PS3 - Assassins Creed 2 Review

For those of you not painfully aware of the redundant nature that the first Assassins Creed's mission structure let me paraphrase it:

Recieve Target after long unskippable lecture from the Assassins guild master.

Eavesdrop to get info, beat some one up for intel, pickpocket enemies for confidential info, etc. in order to find intel on target.

Kill target.

Listen to target's confession/astonishment that you found and killed them.

Another very long lecture.

Repeat.

Now compare this to the gameplay in Assassins Creed. There is still the satisfying violence, but the missions are much more unique and seem to fit with what Ezio needs, and there is a much less formulaic feel to the story driven missions. In a sense you actually play parts of the story, instead of listening, or seeing it all unfold in front of you. Desmond also is given some new abilities, like freerunning, and not to spoil any secrets, but also the hidden blade.

I will admit, I did not listen to 85% of the dialog in the first game. There was so much filler that didn't interest me after the 28th time I sat on a bench to listen to two old robed men talk about their master, or after hearing Altair talking with his guildmaster for 20 minutes. Between all of the talking was an awesome idea for a game, and it the story was sadly typical after you got used to the animus idea.

I'm happy to say I actually listened to 99% of the dialog in the sequel. That being said I only understood about 75%. There is quite a bit of Italian, and I learned in the middle of my play time that turning on subtiles translated the Italian. You can still understand the story without the Italian, however you get to know the characters a little more, and its just nice not having things go over your head.

Maybe this is just me, but I can connect to an Italian in the renaissance much better than anyone during the Crusades (setting of original game). I'm not Italian, and I'm certainly not noble, but at the same time this period of time just resonates with me much stronger.

Not much has changed in respects to freerunning in Assassin's Creed 2. The architecture that Ezio climbs on is much more appealing astetically however the controls, and feel of the pakour is ultimately the same. I may have jumped to my doom a few more times in the sequel, however I think that may be my own fault, not the games.

Anyhow, the freerunning is still an essential part of the game. There are two noticeable differences from the first. One is that there are now enemies that can freerun quickly to catch you, and they will follow almost wherever you go, making escaping just a little more difficult. The other difference is the water. It is simple to ditch a group of gaurds by losing sight for a second, and then making a building-high dive into the canals of venice. Oh, and Ezio looks amazing when he is diving, so fearless.

Gone is the old way of receiving your weapons and upgrades: listening to some old man preach about how everything is permitted and nothing is true, and then having him restablish your rank in the Assassins Guild. Now though, since there was an economic system in this period of history, all of your upgrades will be bought from a blacksmith, including most of your ammo (Throwing knifes, smoke bombs, and bullets). To gain money, one must complete quests, pickpocket (anyone you see will have money), or find these chests that are dying to be looted.

Ultimately this system gives a much more realistic feel to Ezios arsnal. There are other shops too, including a tailor for those wanting to change out of those blood stained-white robes. I chose some ventian amber, until I acquired Altairs armor (which looks nothing like what Altair wore) (whoops! Spoiled)

Also, to add to the historical accuracy, there is a painter shop where all the 'latest' works can be purchased to boost the cities monetary value. To top it all off, there is a certain city where your uncle Mario lives (yes there is an awesome Nintendo reference) that needs renovating. By spending money to help re-build the town, more tourists come to spend money, thus increasing your income (your uncle owns the place it seems) and you also get discounts from local stores that you helped out.