Since the majority of the games releasing in the first quarter of 2010 are sequels, I’ve been wondering something; do you feel the need to play for the first time or replay the previous release? Listening to podcasts and reading reviews of some of these titles, I have seen an overlapping trend. Reviewers and people in the games press feel the need to go back and get a feel for the prior release to see how the developer has improved. For me personally, my compulsion to go back is minimal, but I can understand some players need to have the complete story. This could not be more apparent with the recent release of EA’s Mass Effect 2. With such a complex story, the new import feature, and the widespread critical success, I can see why someone would go back to Mass Effect before starting with the sequel. Does this hamper or improve the experience for the player? I am not sure; I guess it would depend on the game itself and the time between releases.
If you think about it, there are a ton of games coming out in the next few months that will fall under this same situation. A few include Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Bioshock 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, God of War III, and recent ones were Left 4 Dead 2, Assassin’s Creed II, Mass Effect 2. I don’t really have the time to back to any of these games that I haven’t played. Let us know in the comments your plans for the future and what you have done in the past. If I have any questions, I go read up on Wikipedia and other Wiki sites. If I am reviewing a game, I will at least try out the past game, but what would you do? Is there a game that you must play before buying the sequel, give us your examples!
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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
Read the full review below.
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GameStop is offering the “Assassin’s Creed II: The Master Assassin’s Edition” for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed II game. Just like original Assassin’s Creed game came in a Limited Edition, so will Assassin’s Creed II, but this time exclusively from GameStop. The $79.99 collector’s bundle will be available for the Xbox 360 (here) and PLAYSTATION 3 (here). Here’s what you’ll find packed in the bundle:
The Assassin’s Creed II: The Master Assassin’s Edition GameStop Exclusive comes with:
- 8.5 inch Collectable Ezio Statue
- Artbook: The Art of Assassins Creed
- Premium Collectable Metal Case
- Two Exclusive, in-game maps: Palazzo Medici, Santa Maria Dei Frari
- Additional content DVD: Behind the scenes of Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II Soundtrack
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Ubisoft released the first storyline trailer for Assassin’s Creed 2. Visually, it isn’t too different from the opening to the teaser website, which showed us bits of the game in augmented reality (all the symbols are here). You will hear more about the 15th century setting, where you play within the memories of the lead character Ezio (not revealed in this trailer). Gameplay isn’t shown just yet.
See the storyline trailer for Assassin’s Creed 2 here in high quality. Watch for Assassin’s Creed 2 in Winter 2009 for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC.
UPDATE: More from Ubisoft press release on Assassin’s Creed II:
“Assassin’s Creed II is the product of over two years of intensive development by the original creative team behind the Assassin’s Creed brand. In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who’s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy. Ezio’s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassin’s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand.”
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A teaser website for Assassin’s Creed 2 is live and features a nice bit of augmented reality. There’s an opening animation with artwork from Leonardo da Vinci in the Assassin’s Creed 2 teaser page. After the animation plays, a circular symbol appears. The symbol links to a PDF, which you can print (or send it to your iPhone or other mobile device). That black and white image is what you’ll need to use to view the 3D art.
Open the menu by clicking on the ANIMUS symbol on the left side of the Assassin’s Creed 2 teaser website. Click on the first symbol on the menu and allow the Flash player to access your webcam. Hold the black and white circular symbol up to the webcam. At first you’ll get a simple polygon model. Hold the symbol the right way and you’ll see a more detailed 3D rendering of the hidden blade weapon. Looks like it’s the first bit of artwork from the game’s lead character. Four more will be unlocked in the future, so keep a lookout.
Visit the website for Assassin’s Creed 2 and check it out for yourself. Assassin’s Creed 2 is coming in early 2010 from Ubisoft.
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