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The year 2014 was a tumultuous one for Ubisoft. The highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Unity launched to widespread criticism and technical issues, leaving fans disappointed. In an attempt to appease players, Ubisoft offered Dead Kings, a free DLC for Unity owners. Does this expansion redeem the game’s troubled launch, or is it another misstep for the franchise? This review delves into the strengths and weaknesses of Dead Kings to answer that very question.

Performance Issues Plague the Underground

Before release, the smaller scale of Dead Kings‘ Saint-Denis area, compared to the sprawling city of Paris in the main game, led many to believe performance issues would be less prevalent. Unfortunately, this proved to be a false hope. The DLC suffers from many of the same technical problems that plagued Unity. Frame rate stutters and drops are frequent, sometimes plummeting to unplayable levels. This instability leads to a host of bizarre glitches, including floating objects, character models contorting, and even crashes to desktop. Certain areas consistently trigger these issues, requiring workarounds like verifying game files or even restarting the mission. These persistent problems severely impact the overall experience.

alt text describing image of graphical glitches in Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings

A Shallow Narrative and Questionable Design Choices

Beyond the technical issues, Dead Kings’ narrative also falls short. The story of Arno Dorian’s exploration of the French royal tombs lacks depth and coherence. Characters appear and disappear without making a significant impact, yet often behave with unearned importance. The introduction of the Guillotine Gun, a powerful new weapon, further disrupts the gameplay balance. While the Guillotine Gun offers a new way to approach combat, it simplifies encounters to the point of triviality. Luring enemies into a group and unleashing the gun’s devastating blast becomes the dominant strategy, eliminating any need for stealth or tactical thinking.

alt text describing Arno Dorian using the Guillotine Gun in Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings

The new enemy faction, the Raiders, are equally underwhelming. These grave robbers pose little threat, often clustering together and exhibiting poor combat skills. Fighting them feels more like dispatching hapless civilians than engaging in challenging combat.

alt text describing Arno Dorian confronting Raiders in Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings

Glimmers of Hope in a Disappointing Package

Despite its flaws, Dead Kings does offer a few redeeming qualities. Players who enjoyed the core gameplay of Unity will find some familiarity in the DLC, especially if they choose to forgo the Guillotine Gun. Exploring the atmospheric and mysterious setting of Saint-Denis can be intriguing, and the story offers glimpses into the events following the main game’s conclusion. Opportunities for stealth and leveraging rebel uprisings remain present, offering a more traditional Assassin’s Creed experience.

alt text describing the atmosphere of Saint-Denis in Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings

The inclusion of environmental puzzles within the tombs adds a welcome layer of challenge and encourages exploration. These puzzles, though infrequent, provide a refreshing break from the often repetitive combat.

alt text describing Arno Dorian exploring the environment in Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings

Conclusion

Ultimately, Assassin’s Creed Unity: Dead Kings fails to capitalize on its potential. While the atmospheric setting and puzzle elements offer fleeting moments of enjoyment, the persistent technical issues, shallow narrative, and unbalanced gameplay significantly detract from the experience. It’s a free addition to a flawed game, but doesn’t offer enough to significantly improve its overall reception. While it might offer a few hours of distraction for dedicated Unity players, it’s unlikely to win back those who were already disappointed by the base game.