How is AC4 anyway? I liked 2 and Brotherhood but never bothered to finish them, and I couldn't stand 3. I've been thinking of getting this for Christmas, but Deus Ex is my highest 3rd party priority atm.
Well, being as I typically dont like assassins creed as a whole, 4 is by far the best in the series for me.
Assassins creed is what became of ubisofts prince of persia codebase, and while i rathered enjoyed ubisofts pop, ac.... was far too repetitive for me. Which was a fault that plauged the entire series. I typically enjoy traversing the environments, but feel that its a little too automated. And combat was an absolute joke, to the point you can get trough fights by simply slapping your genitals n the controller.
Ac4 is still an ac game, so it doesnt fix ALL the problems, but it fixes more than enough of them.
The windwaker inspired world design is a true blessing, not only is the maritime gameplay blessed (i rarely use quick travel because i enjoy sailing, sea battles, harpoon fishing, boarding and seizing etc) but the islands being self contained playgrounds improved the level design immensely, and had enough variety between islands, and the excellent sea gameplay, to keep the game from becoming a repetitve chore, if ever i started getting bored of what i was currently doing, there was a metric ton of sidequests to do, of a wide variety, with worthwhile rewards.
The land combat is still super streamlined, but naval combat is an absolute joy, simply designing ships historically accurate was all that needed to be done to ensure wonderful gameplay mechanics.
And best of all, the goofy ac story is turned down to just the right setting. Never, through the entire past side of the story, is it ruined by an overdose of the aliens but not really garbage. Its involved, and those familiar will be able to recognize it, but as its handled in ac4, its mystery is kept in tact, which is an absolute blessing. Oh, and the historical events in this one, while slightly tweaked, are very well done and sure fun for any pirate buff.
By far the best in the series for me, and will probably remain that way, as i dont see how any game that removes the naval gameplay could possibly hope to match it. I actually bought it, rather than borrowing it from a freind, i felt it was that good.