Some may think that buying Assassin's Creed II over the OTHER 2 games may have been a stupid choice, but I think I did choose a fine game.
This game takes place right after the original with Desmond and Lucy escaping the Templars and meeting a few modern assassins in hiding along the way. Also, we meet another descendent of Desmond named Ezio, a young, womanizing noble in 15th-century Italy.
Storyline wise, this is a longer, more satisfying game than the original and contains more interactive cutscenes than the bland switching camera angles that were in the original. Ezio seems more human than Altaïr, with an actual personality that makes him more than just a killer-for-hire.
Gameplay wise, it has improved impressively with how you go about with the missions. The last game have you constantly riding a horse from your homebase to another town, where you had to either eavesdrop, pickpocket, interrogate or ask an informer in order to FINALLY assassinate somebody. About 15 times you had to do this. In this game, you don't have to do that; you may be able to assassinate someboby right after you find out who they are. The missions have more variety and allows you to play them without becoming repetive.
The combat system is an improvement with more weapons that can be used to take out anybody. Your main suppier will be Leonardo da Vinci, who seems like a alright person to be around, if not too friendly. The AI is competent when facing them off, leading to sometimes tough encounters with guards and targets. The crowd AI has also improved, leading to easier ways of hiding in between large groups of people and not having to deal with those f***ing beggars and crazy dudes. Sure, you may have to deal with singers that are up in your face, but walk a little faster or throw money at them and they will go away.
This is not a game for anyone who wants to play with friends, but it is definitely one of the best single-player games of the year. This should be a must have for anyone who wants to take a break from playing the OTHER 2 games for god knows how many days. Plus, CHRISTMAS, think about.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
