The Thames is absolutely amazing, the sound ambiance is excellent. The game runs very well, better than Unity at launch, that's for sure. I had some tearing in the beginning but enabling VSync shut that off. Some framedrops, nothing as gamebreaking as it was in Unity.
My love/hate relationship with the series won't end with ACS. Better graphics than I thought (contrary to what screenshots and youtube led me to think), and once again an achievement in making a very good city (I still love Paris more, but... but the Thames! I could stand still watching the ballet of boats for minutes, in awe). Once again, half of the developers are doing an amazing job. It's weird: in AC games I sometimes have a "relationship" with some places and streets that moves me, watching people live and talk about their everyday struggles or the thing they're trying to sell.
On the other hand, terrible, terrible story, childish characters and situations (worse than Unity, in my opinion), and boring gameplay (slightly better than Unity), condemn the game to be slightly above average in the end.
But for the city alone, and the life they pumped in it, it's definitely worth the 23 euros I spent.
Totally agree with that:
[video=youtube;U8-BCm-lrcI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8-BCm-lrcI[/video]