I play Assassin's Creed with my kid. I'm terrible, but there's been a benefit to it.

[RandySF]

Yes, my kid and I play Assassin's Creed together. But at the same time, it's gotten him interested in history and geography. Over the course of play, he asks questions about subjects ranging from the Crusades to slavery in America and the Caribbean (making a point of course to separate fact from fiction) And we periodically take out our atlas and look at the various settings. I know, better parents than I could probably get their kids interested without playing a video game, but hey, it works here.

[Callmecrazy]

1. Good on you...

At least you engage with your kid in a manner that he is comfortable.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Good for you, my dear RandySF...

Fathers and sons have long bonded over games......this is just the way we do it now. And the fact that he asks questions about history means that he will always have a thirst for knowing the facts.

You are an excellent father! Own it, because you are. And your son is benefiting from your wisdom.

[alarimer]

3. I have enjoyed most of those games, but I can't stand AC III

The one that takes place in Boston.

I've been so disappointed and frustrated with it.

I never really thought much about the history aspects of it, but I suspect it departs from reality quite a bit.

My favorite parts were the hidden rooms and the secrets.

The weird part is that, when I watch TV or a movie that features some of the locations from the games, I imagine Ezio climbing all over them.

[cemaphonic]

4. Yeah, III is the low point of the series

Unsympathetic main character (his dad was great though - a whole game centered on him, and being aligned with the Templars probably would have made the game much better), and I thought the wilderness areas and hunting were really boring.

IV was much better, and the upcoming one looks like it will be pretty good too.

[RandySF]

6. We've had too much fun with IV.

Nothing like a pirate ship. And we are looking forward to Rogue.

[NutmegYankee]

7. I also disliked III.

IV on the other hand was a great game, like the others before III. IV also has better mouse/ keyboard controls.

[cemaphonic]

5. The attention to history is what really got me hooked on the series

Early into the 2nd game, I realized that they were setting up the 1478 assassination attempt on the Medici brothers, which is one of my favorite historical events. And then they really delivered by putting your character in the middle of that insanity.

My kids are too young for all of the violence in those games, but we like playing Kerbal Space Program together, especially since he was already interested in space.

[MrsBrady]

8. whatever it takes

My grandmother was a teacher, and I would spend much of my summers with her.

Fooled me with games, she did.

If I don't know something now, I love to go look it up to find out.
I miss her and her Encyclopedia Britannica.
When I think of her encyclopedia set, with it's perfect but often used pages,
I am reminded that that's where I found out the Windsor royals are German.

[sakabatou]

9. If only I had a PS3 or 4

I'd love to play 1 & 2. Black Flag looks great. But I have no idea where unity fits in nor this game.