Score: 7/10
Dead Kings is a worthwhile epilogue to Unity if you enjoyed Arno’s journey. It doesn’t revolutionize the formula but offers a tighter, moodier experience. The RELOADED release works fine for those who can’t access the official version, though you’re still stuck with Unity’s core technical flaws.
Should you play it?
RELOADED is a legendary warez scene group known for bypassing complex DRM. In 2014-2015, Assassin’s Creed Unity featured Uplay DRM plus an always-online requirement for certain chests and progression.
The RELOADED release did two things:
This is the crown jewel of the DLC. It is a crude, brutal weapon—a wooden rifle stock attached to a miniature guillotine blade mechanism. It fires shrapnel and explosive rounds.
It completely breaks the stealth rhythm of Unity, turning Arno into a one-man demolition squad. For players frustrated with the base game’s punishing stealth, the Guillotine Gun is cathartic therapy.
While the main game takes place in the bustling streets of Paris, Dead Kings moves the action to the gloomy, rain-soaked town of Saint-Denis. The atmosphere is markedly darker and more gothic than the base game.
The short answer: Yes. It is better than the main game.
The Atmosphere (10/10): The main game’s Paris was bright, chaotic, and overcrowded. Saint-Denis is oppressive. The developers used the DLC to experiment with lighting. The lantern is not a gimmick; you genuinely cannot see three feet in front of you without it. The sound design of dripping water, shifting bones, and distant moans creates a palpable tension absent from the base game.
The Guillotine Gun (9/10): Historically inaccurate, but emotionally accurate. When you blast a raider into a pile of femurs, you will smile. It makes the frustrating combat of Unity (where Arno dies in three hits) manageable and hilarious.
The Pacing (7/10): At roughly 4-6 hours for the main story (plus 2-3 hours for side collectibles), Dead Kings respects your time. It doesn't overstay its welcome. The main narrative—Arno learning to live with loss rather than drink himself to death—is surprisingly mature.
The Bug Factor: Because RELOADED freezes the game at a specific patch (v1.4.0 or v1.5.0), you avoid the "frame rate tanking" patches that Ubisoft later introduced. In the RELOADED version, the game runs surprisingly stable, though the classic "Arno sliding down a ladder into the void" glitch remains for nostalgia.
The specific release labeled "Assassins.Creed.Unity.Dead.Kings.DLC-RELOADED" (often found in 20+ RAR parts) includes:
The Context: The Reloaded Frontier The year was 2015. The Animus servers, often maintained by the clandestine hacker group known as "RELOADED," had unlocked a new memory sequence for the Initiate. The main simulation of Paris during the French Revolution had been unstable, plagued by glitches and unfinished textures. But this new download—the Dead Kings expansion—promised a tighter, darker, and more focused narrative. The Initiate logged in, the synchronization bar filled, and the world of 1794 bled into view.
Chapter 1: The City of Light, Extinguished Arno Dorian was a ghost. After the devastating events in Paris—the loss of Élise, his expulsion from the Brotherhood, and the collapse of the Templar Order—he sought oblivion at the bottom of a wine bottle. But the past is a persistent phantom.
Arno exiled himself to Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris. It was here, beneath the looming shadow of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, that he hoped to drink himself into an early grave. But Saint-Denis, renamed "Franciade" by the revolutionaries desperate to erase the memory of kings, was not a place of peace. The Terror had ended, but the city was occupied by "raiders"—brigands and looters scouring the crypts for the treasures of the dead monarchs.
The simulation rendered the world in stark contrast to the glittering streets of Paris. It was a land of fog, mud, and pale moonlight. Here, Arno was not an Assassin; he was a drifter. That changed when he stumbled upon a group of raiders harassing a young boy.
Chapter 2: The Boy and the Lantern Arno intervened, dispatching the looters with a brutality born of grief. The boy, Léon, was a street urchin with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue. He wasn't just a beggar; he was a patriot who believed in the promise of the Republic.
"You fight like a demon," Léon noted, dusting off his coat. "But you drink like a fool."
Léon had stumbled upon a conspiracy. The raiders, led by a former Napoleonic officer named Philippe Rose, were not just looting for gold. They were searching for an ancient artifact, hidden deep within the catacombs beneath the Basilica—the Lantern of Saint-Denis. Legend claimed it was built by Bishop Suger, a man rumored to have possessed knowledge of the Precursors.
Arno wanted no part of it. He had seen what artifacts of power did; they brought only death. But Léon was persistent. He needed the Lantern to trade for his friends' freedom. Reluctantly, dragging his guilt like a lead weight, Arno agreed to descend into the dark.
Chapter 3: The Mouth of Hell The gameplay shifted as Arno entered the underground. The RELOADED sequence highlighted the terrifying depth of the new map. The catacombs were a labyrinth of shifting sands, collapsing floors, and trapped chambers. Assassin-s Creed Unity Dead Kings DLC-RELOADED
Arno utilized the "Guillotine Gun"—a devastating hybrid of a heavy axe and a grenade launcher—to blast through sealed doors and armored raiders. The atmosphere was oppressive. The walls whispered with the voices of the dead kings of France.
In the deep dark, Arno found traces of Bishop Suger. He solved intricate light puzzles, directing beams of luminescence through mirrors, unlocking the path to the artifact. Finally, he reached the inner sanctum. There, resting on a pedestal, sat the Lantern.
It was a piece of Eden. When Arno held it, the room shimmered. The Lantern projected a three-dimensional map of the stars and the Earth, highlighting specific coordinates. It was a device of immense power and navigation.
Chapter 4: The Ambush As Arno secured the artifact, the shadows detached from the walls. Philippe Rose emerged, flanked by his elite mercenary lieutenants. They had tracked Léon and used Arno as a key to unlock the door.
"A pity you drowned your talent in wine, Assassin," Rose sneered, leveling a pistol. "The Lantern belongs to the future. To the Republic."
A chaotic battle ensued. The confined spaces of the crypt were lethal. Arno moved with a renewed purpose, not for the Creed, but to protect the boy. He used the environment—blowing up support beams to crush his enemies and utilizing the darkness to strike from the shadows.
In a final confrontation, Arno faced Rose. The officer was skilled, but Arno was driven by a cold, focused rage. He parried Rose’s heavy strike and drove his blade home. The raider fell, joining the kings in the dust of the crypt.
Chapter 5: The Choice Arno stood over the body, the Lantern humming in his hand. The power to shape the world was his. He could take it to the Assassins; he could use it to find answers about the Precursors.
But he looked at Léon. He looked at the destruction wrought by men seeking power.
"This isn't a weapon," Arno said, his voice rasping. "It's a curse."
He made a choice. He would not let this tool fall into the hands of the Templars, the Assassins, or the politicians. He decided to entrust it to the one man he knew who had the resources to hide it from history: Napoleon Bonaparte.
Epilogue: A New Dawn The memory sequence concluded with Arno leaving the catacombs. He had not rejoined the Brotherhood, nor had he forgiven himself for Élise. But the fog had lifted slightly. He had found a semblance of purpose.
In the real world, the "RELOADED" logs updated. The Initiate had successfully viewed the memory. The file closed, but the story of the boy Léon and the Assassin in the crypt remained—a testament to a time when kings were dead, but legends were born.
Status: Memory Synchronized. Session Complete.
Assassin’s Creed Unity: Dead Kings is the dark, atmospheric expansion that serves as the final chapter for Arno Dorian’s journey. Released by Ubisoft as a free DLC to compensate for the main game’s rocky launch, it takes players away from the bright streets of Paris and into the gloomy, subterranean depths of Franciade. For fans who enjoyed the core mechanics of Unity but craved a more gothic, mystery-focused experience, Dead Kings is an essential piece of the puzzle. The Setting: From Paris to the Shadows of Franciade
While the main game captures the chaos of the French Revolution, Dead Kings shifts the tone significantly. The story is set in 1794, shortly after the events of the main campaign. Arno, feeling disillusioned and weary, travels to Franciade—the burial site of French royalty.
The atmosphere here is much heavier. The city above is cramped and foggy, but the real star of the DLC is the underground. A massive network of catacombs, crypts, and ancient tunnels lies beneath the surface, filled with puzzles and a new faction of enemies known as the Raiders. This shift toward dungeon crawling gives the game a fresh feel, reminiscent of tomb raiding in earlier Assassin’s Creed titles. New Gameplay Mechanics and the Guillotine Gun
The most notable addition to Arno’s arsenal in this expansion is the Guillotine Gun. This hybrid weapon is a powerhouse: it functions as a heavy axe for close-quarters combat and a mortar for long-range explosive damage. It perfectly suits the claustrophobic environments of the crypts, allowing players to clear out groups of Raiders with a single blast.
The DLC also introduces the Lantern mechanic. Navigating the pitch-black catacombs requires Arno to keep a lantern lit to ward off swarms of rats and solve environmental puzzles. Managing your oil levels while fending off enemies adds a light layer of survival horror to the traditional stealth-action gameplay. Story and Character Development
Dead Kings provides much-needed closure for Arno. In the base game, he is often driven by impulse and romance; here, we see a more somber, contemplative version of the Assassin. The narrative centers on a mysterious artifact hidden within the royal tombs and a young boy named Léon who helps Arno find his sense of purpose again.
The plot ties into the broader Assassin’s Creed lore, touching upon Pieces of Eden and the ongoing struggle between the Assassins and Templars, without the distractions of the revolutionary politics that sometimes cluttered the main game’s script. Technical Performance and the RELOADED Release
At launch, Assassin’s Creed Unity was notorious for its technical bugs. However, by the time Dead Kings was released, many of these issues had been patched. The "RELOADED" version—a term often associated with specific digital distributions in the gaming community—refers to a stable, complete build of the game that includes all updates and the DLC content. Score: 7/10 Dead Kings is a worthwhile epilogue
Today, Unity remains one of the most visually impressive games in the series. The lighting in the Dead Kings catacombs and the sheer detail of the character models still hold up against modern titles, especially when played on high-end hardware. Why You Should Play It
If you skipped Unity during its controversial launch, Dead Kings is a reason to go back. It offers:
A Gothic Atmosphere: A refreshing change of pace from the sunny streets of Paris.
Unique Weaponry: The Guillotine Gun is arguably one of the most fun weapons in the franchise.
Classic Exploration: A return to the puzzle-heavy, tomb-focused exploration of the Ezio era.
Emotional Weight: A concluding arc that makes Arno a much more sympathetic protagonist.
Dead Kings isn't just a side mission; it’s the atmospheric finale that Arno Dorian deserved, proving that even in the darkest crypts of history, the Creed still finds a way to shine.
Return to the Shadows: Exploring the Dead Kings DLC for Assassin’s Creed Unity
The French Revolution may have cooled, but for Arno Dorian, the fire of personal loss still burns. Dead Kings , the expansion for Assassin’s Creed Unity
, takes players beyond the borders of Paris to the somber, rain-slicked streets of (modern-day Saint-Denis).
Originally intended as part of the Season Pass, Ubisoft famously released this DLC for
as a gesture of goodwill following the game’s rocky 2014 launch. Today, it remains an essential piece of the
experience, offering a darker, more atmospheric conclusion to Arno’s journey. A Darker Chapter for Arno
Set in 1794, shortly after the events of the main game, we find a grieving Arno seeking a way out of France. His ticket out? A deal with the Marquis de Sade
to retrieve an ancient manuscript hidden within the royal crypts.
The narrative is noticeably moodier than the base game. Exploring the massive underground necropolis beneath the Basilica of Saint Denis, you’ll encounter the
—a vicious new faction of grave robbers who thrive in the dark. What’s New in the Underworld? The Guillotine Gun
: The DLC's standout addition. Part heavy axe, part grenade launcher, it allows you to clear crowds with explosive force before finishing survivors in brutal melee. The Lantern Mechanic
: Much of the DLC takes place in pitch-black catacombs. You’ll need to manage your lantern to navigate, solve environmental puzzles, and scare off swarms of bats and bugs. New Side Activities : Franciade is packed with its own set of Murder Mysteries Stories of Franciade
, and puzzles similar to the Nostradamus Enigmas from Paris. How to Start Your Journey
Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings is the major story expansion to Assassin's Creed Unity
, serving as an epilogue to Arno Dorian’s journey. While "RELOADED" typically refers to a specific scene release group's version of the PC game files, the content itself focuses on a darker, more atmospheric shift from the main game's bright Parisian streets. Story and Setting RELOADED is a legendary warez scene group known
The DLC takes place in 1794, shortly after the events of the main game. A weary and cynical Arno travels to
(modern-day Saint-Denis) to find a way out of France. He is pulled into a plot involving the city's vast underground necropolis, where he must stop a group of "Raiders" from uncovering ancient secrets hidden in the royal crypts. Key Features A Darker Atmosphere:
Franciade is grittier and more somber than Paris, with a heavy emphasis on claustrophobic underground exploration. The Guillotine Gun:
A new hybrid weapon that functions as a heavy axe for melee and a mortar-style launcher for long-range explosive damage. New Enemy Archetype:
, a faction of treasure hunters who often move in swarms and can be dispersed by killing their leaders. The Lantern Mechanic:
Essential for navigating the pitch-black tunnels, solving puzzles, and fending off swarms of bats and insects. Gameplay and Access The main story missions take roughly
to complete, while achieving 100% completion (including side activities like "Sugre's Legacy" puzzles) can take up to How to Start:
Players can access the DLC by locating the "F" (Franciade) icon on the map in Paris. It becomes available after completing Sequence 4 of the main game. Returning to Paris:
You must complete the first memory of the DLC before the fast-travel icon to return to Paris appears on the Franciade map. Context of Release Originally intended as a paid expansion, Ubisoft released Dead Kings to all players as compensation for the technical issues Assassin's Creed Unity
faced at launch. The DLC is widely praised for its tighter narrative focus and the "Guillotine Gun," which added a more visceral combat style to the game. Steam Community
The Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings DLC, released by Ubisoft as a free apology for the main game's problematic launch, provides a somber, gothic-themed epilogue to Arno Dorian’s story. Set in the gloomy town of Franciade (modern-day Saint-Denis) shortly after the French Revolution, the DLC shifts focus toward underground exploration and catacomb raiding. Key Gameplay Additions
Guillotine Gun: A powerful hybrid weapon that functions as both a heavy axe and a mortar-style grenade launcher.
The Lantern: A new tool used to solve puzzles, navigate pitch-black tunnels, and scare off swarms of bats or rats.
Raider Faction: New underground enemies; killing their leader causes the rest of the group to scatter in panic.
Outposts: Strategic areas players must liberate by assassinating specific leaders, similar to outpost mechanics in other Ubisoft titles. Atmosphere & Story Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings DLC - Review Commentary
Assassin's Creed Unity: Dead Kings is the primary story expansion for Assassin's Creed Unity
, picking up the narrative shortly after the main campaign ends
. Originally intended as part of a paid season pass, Ubisoft released it for free to all players as an apology for the technical issues at the game's launch.
The "RELOADED" tag specifically refers to a popular digital release of the game and its DLC by the scene group of the same name, which bundled the expansion for PC players following its January 2015 launch. Setting and Atmosphere
The DLC shifts the setting from the bright, bustling streets of Paris to the dreary town of Saint-Denis
(formerly known as Franciade). The atmosphere is notably darker and more somber, reflecting the emotional state of a grieving Arno Dorian following the death of Elise.
could someone please explain to me why dead kings became free? 19 Sept 2022 —
Here’s a feature list for the Assassin’s Creed Unity – Dead Kings DLC (RELOADED release). This covers gameplay, story, mechanics, and technical aspects specific to the DLC and its repack/rip scene release.