Assassin’s Creed II
Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
(reviewed on Xbox 360)
Game Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Game Publisher: Ubisoft
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Official Website: assassinscreed.us.ubi.com
Review Summary:
Ubisoft Montreal brings Assassin’s Creed II with vast improvements over its predecessor. The game provides a gripping storyline, excellent mission structure, gorgeous graphics and solid gameplay. Assassin’s Creed II will please fans of the first game, delivering hardly any flaws. Action fans and conspiracy theorists can’t go wrong with this game.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Assassin’s Creed II review
Assassin’s Creed II is a game sequel made in all aspects to trump its original incarnation. Many games fail to provide this type of satisfaction on their follow up. The story of Assassin’s Creed II continues with the same conspiracy theory ideas and this time around amplifies them one-hundred fold. You will become more immersed with the presentation and sheer beauty of the in-game graphics engine. The multi-layered plot, gameplay and missions will make you want to continue playing, even when you need to put down the controller.
The tale begins with Ezio Auditore, a young brash citizen of renaissance era Florence, Italy. Ezio Auditore Da Firenze is thrust into the lifestyle of an assassin, after a sudden turn of events with rival warring families leaves no other choice. Where as the first Assassin’s Creed was a tale of a arrogant Assassin reclaiming his honor, this one is solely based on revenge. It is a plot laden with purpose where the player truly grows to like the character and his objectives to lay his issues to peace.
Ubisoft Montreal has addressed many of the story’s loose-ends left unanswered from part one, and also many of the gameplay problems. Many gamers complained about the first game’s repetitiveness, in side missions and the main missions being a not-so exhilarating excuse to get to a great ending. Albeit the missions did reveal great lore to add to the grand scheme of the plot, they were not always enjoyable. The sequel to Assassin’s Creed takes a Grand Theft Auto-like approach to its mission structure this time around. No longer is it just kill "this list of characters" to finish the game, Ubisoft Montreal weaves mission into mission in an addicting way. One moment you’re discussing translating codices with Leonardo Da Vinci, the next moment trailing corrupt Templars to find more suspects in your grand investigation. Of course, assassinations will happen aplenty in this game, but they are mixed in very well with variety.
As for side missions, there are your usual repetitive ones (races, courier and assassination contracts) that are there mostly to help you earn money for your character’s use. The other side missions which I highly recommend are the Assassin’s Tomb missions, which will make you marvel at the level design and gameplay more. These missions really take the spirit of Indiana Jones to another level and the final goal of the missions will benefit players in the game later. Without getting too far into spoiler zones, I recommend the "Glyph" missions also. The "Glyph" missions really dig deep into the whole Templar vs. Assassin lore, and show you a far more complex story. While not necessary, you would be cheating yourself if you skipped this.
So it is apparent the missions and side-missions really have been improved that detractors of Assassin’s Creed part one will want to take a second look at the sequel. Another interesting addition to the game is currency usage. Players now can purchase new weapons, armor, and outfit upgrades. Also included is a doctor who will sell you medicine for use in battle (or post battle) and poison for your poisoned blade. There are plenty of new additions in this game, making gameplay far different than the first.
Assassin’s Creed II takes all the great things from its predecessor, and throws out the trash, while blending in vast improvements. Ubisoft Montreal did fans of the first game a great service by listening to their feedback and returning with an excellent sequel. This game will also put the slanderers of part one to rest. Ubisoft really took the sequel serious, putting quality over just capitalizing on the success of the original Assassin’s Creed. This is a must buy for action-adventure fans.
Assassin’s Creed II launch trailer from Ubisoft:
