Assassin’s Creed DS gameplay details: of side-scrollers, touching victims

Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles is right around the corner, but if you’re still not excited by Altair’s incarnation on the Nintendo DS, at the full article are details that will leave you drooling. It’s all about challenging Prince of Persia as the ultimate platforming side-scroller, and the assassin is looking good.

Ubisoft Montreal may have given us the freedom to climb one tower after another and explore every nook and cranny to find hidden flags, but in its Nintendo DS iteration, Assassin’s Creed is said to be a side-scrolling action game with a 3D backdrop. Fortunately, Gameloft-developed Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles sounds solid after hearing about its demo.

According to various sources, Altair on the handheld can still pull off combos by stringing light and heavy attacks together. It is also possible to block attacks, and in some cases, evasion is the only way to beat your foes.

Before you ever get into battle, the game offers a linear path with obstacles to overcome. As 2D platforming fans would guess, lots of ledges, rope swinging, collapsing platforms, and spikes are waiting. Combat, art style, and the futuristic interface over a game set in the Crusades make their return. Assassinations and the acts that lead to them, however, are more simplified and given the touch of the Stylus.

Persuasion and interrogation this time involve a minigame often compared to Elite Beat Agents, in which you apply pressure on the victim’s body by tapping circles surrounded by rings that close in and limit the time you have to succeed. One part of the minigame lets you trace a point to lead the subject’s arm to a not-so-comfortable position.

To pickpocket, you’ll be rubbing away the darkness covering the victim’s pocket to reveal objects and inside then grab what you need before time runs out. Touching the wrong object causes time to expire more quickly, so you’ll have to be precise.

Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles is scheduled for release this February 5. Only a few days bar us from getting our hands on the game, but our eyes are still peeled – if any updates surface, we’ll keep you posted so watch this space!