Nothing is True

**some spoilers for the game Assassin's Creed, so read if you want some background**

Video games were not something I really cared to engage in. I liked to watch others play video games. I would observe my dad late at night when I couldn't sleep, play games such as "Call of Duty" and, at one point, "Uncharted." I was more captivated by watching the scenes unfold. This chose your own adventure that would lead to action scenes. I could have been better if I tried. Or so I thought. I ended up having the opportunity to play Assassin's Creed, starting with Altair, and I was blown away. Not only was I terrible, but the games were so much more enjoyable when you played them yourself. The game is based on some real-life places; as such, you get to explore these countries and areas you may never see in this lifetime.

Altair is an Assasin from 1191, and this game takes place in multiple cities such as Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus. The Assassin's headquarters, Masyaf Castle, is a real castle in Syria. Masyaf resides in a northwestern city in Syria. I would go in a heartbeat if I could ever travel to Syria. After playing as Altair in this castle for so long, I have nothing but respect and awe for this historical site. This video game replicates real life in a way that creates this reality in action. The art of this video game is its attention to detail. In another one of the games, the video game creators replicated Notre Dame so accurately that when it burned and needed to be rebuilt, the builders consulted with Ubisoft!

My favorite Assassin, an Italian assassin named Ezio, is an assassin you inhabit for three games during the Renaissance. You travel from Italy to Istanbul and see this man grow from a baby to an older man. An extra scene is available outside the game where you eventually see his death. In Italy, you see many historic sites; you climb the Sistine Chapel and St. Marks Basilica. Having been to Italy and missing that area, I was transported back and saw it all for the first time. At some point, you meet characters from real life, such as Machiavelli, who talks about wanting to write a book. I ended up reading that book called "The Prince," written by Macivilli in the Renaissance. I wouldn't have known about all of these tangents and situations if it weren't for this game.

Fans of the game will go to these places in real life and replicate the photos they take from the game. If you have yet to see this, it is fascinating and thought-provoking. The games themselves add mystery to your life, a mystical what if? Assassin's Creed has made me highly interested in history and finding out more. As it turns out, the Assassins were actually also very real. Which adds to the magic. Could these stories we play through as a character be based on some truth?

The games also have novels that you can read that give more details not in the games, a great accompaniment if you want more backstory on these characters. I have read almost half of the series and have fallen in love with these characters and their missions. The books sometimes answer some questions about the background and some of the characters and their intertwining narratives.

You may wonder why I have been talking about all the historical sites and the renderings in these games. As before, I stated that this game replicates real life, and isn't that what art is for? To create a narrative that is soul-catching, to provoke thoughts and engage ideas in one's mind that will not escape? I played this game, and I have been changed ever seen. This game has this mystical undertone that I will not give away here, but this causes you to question what you know. Nothing is true; everything is permitted.