Developed by Griptonite Games, Bloodlines deserves credit for simply existing. Translating the free-running mechanics and open-world density of Assassin’s Creed to the PSP was a daunting task. The hardware lacked a second analog stick, a limitation that doomed many 3D action games on the system.
While the main console sequel, Assassin’s Creed II , moved the action to Renaissance Italy and introduced Ezio Auditore, the PSP title refused to let go of the franchise’s original protagonist. Bloodlines is the direct sequel to the first Assassin’s Creed , picking up immediately after the events of Altair’s debut. psp assasins creed
However, the developers found a workaround. By mapping the camera to the face buttons (a common PSP workaround) and utilizing a heavy lock-on system for combat, they created a playable experience. While the camera could be unwieldy, the core "flow" of the game remained intact. While the main console sequel, Assassin’s Creed II
The game utilized a semi-open world structure, breaking the map of Cyprus into various districts. While it wasn't the seamless sprawling map of Jerusalem or Acre from the first game, it captured the verticality of the franchise. Scaling a high tower, synchronizing to reveal the map, and performing a Leap of Faith were all present and accounted for. The draw distance was impressive for the hardware, allowing players to see the horizon from atop a cathedral, selling the illusion of a living, breathing world. By mapping the camera to the face buttons
The game also introduced "Assault" levels, where players had to destroy specific targets within a time limit, adding a sense of urgency often missing from the main series' methodical pacing.
Bloodlines adjusted the classic formula to suit portable play. The investigations that some players found repetitive in the first game were streamlined here. The focus shifted more heavily toward action and stealth infiltration.
It also set a precedent for the franchise on handhelds. It showed that the series could thrive outside of numbered entries, paving the way for future portable hits like Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation on the PS Vita.