Assassin's Creed is a game "based on actual events," a nice, loose term that means it can set itself in a real time and place, but ignore pesky thing like facts. Fortunately for the game, the Assassins motto is "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted," which also describes the game's storyline perfectly.

Set during the third crusade, the secret organization of the Hashshashin, more commonly known as "Assassin," isn't too happy with the way war has engulfed the Holy Land. Through several long-winded speeches, the leader of the Hashshashin plans to bring peace to the land by, ironically enough, having Altair, the top assassin, otherwise known as you, kill nine of the people responsible for the war, or so it seems.

Each assassination takes place in one of three cities, Jerusalem, Acre, or Damascus. Upon entering any city, you first suss the lay of the land and gain some perspective by climbing the nearest spire and taking it all in. This is alone is a graphical wowser; all of the cities are beautifully realized, with huge districts crafted so convincingly that the world seems lived-in by the similarly detailed crowds walking the street. And these densely crafted levels provide more than just eye candy; they're also an integral part of the acrobatic assassin's preferred mode of travel: Parkour.

For example, right from the opening sequence of Assassin's Creed, Altair is forced to escape using a series of conveniently placed pillars, flagpoles and scaffolding -- frightfully similar and/or instantly recognizable to fans of Prince of Persia, the venerable 3-d action/platform-hopping game and Creed's spiritual predecessor. Unlike that Persia, however, puzzles are not solved by finding a pre-defined sequence and following it to the end. Instead, Altair uses his nearly superhuman skill-sets of running, climbing, and jumping to make his own path. Moreover, because of the highly detailed environments, every window ledge, crack in the wall, and unassuming wicker basket become more than just a nuanced minutia, they're pops and tools for exploring, escaping, or engaging, depending on the situation.

Given Altair's line of work, he's bound to attract the unwanted attention of well, everyone, but, just like the boy scouts, the Assassins are always prepared (okay, maybe not completely like the boy scouts.) Armed with a handful of weapons, Altair combines blocks, attacks and counters to cut a path through his enemies. Unfortunately, these fights tend to drag on rather long, especially if Altair attracts the attention of a large crowd. In such cases, groups of enemies will circle him, attacking individually or waiting to be him to be dispatched in a brutally graphic cutscene that makes even the computer generated characters lose their lunch. While the combat isn't as smoothly polished as the free running Parkour bit, expertise is nonetheless gleened after a lot of practice. That is, it get smoother once you become proficient.

Assassin's Creed doesn't feature a great variety of mission types -- it's basically hit the streets, skulk around and dig up information by eavesdropping, thievery or intimidation --and none of them really call for anything more than stalking, killing, and, should you fail, escaping. But while the mechanics are the same for each, the outcomes aren't. Each missions results in different flights, fights, or deaths. Sort of a "been here, done this -- oh! But not like this!" Luckily too, if you aren't an anal/compulsive fan of the mission, sub-mission, side-quest, pick-up-a-loaf-of-bread-on-your-way-home-honey gameplay, furthering the storyline requires completing only a few core objectives before any assassination. Get 'er done. Move along. Nice.

Assassin's Creed is a world so thoroughly realized and satisfying that it doesn't just rise above its minor flaws, it leaves them slumped in the middle of a crowded bazaar as it dashes away without a sign of remorse.