Hands On: Assassin’s Creed Unity’s PS5 Update Has Made Us Rethink That 5/10 Review

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Man, Assassin’s Creed Unity was a strange game. It felt like they really swung for the fences with it, trying to make it bigger and more detailed than anything they’d done before. But honestly, when it first came out, it was a mess! The technical issues were just awful, and it really let down what could have been a great experience.

When we first reviewed this game way back in November 2014 – it’s hard to believe that was so long ago! – we weren’t impressed. We gave it a 5 out of 10, and at the time, said it had potential, but was held back by too many technical problems, like annoying bugs and crashes.

That brings us to today, with the new update that lets the game run at a smooth 60 frames per second. It’s taken over ten years, but Assassin’s Creed Unity is now finally the game we hoped it would be when we first reviewed it – the same review that became quite well-known!

You can enjoy smoother, faster gameplay at 60 frames per second and a sharper 4K resolution when playing the PS4 version of the game on a PS5. It’s a great experience!

Ubisoft has a history of continuing to update its older games, and this is no different. They’ve previously released updates for titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Syndicate, and players have always been grateful for the continued support.

Unity’s latest update is generally a success. It delivers on its promises, though we’ve identified a few small problems.

You’ll definitely notice ‘pop-in’ while exploring Paris in the game – objects and characters suddenly appear as you get closer. It’s a little jarring at first, but you eventually get used to it.

What’s really noticeable is that some cutscenes still run at only 30 frames per second, which is odd. Since these scenes are created within the game itself, we’re not sure why this happens, but the sudden drop from the smoother 60fps is definitely jarring.

The move to 4K resolution really makes the game look fantastic. While objects don’t appear from very far away – if you look down from a high point, the city looks strangely empty – it’s still much easier to enjoy the game’s beautiful design.

The interiors are beautifully detailed and opulent, resembling grand estates with realistic artwork and antique furnishings. The lighting is also impressive, with sunlight streaming realistically through windows to illuminate the hallways and rooms.

I always loved how beautiful the Unity games were, especially all the little details. And honestly, Paris in that game is still one of the best cities they’ve ever created! It felt so alive and busy, it really made me think about why later Assassin’s Creed games didn’t have as many people walking around.

When it was first released, Unity was seen as a major leap forward in how Ubisoft created open-world games. Its ability to display large crowds of people was especially impressive, and it remains a technical achievement – though it’s easier to appreciate when the game runs smoothly and doesn’t slow to a crawl.

Despite the large crowds of people in the game, many characters still behave strangely. You’ll often see Parisians glitching through walls, bumping into each other, floating in the air, or even falling through the ground. Unfortunately, Ubisoft wasn’t able to fix these issues.

Unity is still worth revisiting, particularly if you miss the classic style of Assassin’s Creed games.

Unity stands out today with its continued emphasis on stealth and fluid movement. Surprisingly, even after 11 years, its parkour system remains among the best in the Assassin’s Creed series.

Part of what makes navigating Paris so fun in the game is how easily Arno can move around – the city’s tight spaces practically invite parkour! But it’s more about the feeling of movement than anything else. Arno’s animations are incredibly smooth, and his nimble, quiet movements are a welcome change from what we’ve seen in other games recently.

While Unity is enjoyable, it’s important to overlook some typical Ubisoft quirks to truly appreciate it. Specifically, the map is cluttered with an excessive number of icons, making it quite messy.

This is one of the publisher’s first attempts at using frustrating ‘live service’ tactics. Expect frequent pop-up ads trying to sell you ‘boosts’ – temporary power-ups for damage and health that you can purchase with real money. It’s incredibly annoying and exploitative.

Before we confirm our initial score of 5 out of 10, we want to emphasize that we still enjoyed playing the game.

Like we mentioned before, this game has moments of true brilliance – and it’s worth experiencing again on PS5.

Have you played Assassin’s Creed Unity on PlayStation 5 yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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2026-03-10 20:08