Summary
Ubsioft’sAssassin’s Creedseries is known for a lot of things, but most notably its engaging stealth gameplay. While some of the franchise’s more recent titles have forgone stealth in exchange for more action-oriented combat, it can’t be denied thatAssassin’s Creedestablished a mold for stealth gameplay that many other games like it have imitated. Shift Up’s action-adventure titleStellar Bladeis one game that incorporates stealth mechanics — or, rather, “ambush” mechanics — and while they don’t necessarily imitateAssassin’s Creed’s well-known formula, it’s likely Ubisoft’s longstanding franchise had some degree of influence on it.
Stellar Bladedoesn’t rely too heavily on stealth, as its parry-focused mechanics mean players are typically engaged in more fast-paced, demanding combat, especially when there isn’t an opportunity for stealth, as in the game’s boss fights. Still,Stellar Bladecan be challenging enough that players may opt for a stealthier approach to avoid confronting dangerous foes directly. In that case, they can approach an enemy from behind and ambush them to defeat them in one fell swoop. While this can sometimes result in the player attracting the attention of nearby enemies as well, it can still prove to be an effective strategy for dwindling an enemy group down to more manageable numbers. AlthoughStellar Blade’s stealth mechanics are quite different fromAssassin’s Creed’s, there is still something Ubisoft’s iconic stealth formula could learn from it.
What Assassin’s Creed Could Learn From Stellar Blade’s Stealth Mechanics
Assassin’s Creed’s Stealth Is Often Too Forgiving
WhileAssassin’s Creedis arguably responsible for popularizing stealth gameplay, its stealth mechanics are very forgiving. This could be what eventually led to its popularity, but, in comparison toStellar Blade,Assassin’s Creed’s stealth is very easy to execute. For starters, players have perhaps around a 200-degree radius to move around their opponents without being seen. This means it’s generally possible to approach an enemy from their side entirely undetected, as if they can’t see peripherally. Furthermore,eachAssassin’s Creedgametypically grants players a small window of time after being detected to assassinate an enemy, rather than preventing it altogether upon detection.
It could be thatAssassin’s Creed’s lenient stealth mechanicsare a significant part of their appeal, but increasing their challenge could also increase gameplay value by making each encounter more rewarding. Of course, this is assuming the series returns to its stealth-oriented roots, much like it showcased inAssassin’s Creed Mirage. If it does,Stellar Blademay have the answer to more challenging, less forgiving stealth mechanics to up the ante.
Stellar Blade’s Stealth Requires Precision and Strategic Placement
UnlikeAssassin’s Creed, which allows players to hide from their enemies before assassinating them,Stellar Blade’s stealthhappens on the go — even to the point that players can sprint up to their enemies and still assassinate them, rather than needing to approach them quietly. Even so, stealth maneuvers inStellar Bladeare much more demanding thanAssassin’s Creed’s. Firstly, to successfully ambush an enemy inStellar Blade, players need to be directly behind them. WhereasAssassin’s Creed’s detection radius is around 200 degrees,Stellar Blade’s base detection radius is probably closer to 20.
This ultimately results in players being more strategic about their approach, rather than simply running in and throwing caution to the wind.
Additionally, as soon as an enemy detects the player inStellar Blade, they are no longer able to ambush the enemy. InAssassin’s Creed, players generally have a brief window to assassinate an enemy after being detected, butStellar BladedisablesEVE’s ambush skillimmediately upon detection. This and a much less forgiving detection radius are the two primary ways in whichAssassin’s Creedcould look toStellar Bladefor stealth inspiration and make it a much more rewarding and believable experience.
Stellar Blade
WHERE TO PLAY
RECLAIM EARTH FOR HUMANKIND The future of humanity hangs in the balance in Stellar Blade, an all-new story-driven action adventure. Ravaged by strange, powerful creatures, Earth has been abandoned, and what is left of the decimated human race has fled to a Colony in outer space. After travelling from the Colony, 7th Airborne Squad member EVE arrives on the desolate remains of our planet with a clear-cut mission: to save humankind by reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba – the malevolent force that has devastated it. But as EVE tackles the Naytiba one-by-one, piecing together the mysteries of the past in the ruins of human civilization, she realizes that her mission is far from straightforward. In fact, almost nothing is as it seems…
