GamerNode: Reviews - Assassin's Creed II

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• Assassin's Creed II
• PlayStation 3
• Ubisoft Montreal
• Ubisoft
• November 17th, 2009

Ezio also learns to use new weapons through the deciphering of Altair's lost codices by friend and ally Leonardo da Vinci, and can use money found throughout the cities of northern Italy (and plucked from the pockets of its inhabitants) to purchase new arms and armor, poison vials, dyes for his clothing, and medicine to heal his wounds. Weapons are rated according to their strength, speed, and ability to deflect enemy attacks, and armor improves health and reduces damage, but can be damaged itself, requiring occasional repair at the blacksmith's shop. These are more than just numbers, and they influence the game's combat mechanics to varying degrees. Of particular note is the deflection rating, which subtly widens the window of opportunity players have to counter incoming strikes as it improves. Details such as this connect players to the game in a way such that they are sharing in the development of the character and directly benefiting from the newest tools at his disposal, and also motivate the player to continually perfect the art of combat... from the controller end. The game rarely fails to reach out and include players in what is happening within its virtual walls.

The concept of the assassin stronghold returns in Assassin's Creed II, but unlike the perfunctory existence of Masyaf in Assassin's Creed, the Auditore Villa is yet another aspect of the sequel that grows by the player's hand. By building upon the many shops and other, less gameplay-related establishments in the town, its value increases and Ezio is allowed to buy new items at discounted prices. The art shop, which has no ties to the core gameplay but is slyly connected to certain aspects of the conspiracy theory plot, offers up a great many real paintings from the era in question, as well. Feathers found throughout the land and returned to Ezio's mother earn weapon and outfit rewards, and stone tablets from each of six hidden assassin's tomb locations in the various cities unlock special armor passed down from Altair himself. It is in these locations that old Ubisoft Montreal fans will find a vary special treat, because the environmental puzzles and swift, organized navigation of interior spaces experienced within mark a return to the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time formula sorely lacking from the newest PoP game, if only for six short -- but impressive -- segments.

Every aspect of Assassin's Creed II is seamlessly integrated into the game world and woven into the intricate story about murder, revenge, religious and political corruption, betrayal, and global conspiracy (I'm being deliberately vague in this area, because anyone reading this review should buy the game and experience it for him- or herself). Everything from the menus, to player deaths, to the mixed English and Italian dialog, to subtitles (which display both the spoken Italian and its English translation), to the ability to continue playing after the credits roll, etc. is explained through the story. Perhaps equally impressive is the painstaking detail with which real historic landmarks and personalities are cataloged in a part-fact, part-fiction database. Together with the aforementioned art shops, Assassin's Creed II uses this extensive database to take itself to a new place, where a videogame can be at least somewhat academically significant in a highly palatable and accessible (and once again, optional) way. It is simultaneously a game, a story, a history lesson, an art gallery, and an architectural archive -- no small feat -- and it is good at everything it aims to do.

Without even mentioning the minutia of combat and platforming, Assassin's Creed II is quite an impressive piece of work, and one can rest assured that the game's "puppeteering" control scheme for free-running across rooftops is smooth and liberating, while its attack, defense, counter, and newly added disarm functions in combat are precise and empowering. In all, Assassin's Creed II is simply one of the most engaging, enjoyable, rewarding, and complete videogame experiences I've ever encountered. My highest honors....

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