Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD

Liberation HD is a better way to see Aveline's story, but it's still riddled with too many issues to be enjoyable.

Sometimes stripped-down and stealthy, but mostly basic and boring, Liberation can't play in the big leagues.

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation is impressive for a handheld title — Aveline de Grandpré is a compelling and long-overdue female protagonist, and colonial New Orleans is a fresh setting, even if the Vita's hardware limits hold the experience back.

For those who've played the original version, the update has nothing new to offer except for a slight spit-and-polish and a few extra lacklustre missions. The multiplayer has been removed completely but to be honest, it'll probably not be missed. Strapping yourself back into the Animus for Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD feels like you're taking one step forward and two steps back, particularly so soon after the release of the brilliant Black Flag. However, you can't escape the feeling that Aveline de Grandpre is just getting warmed up and that by introducing her to a new audience, Ubisoft are giving fans clues on which direction this never-ending saga through time could be going. As the mystery of the Assassin's Creed universe grows, so does our anticipation, which is why we can't help but keep coming back for more.

Perhaps this is greatest compliment I can pay Liberation. This game restored my faith. Ubisoft can still produce a good Assassin's Creed game. It's a shame this wasn't the big release instead of Connor's outing. Aveline's a more interesting main character, and the story is much more personal, instead of the crazy history stroking the main series became. After thoroughly enjoying my time in New Orleans, I'm finally ready to go see what Edward Kenway has to offer.

It's clear from the start that Liberation HD is a remake of a Vita-game. Some mechanics are really interesting tough, like the costume-system, but are on the other hand poorly implemented. At the end of the day it's an interesting, but lesser Assassin's Creed.

While Liberation offers AC junkies some elements that will keep them happy for up to 15 hours, the game ultimately lacks coherent storytelling, interesting missions and memorable characters.

Fun to play, certainly, but it's the same fun you'd get from pretty much any game in the series.

Liberation was a great handheld title and its transition to console is well worth a look if you're a fan of the series and don't own a Vita. The game certainly has its flaws though; the average story and dull dialogue may quite rightly turn you away.

This console port of a handheld title feels exactly like a handheld game without any excuses.