(Old review – from the original HNTDAAB) Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Ubisoft Year of Release: 2009 (2010 for PC) Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC Stealth games used to be one of...

(Old review – from the original HNTDAAB)

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft
Year of Release: 2009 (2010 for PC)
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Stealth games used to be one of my personal hates. Any game based entirely around creeping through the shadows makes the player feel like they are weak. Splinter Cell was one of the first games I could actually play and enjoy, due to the slight feel of you being the predator, not the prey. And then Ubisoft rolled out Assassin’s Creed and my hatred of stealth disappeared completely. Its social stealth is better than any other possible type and was a landmark. But it had some flaws (NO, I DON’T WANT TO FIND 400 OF THOSE BLOODY FLAGS!). And now its sequel has come bounding out of their offices with nearly all of the issues from the first game fixed. And it is rather good.

Assassin’s Creed 2 starts where Assassin’s Creed finished off, with you running away from the company of the first game. This time however, you are sent back into your memories as one of Altair’s descendant, Ezio. Instead of the Holy Land of the first game, you now chill in the streets and rivers of Italy, primarily Venice and Florence. The plotline is one of betrayal and murder as Enzio goes back to avenge his family which is (obvious spoiler you can see a mile away) executed in the start of the game. After meeting various groups which are able to help Enzio in various ways, you then set out to stop a conspiracy threatening to replace the current government in Italy. Basically it’s a pretty good story which weaves a clever conspiracy into actual history, but is a bit trippy near the end. Ezio is much more of a likeable character than Altair, who also seems more human. The fact he grows as the game progresses helps for audience to get to know him better, and see as he changes from an arrogant t*** into a mature Assassin who understands what he must do. This makes him a much better character than Altair. In fact everyone you meet is much better acted and with a better personality, from your mercenary captain uncle to the crazed genius Leonardo Da Vinci.

In regards to the gameplay, Assassin’s Creed 2 feels like a much more polished version of the original game with only a few minor tweaks. There are some new moves (such as swinging around corners) for the platforming side, while the stealth gets a few upgrades (blend isn’t a specific move anymore, you have to be in a logical position to do so and there is also a new notoriety system where if you do too much bad stuff, you will be spotted by guards too easily) while combat gets the biggest overhaul. Weapons and armour are now able to be bought, and have their own stats which take a part in combat itself, granting extra health or effecting enemies in different ways. On top of that, the timing for the defensive moves (such as the counter or the new disarms) is a bit more relaxed making combat as a whole much easier. The new gameplay feels more fluid; making pretty much everything you do look cinematic. However, the controls are still a slight issue. On top of this, Enzio’s new weapons from the dual wristblades to the gun (!) you unlock are all fun to use and change how the game plays in a big way. Well, the last one isn’t quite as useful as many of the old staples such as the throwing knives or simply sneaking up on them. There are also several groups you can now recruit to assist you in your endeavours. Mercs act as extra muscle; thieves can draw guards away from a point while courtesans can use their charms to let you slip by. These squads can make your job a bit too easy in some circumstances, but are a valued addition that are well used.

Assassin’s Creed 2 isn’t just about the missions, which are no longer simply assassination after assassination. The game now also has several side quests to fulfil. If you want to simply sit back and do something different, there are rooftop races, beat down missions, contract killings and some courier jobs which may at first sound relatively simple but in fact often have a twist, such as the target being surrounded by guards (some people have some very militant fathers) or in an unusual place. There are several tombs you have to raid throughout the plot as well, which act as self-contained tests of your combat or platforming ability requiring precise timing and jumps. The best of these is inside the dome of the Cathedral on Florence, where you have to climb to a vertigo inducing height to reach the tomb. When these sections flow they are a sight to behold. However, some of these puzzles can be annoying with one or two checkpoints at little too far apart. Finally, the game has occasional thieves and couriers that pop up, which either steal your money or provide you with a little cash bonus if you catch up with them, and several banks you must rob of important plot items which provide a good test of your infiltration skills. These side missions, as well as the various collectables you can use to upgrade your villa, give the game a huge longevity.

The graphics in Assassin’s Creed 2 are pretty good. The game is stunning making it a joy to look at. The various areas, from Florence to Forli, all have their own feeling due mainly to the lighting. Florence’s bright sunny streets show it to be a vibrant place while the dark, cloudy Venice (especially in the carnivalle sequence) is one place you want to find the tallest building and sit there, watching the light reflecting off the sea. However, the game has some issues with the character models, mainly faces which can be a little off putting. The audio is also brilliant, with a well written soundtrack and some pretty snappy lines of dialogue. However there is quite a lot of repeating sound clips used, especially when free running through the streets. There are only so many times you can take hearing “He is going to fall and kill himself” in the same voice. But apart from that it is a treat for the eyes and ears. One point to make is the fact that the game comes with all the different audio languages available so you can play the game entirely in Italian for the authentic feeling. I must point out that the PC (not reviewed) contains a draconian DRM system which requires constant and uninterrupted internet connection. I recommend you pick it up on a console if possible.

I enjoyed Assassin’s Creed 2 immensely, a lot more than I ever did with the original. It’s a game you can just sit back and enjoy playing with a compelling story, great gameplay and only a few minor flaws. With the two missing sequences as DLC, there is plenty of assassinating to do. And of course the ending leaves it open for both Assassin’s Creed 3 and some more of Ezio’s story in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. It isn’t time for Desmond (or Ezio) to hang up his blade quite yet.