Assassins Creed 3 Hidden Secrets DLC

The first dose of Assassin's Creed 3 DLC releases today for DLC Season Pass-holders, granting those who invested early the chance to get in on 'The Hidden Secrets.' The secrets in question may only be the various missions, outfits and weapons used as retailer exclusive content on launch day, but it's a start.

The DLC goes on sale for all platforms (except Nintendo Wii U) on December 11, so if you're an Assassin's Creed 3 fan who's unable to purchase the package today, read on for the details on what naval missions and new locations will be available soon.

Ubisoft delivered one of the largest and most varied pre-order incentive programs this year, so there is a good chance that most players will find something in 'The Hidden Secrets' that piques their interest. And while some casual observers would claim that outfits or downloadable character skins are simply cosmetic, Ubisoft has not only supported the idea of unique armor and clothing as motivation for exploration, but incorporated them into their in-game economy.

'The Hidden Secret' brings both the Captain of the Aquila outfit and the Colonial Assassin garb, wearable during free-roaming and offering appearances far more varied than those available from the New World's many general stores. The Colonial Assassin outfit comes with some history, as the uniform originally worn by the first Assassin to cross the Atlantic, John de la Tour, though not the exact one seen in Achilles' homestead cellar.

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The Captain of the Aquila outfit is not only more striking than the uniform usually worn by Connor when navigating his "Ghost of the North Seas," but can be worn off the ship as well. Both were previously available with some pre-orders, but are still sure to please many historians and nautical enthusiasts. As for the playable missions, 'The Hidden Secret' unlocks the Lost Mayan Ruins as well as two seafaring missions, the Ghost of War and A Dangerous Secret.

The Mayan content sends Connor south to the Ruins at Cerros, forcing him to navigate a crumbling temple in search of Captain Kidd's treasure. What he finds is one of the most visually impressive and memorable locations in AC3's campaign, along with an albeit brief dose of classic traversal and wall-climbing. The mission also unlocks Captain Kidd's Sawtooth Cutlass, one of the most devastating and visually terrifying weapons available in-game. The section of gameplay is one we think should be experienced by all players, so it's a shame it was locked for anyone.

The naval missions send Connor after Templar and British plots on the high seas, and anyone who read our review of Assassin's Creed 3 knows we don't need the slightest excuse to explore the waterways of North America again. The DLC adds another hour of gameplay all told, in addition to the weapons unlocked upon completing each mission.

Also included with the DLC are two multiplayer classes, the Sharpshooter and the Redcoat, with Ubisoft promising new maps and characters for "an even more expansive multiplayer experience" when the 'Battle Hardened' DLC is released later this year.

The Season Pass promised players five different DLC packages, so perceptive readers will notice that the upcoming 'Tyranny of King Washington' story line spread over three episodic releases, combined with 'The Hidden Secrets' and 'Battle Hardened' makes the selection complete. Including the unlock of all existing pre-order content as one of the five offerings to Season Pass owners may be a bit disappointing, but it's certainly not the worst use of the program we've seen.

Now that the full season of DLC for Assassin's Creed 3 has been announced, what's your view? Would you have preferred a longer season with more story-based DLC from the outset, or maybe even the PS3-exclusive Benedict Arnold mission unlocked instead?

The Assassin's Creed 3 Season Pass is available for 2400 Microsoft Points or $29.99, with 'The Hidden Secret' releasing for an undisclosed price to the public on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC December 11. A date for Nintendo Wii U has not been announced.

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