But Revelations goes much deeper than it first appears, prompting one of the most complicated plots in the series so far. While hunting for the keys Ezio uncovers a Templar conspiracy, and is also tasked with overthrowing the sinister scheme. The plot is packed with more superficial twists than a soap-opera, and gets a little bogged down in its own ambition. Factor in a love-interest, a tear-jerking bromance and a multitude of warring factions and you have a narrative that demands a huge amount of attention, without ever offering enough pay-off to make it all worthwhile.
The plot gets even more complex when you consider that the keys include memories from the aforementioned Altair, filling in flash-backs from the previous protagonist's life. These short distractions provide serviceable enough diversions from the main plot, but are desperately linear — mostly prompting you to follow an NPC character while reams of dialogue are tossed at you in conversation. Fans of the original game — and the series as a whole — may find merit in these sequences. It's genuinely appealing knowing what became of Altair in his later years but, ultimately, it all feels a bit inconsequential.