Two heavyweights of the action-adventure genre clash this month in a battle to win the favor of players around the world. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Batman: Arkham Origins both depict dark heroes in an open world. We’ve carefully compared the stories, the fighting, and what they’re wearing in both titles to help you choose the best game…there can only be one winner!
The story
Edward Kenway crosses paths with some of the worst pirates in history
In Assassin ‘s Creed 4, you’ll accompany pirate Edward Kenway, embarking on an adventure that will take you on the open seas and see you crossing paths with some of the most famous pirates in history. Assassin’s Creed 4 is a bit lighter on cultural context than previous installments, but the game does at least promise an unparalleled level of freedom and thrilling adventures to boot.
On the other hand, Batman: Arkham Origins takes place in Gotham City on Christmas Eve. Black Mask – the leader of the most influential gang in the city – wants Batman’s head for the modest sum of $50 million. Like it or not, the Masked Vigilante will face the most dangerous assassins in Gotham City. This scenario promises tension and suspense, although the game never feels truly threatening.
Winner: Assassin ‘s Creed 4
Combat
Batman triumphs in unarmed combat…
Edward has perfectly mastered the art of fighting with two swords and doesn’t hesitate using guns to shorten duels. Despite a system of blocks and defensive counters similar to Batman: Arkham Origins, frantically pressing the attack button will overcome most enemies in the game. Although they don’t stand out in their complexity, the fighting in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is certainly explosive, ultra-fast and entertaining.
Batman excels in unarmed combat and can cope with any type of threat without resorting to guns. In addition, his famous Detective Mode allows him to retain the advantage in even the most complicated situations. The Dark Knight strikes his enemies with explosives, attacks from the air, or takes them completely by surprise from ventilation ducts or sewage grates. When he’s in the middle of a brawl, Batman connects combinations of devastating blows with the grace of a dancer. It’s magical to watch!
Winner: Batman: Arkham Origins
The environment
Assassin ‘s Creed 4: Black Flag is heavily loaded with idyllic landscapes …
Batman: Arkham Origins looks a bit like Assassin’s Creed 4…well, if it took place at night! Truly, it’s the darkness that sets the tone of the game. Batman strikes from darkness, spreads his wings, and drags the toughest of gangsters into terror. And I’m not even talking about the brilliant cinematics, the sound effects, and the high-flying soundtrack – all worthy of the best action movies!
Unlike the dark environments of Batman: Arkham Origins, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is in glorious Technicolor. Add to this the carefully detailed landscapes set in paradise and you have a game that looks like a postcard! The three major cities of the game (Havana, Kingston, and Nassau) vibrate with accurate dialogue accents, all reproduced with care, and your trips are accompanied by authentic sea shanties which will take you back to the best moments from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Winner: It’s a tie!
One more thing
It’s thanks to his famous gadgets that Batman can watch over Gotham City…
Where would Batman be without the Bat-Grapple, his batarangs, the Batwing, or his explosive gel? It’s thanks to all his famous gadgets that Batman can watch over Gotham City and overcome the villains! Indeed, given Batman’s futuristic arsenal, Edward Kenway’s weapons in Assassin ‘s Creed 4 seem pretty outdated and obsolete. But given the setting of Assassin’s Creed 4, Kenway uses his weapons with as much precision.
The navigation and the naval battles are the centerpieces of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. Aboard the Jackdaw, Edward moves from island to island and hones his pirate skills. Who needs gadgets when you can enhance and customize your ship’s three masts with additional cannons, faster sails, and new weapons?!
It’s also at the helm of Jackdaw where you get a real feel for the sense of freedom in the game. Set sail, go whaling, unearth a treasure chest, or board a Spanish galleon – all without meeting a single loading screen! Batman might have Batwing, but what use is a plane that can’t even fly out of Gotham City?
Winner: Assassin ‘s Creed 4
The verdict
Batman: Arkham Origins and Assassin ‘s Creed 4 are both excellent action-adventure games that guarantee you an unforgettable experience. Despite its superior combat system, Batman must admit defeat. It’s Assassin ‘s Creed that wins this particular duel with its inimitable atmosphere, lively environments, its open world, and enthralling challenges.
Original article written by Samuel Marc on Softonic FR
