterpiece, I don't think there's a person who could have made this video better than you. It's such a weird thing to say, but the video about parkour systems in a video game series made me feel such a wide range emotion, it made me tear up multiple times and it was caused from both specters of emotions. AND THE ENDING!!! HOW FUCKING DARE YOU USE MY FAVORITE ASSASSIN'S CREED THEME, AND THE WRITING FROM ONE OF THE BEST SPEECHES FROM THE GAME TO HYPE ME UP FOR MIRAGE??? Seriously though, such a fantastic video, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@gurglinghermits3043]

This, 100% all of this. When he mentioned how the mechanical perspective shifted from an objective one to an artistic one was the moment I knew he truly got it. Truly captured the feelings of loving this franchise despite everything holding it back.

[@matiascandia1261]

When i realize what he was doing with that final speech i starting crying. i need a hug.

[@Vermn8tr]

!hug @Matias Candia, I feel you

[@MightyGladWrap]

"Why is this franchise so sickened by its own potential?" Leave it to Whitelight to brilliantly sum up the whole of Assassin's Creed in one simple question. The question I think about whenever I cry myself to sleep over what Assassin's Creed COULD have been.

[@rukathekid7853]

This man has unlocked eagle vision for game design

[@domonchief]

I know this video is a year old but I just wanted to say how much I loved this in depth look but also how well spoken you are. I've been recommended your videos multiple times, and shame on me for never taking the time to watch before now. Great video, bro. I plan on watching all your ac retrospectives. Subbed

[@mrgallbladder]

Can I just compliment you on your excellent ability to write a video essay? I don't know how long it takes you to write and perfect a script, but it's so clean and engaging. It's not rambly yet gets your thought across perfectly.

[@ileutur6863]

Have I played a second of AC in my life? No. Will I absolutely savor this video over a cup of coffee? Absolutely.

[@AntonAdelson]

You should try at least the first one. It's the most "pure" one of them all before they started to bloat it up with each game

[@davipenha]

unfortunately, many people who hasn't also played have an opinion about it and it's always "AC is better now". AC is philosophically worse as a game in every aspect now.

[@rocklight1304]

You have graced us with your presence once again. Good to hear you Whitelight!!! Much love brother puts some light back in my life.

[@stepkickking9868]

Whitelight with another Assassin’s Creed video? Christmas has come early boys and girls.

[@IlMemetor72]

ASSASSIN CHRISTMAS?!

[@Sentinel_White]

Eww girls don't play assassin's creed

[@Schoritzobandit]

This was outrageously good. Lots of channels have the production value and the opinions and the dedication, but the SCRIPT for this was unreal. Seriously fantastic writing, concise, so flavorful, made every point so beautifully, really can't gush enough.

[@teddys1359]

You just put everything I've ever wanted to say about Assassin's Creed in one video. Thank you so much for making this

[@myfavoritemusic2428]

I'm really glad you decided to return to AC content, I've watched your Unity video 3 times now, simply because I love the B-roll footage of you running around parkouring all over the place!

[@shira_yone]

I watch it almost monthly. Unfortunately I'm trapped high in love with Unity's potential as the ideal Assassin's Creed game with the slickest looking parkour, the best stealth got mechanically with dual equipped tools and millions of crowds to blend into, unprecedented amount of fashion customization, and a decent combat system... In theory; leaped back down to the reality caused by it's myriad of imperfections.

[@02Alex.L]

that smooth segue/transition from the sponsor to ac revelations is insanely impressive to me, fair play with the writing and adding in a sponsored segment that doesn't feel forced and way more natural to the viewer

[@venicec3310]

Straight skipped that shit

[@amonmarquis4018]

I appreciate you so much WL, there’s not a single moment on these videos that I don’t meet with a “omg I know” “holy shit I know right?” And “I’m glad there’s someone who can put all these things I know into such a sexy string of words” you verbalise literally everything I’ve ever struggled to explain to people who dislike unity, you script my mind like fucking Shakespeare. The utmost of my support and recognition is with you man honestly ❤

[@tomnotcalm9695]

This video was pure nostalgia, hearing the different soundtracks made me feel the thrill I’ve always felt at the games high points, I’ve always wanted to 100% every game, but nowadays there’s too many with the new once being way too full with mostly repetitive content… Thanks whitelight, did not expect a assassin’s creed video at this point, this video felt like taking the journey again, even as a parkour analytic video, good work!

[@JB-qd7nu]

This is without a doubt the best AC video I've ever seen. I just finished a playthrough of AC1, and everything you said is so on point and educational.

[@EmeraldEyeProductions]

1:05:22 "Not because I am tired...: Oh my fucking god. This TINY detail represents the quality of your work as a whole. The careful craft present in your writing and the editing is both fascinating and demonstrative of your passion for the subject matter. Similarly, the cut at 1:05:48 "an illusion" right as Altair disappears. Idk how you do it. If it's all thought out ahead of time, or if you have these amazing ideas as you go, and don't fear the extra work of replacing old writing and editing choices to make them come to light, but either way, I'm so glad that you do. Such an amazing video, bravo!

[@vickysharma-gl6gv]

You replicated the monologue of the assassin's creed revelations intro extremely well, representing the state of the game and what you think about it in the same tune as Ezio did about the state of the assassin's home and his ambitions.

[@MartiniBlankontherest]

No one does video essays with your level of style and gentle touch. Been rewatching a bunch of your old ones. It's too good🙏🥰

[@stanleychen2584]

its always a pleasure to binge some whitelight classics

[@hawken796]

Yup Raycevik always gets it right

[@MartiniBlankontherest]

@@hawken796 🙏🙏one of one

[@BadChase]

Whitelight is literally letting me know the reason why I still love AC1. The aimable ledge grabbing is still one of the best systems alongside Unity. God I miss it.

[@tj-co9go]

44:25 having been to Paris (2019) it is indeed quite accurate to the real atmosphere, although it has changed a lot since 1790 (mostly due to Baron Haussmann's reforms). I can say without hesitation that it is the best city map in any video game I have played. But I also feel the city of Paris is uniquely suited to parkour. French balconies, steep rooves, tight-knit building blocks etc. make it quite easy

[@MrDrowranger87]

At this point, you should teach gameplay mechanics at universities. Hat down to you sir and your good work. Please keep up with your work human race needs you

[@voidleech3465]

“social acceptance became something to respect” while connor points a bow and arrow at a family pig hahahah this is amazingly fun video. i also absolutely LOVE how you gave compositional nods to the composers by name.

[@Flugmorph]

As an AC fan, this was a fever dream of a video. A 1 hour poem.

[@stars_enthusiast]

Whitelight is among my favorite youtubers out there, and I constantly rewatch his videos because of how good the way he tells things is. And darn, that "Are they still capable? Do they still deserve the chance?" Hits really hard, and definitely makes me think back to all the AC games I've played, and to how few of them I actually enjoyed. I really wish Ubisoft would just look back at their good games and inspire themselves from those again. I wish Ubisoft would even just listen to their community again.

[@triplezeroxz5875]

"The Heights of Assassin's Creed have never been reached, and that's why it's hard to let go."- This hurts so much

[@viniciusdeoliveira7209]

Ok, this video was incredible! Well done sir!! So much depth and effort put into analyzing and thinking about the aspect of this series that made me stoked in the first place, the parkour gameplay. I remember playing the Prince of Persia trilogy, back in 2005, as a teenager, and imagining what could be next, how can they improve on this? Then 1 year later seeing the first gameplay trailer of AC and being so inspired by the possibilities, specially in the light of the new console generation. Now here we are, 15 years later, having a big picture view of everything that happened since, everything the series accomplished, and everything that never came to be, or was lost on the way, and everything we experienced playing them. Your video have bring me back some fond memories and inspirations from those years past, I really hope that AC Mirage can carry this light and inspiration forward, if not Ubisoft, maybe some other studio could.

[@Anonymongoose]

as someone whos grown up doing a lot of parkour irl, ive always appreciated how games like ac and mirrors edge just get how fun it is to just climb around on stuff and open up your eyes on the limitless traversal options when you start doing parkour.

[@KillianProse]

My favourite youtuber talking about the favourite element of some of my favourite games? Shoot this right into my veins. Edit: Great video. I do prefer the videos where you critique the mechanics of the games while following their narrative, but still, this one has a decent through-line: The missed potential of Assassin's Creed. As someone who loves the shit out of classic Creed games, the quote "Assassin's Creed never reached its full potential. It was always a franchise to be tolerated." hit really hard. It's true, this series doesn't have it's Arkham City or Far Cry 3; there is no quintessential AC game. The closest entries to that are Assassin's Creed 2 and Black Flag. I'd only recommend AC 2 for the parkour, Brotherhood only for the feel of the combat (if not the depth), Black Flag only for the naval element, and Unity only for the Stealth. There's no one game that I'd recommend for all of these elements together

[@ashlynblack1253]

Your ending speech, paralleling the words of a man resigned to continuing the journey knowing full well no end is in sight and if one was it may never satisfy, so perfectly summed up what I could never articulate. Hit me where I live 😭 Bravo.

[@alanm7838]

It is a testament to this franchise's potential that every single fan of what the old games promised, of what Assassin's Creed could have been and what nothing else has truly offered in full since, understands every word in this video. This channel and its commentaries so often bring what we all know in our hearts to life with nearly unparalleled skill, thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and eloquence. So despite the length of the analyses of this channel, they feel like captivating poems. No word is dull, no stylized introduction nor ending is pretentious. Grandeur and investment is created, not borrowed from invisible sources that feel like alchemy or, at the worst of times on this platform, trickery. This video is the best example I have found after watching at least a dozen videos. An hour and change talking about parkour systems that most people sneer at or ignore, exploring what Ubisoft has never dared to explore with the polish and depth it needed. I do not have hope that Assassin's Creed will ever reach its potential. No franchise or game is ever too far gone, but in the hands of a company like Ubisoft which is so obstinate in all they do and in what they desire, Assassin's Creed edges on that precipice. But even if Mirage is the illusion of water in the desert, that, at least, is still a light of perhaps naive hope. As you so eloquently put it, "in high spirits, prepared for the worst." I've waxed poetic about this channel and video enough. Thank you for these videos. The calm, poetic analyses brings me joy and peace about, of all things, video games more than anything else. It is an achievement, one I hope only grows.

[@clichedan7812]

It’s been a while since I’ve seen an hour long video essay and got excited to see more of the video. You always seem to keep things to the point Whitelight.

[@DanteGray]

Man these videos are always 10/10 so much effort goes into them

[@ISawABear]

i knew i was eventually goingt o get around to watching this, but i want to commend you for your choice of soundtrack in the back. i am SO happy you didn`t just go with "the main theme" everytime.

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners🎁 INBOX ME💬

[@birboartt6598]

This video was just amazingly written. You really did your research on this, and most youtubers out there do not. And also, what an amazing finish line mimicking the Ac Revelations trailer which is probably the best trailer of all ubisoft games!

[@moominfella7614]

I was losing hope of you ever making another Assassin’s creed related video, but then you post this masterpiece.

[@kupokinzyt]

AC3 has the best parkour animations of any game, being the most realistic. Afterwards, they just made everyone jump 50ft. Connor was super realistic.

[@sleeplessguardian]

maybe unity wasnt as "realistic" but unity has by FAR the best animations.

[@kupokinzyt]

@@sleeplessguardian in my opinion, no it doesnt. The only thing it did different was have Arno do a useless 360 spin everytime he hopped over a railing, thru a window or jumped down a ledge. It was the most beautiful game and even today, still holds up as what id like to think the realistic rendetion of a city weve seen, but the animations were just average.

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

@@sleeplessguardian AC3 has much better animations than Unity

[@davidbeer5015]

Connor’s movement looks and feels great to me. Once you get the hang of overruling the “safe parkour” mode using drop and jump, you can do a fair amount of movement, especially if you can get the ejects and cancel timing. I’ll be retrying the ezio trilogy here soon, so we’ll see how I feel nowadays about the difference. But I always love running around as Connor, even if I’m nowhere near as good as Jcers and LeoK.

[@ink4852]

@@kupokinzyt I agree with him that Unity had the best animations, but that's just it. I couldn't help but laugh at you pointing out Arno's annoying spins that slow things down for no reason because they really are annoying.

[@archivist_13]

The ending really captured my feelings towards Assassin's Creed now

[@TheReZisTLust]

11:50 is the feel I have towards AC

[@Ok-Runki]

1:05:20 "Not because I am tired," what a revelations quote to throw in there, at this point it does feel akin to the opening cinematic's climax. I keep replaying the old games after having "visions of Altair," inspiriration to free roam and parkour in Ezio's beautiful playgrounds throughout the games. Every new title is advertised with the "old roots," a phrase that now acts as the noose around my neck with this series, and thusly I return to essays such as this that show me how others feel the same as I do. This game just needs a passion project to come out of it, but I fear Ubusoft doesn't intend to allow it to be one.

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners 🎁 INBOX ME💬

[@waleedsyed4698]

Seeing that vault mechanic makes me want to play AC1 again with it… what a shame I found out about it 15 years later lol

[@Even_N.D.]

Yeah me too lol. I didnt know you had hidden mechanics in the parkour.

[@gibleyman]

AC1 managed to have a bad tutorial, by having a boring tutorial to teach the bare basics. And then proceeding to not teach some of the most important mechanics for no reason. Ledge grab is an example, the game simply mentions that you unlocked it, tells you that it's used by pressing off hand button, and calls it a day, absolutely no tutorial on what is probably the most crucial and useful mechanic.

[@truegamer_007]

Whitelight and Assassin's Creed, a match in heaven.

[@movement2contact]

But how will it be on Earth..? 🤔

[@truegamer_007]

@@movement2contact Eagle jump

[@movement2contact]

@@truegamer_007 Frog flight?

[@sashaantoine6182]

Clicked so damn fast - loved the unity retrospective, huge inspiration, i'll be sure to watch this 8 times over.

[@AntonAdelson]

Mate, I've been doing parkour for 14 years and teaching for 4. Your level of understanding of what makes parkour fun in games is the best I've seen! My mind is blown.

[@AntonAdelson]

By the way, also makes sense in a way that game set in Paris would have the best city parkour! (Modern parkour started in Paris suburbs)

[@kanel-2555]

in a sea of fast food like content, people scraming and loud noises mix together to keep our attention as long as posible as our attention spam keeps geting smaller, videos like these are like drops of gold, awesome video keep this quality up brother

[@jeanjigsaw]

the last bit of the video, litteraly made me cry, i played every game, and had this feeling and didn't know how to put it into words, and you just did that beautifuly. Great video

[@white6505]

these assassin's creed videos are the cherry on top of the cake

[@kassraamidi9283]

this is very well structured and easy to follow and felt like you were speaking from my soul, you characterize the feeling we all have as we get nearer to mirage so well

[@Tele.gram..Whitelight_01]

👆Wow Congratulations 🎊🎊 You have been selected among my shortlisted winners 🎁INBOX ME 💬

[@amsgamingandmusic]

Ah, yes. You've put the time and effort into making another absolutely amazing video. Time to watch literally every single other video you've ever made again as is my custom :)

[@joeisungu7902]

Bro I can’t put into words how thankful I am for the making of this video. Like the tingling but tense feeling I have all just because you put into words everything I’ve been feeling about AC for a while. I really really hope Ubisoft sees this video. The script writing in this video brings competition to Black Flag’s. So many quotables. Everything you said at the end of the video had be furiously clapping at the screen. It’s like you get me, it’s like you read my mind and we don’t even know each other. My goodness I’m just in absolue awe and shock from how great the level of mature criticism you demonstrated. Definitely one of the best videos I’ve watched this year. New subscriber.

[@wolf-xf6hf]

One of my favorite videos you’ve ever made. Full of interesting ideas, beautiful euphemisms, and dry humor with perfect dead pan delivery. It just sucks that this video is about the failures and it successes of my childhoods favorite franchise.

[@CRL033]

I became a competitive parkour athlete because of Assassin’s Creed. It flung me on a journey I’m still on today, which began by mimicking these general movements. I owe a massive part of my personal and physical development to this series. I also didn’t realize the full depth of AC1’s movement suite until this video. It’s so deep!

[@white6505]

wake up babe, new whitelight video just dropped

[@Pedro_Le_Chef]

Wake up babe, another "wake up babe" comment has been posted

[@peterlawson8040]

@@Pedro_Le_Chef wake up babe, I have no original thoughts.

[@tonybeluga2796]

fr, like go back to sleep

[@HussRisingYT]

Real

[@mortified0]

I just now learned that there was a vault mechanic in AC1 and it blew my goddamn mind. It looks SO COOL. WHY was I never told it existed!?

[@renandro1019]

Because ubi love not making a proper tutorial. side eject, back eject, catch ledge and vault are crucial move for AC1 Parkour

[@jmal]

@@renandro1019 Ubi themselves don't even know the advanced mechanics of their own games. In a devs' interview for AC2, Darby McDevitt asserted that there was no air assassination mechanic in AC1 despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary; Jade Raymond even demonstrated it at E3 (back then it was called "air-to-assasinate".)

[@PhilipOlesen]

As someone who loved 1, then played 4 several years later (and then 3, and eventually Origin, Odyssey, and Valhalla), thanks for the recap. People have recommended 2, and I now get it. Also, the pole-flip and downturn was mind-blowing.

[@zamsparkle6883]

I continue to be blown away by Whitelight's use of music timing and tone in his videos. It's always on point