Launching in North America today and everywhere else tomorrow, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China—along with Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India and Russia—are part of a very rare breed indeed, something different from the Assassin’s Creed norm. That’s perhaps why we’re most excited, but it’s not the only reason.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China has the opportunity to set itself apart from the flagship series and reinvent some of the wheel. You know what they say: a change is as good as a vacation. We’re hoping the mechanics of China are varied enough to distract us away from the main franchise for a while.

It certainly is colourful, we’ll grant it that. Here’s hoping the Chronicles trilogy serve as sufficient distractions while we await Assassin’s Creed Victory. On the other hand, if China falls short on any particular aspects, we’re rather hoping that Ubisoft use that experience to improve India and Russia. It’s the perfect opportunity to get the formula right. Don’t mess this up by rushing them out of the door Ubisoft.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China’s artwork is some of the best we’ve seen in the franchise.