Review: Assassin’s Creed 2

I generally strayed from Assassin’s Creed 2 just because the first one didn’t get great reviews. And because I am a sucker for stealth/assassination games, I didn’t want to be disappointed. So, recently I gave in and decided to give Assassin’s Creed 2 a try, and I’m glad I did.

• The presentation of the game is really well done (despite its slow start) and the design of the character is excellent. I love how your weapons are seen at all times – they don’t disappear when you sheath them.
  
• The game’s sandbox feel gives the game a big replay value – assassinations, various forms of races, large areas to explore, assassin’s tombs, etc.. Simply put, there’s a lot to do here.
• With roughly 13 chapters (two available as DLC, which don’t affect getting your Platinum trophy) the game can take some time to finish, especially if you plan on upgrading everything.
• Controls are difficult at first until you figure them out, then they become second-nature to you. (I find myself using AC2′s control schemes when playing Uncharted 2)
  
• The cut-scenes were really unique to me, using actual non-American dialogue at some points really gave it a feel that you were in Italy.
• With the ability to steal weapons, there are many different ways Ezio kills their enemies while in combat. He doesn’t stick to the same method each and every time.
• It was refreshing to play a game in an era that isn’t used much – the Renaissance era. And I like how they incorporated actual people from that era into the game.
  

• Some of the things were hard to believe. Leaps of Faith and the fact that you could blend into crowds despite your very unique attire.
• Game can be a bit too easy – Combat can be very simple. Just wait for someone to attack, counter and it’s an instant kill.
  
• While there is a lot to do, many of it is – more or less – the same that can be done the same way each and every time.
  
• The final boss battle started out fun, but ended up disappointing. I was eager to kill the man I’d been “hunting” for years, only to have it end in a rather blah way, with little challenge.
  

Postive Points: 7 | Negative Points: 4 | Total Score: +3