Assassins Creed 2 (360/PS3/PC)
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IGN Preview: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/996/996039p1.html
Assassin's Creed II's Biggest Improvements
Or, how you make a great game even greater.
by Patrick Kolan, IGN AU
Australia, June 25, 2009 - All eyes were on Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II unveiling at E3 earlier this month - and with good reason. Not only was the original Assassin's a divisive game – some players loved it completely, others saw it as a rough draft – it also held a heck of a lot of potential, irrespective of polarised opinions.
After an extended session with the game at E3, we're convinced that Ubi Montreal are going to floor some jaws with Assassin's Creed II. From the story to the new weapons and inventions, here's why we think Ezio is destined for great things.
Flying Machines for Fun and Profit
The year is 1486. You are Ezio, the eagle of Venice. You live in a time of invention; the birth of new forms of art, writing and fine culture. And the beauty of a game like Assassin's Creed II is that you can twist all of this history and culture into an incredible setting for a game. To that end, the integration of the marvellous inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci is a stoke of game design genius.
We all know Da Vinci drafted prints of incredible machines of war – as well as flying machines and creations to enable human flight. Who's to say that Ubisoft can't integrate those designs straight into Assassin's Creed II? Ezio can now find Da Vinci's wings scattered around rooftops in Venice, allowing speedy – and very conspicuous – travel over long distances, using the hot air from bonfires to keep it aloft. Genius at work.
Freedom, Willy, Freedom
One of the most warranted criticisms of the original Assassin's Creed was its lack of variety. At all times it felt like you were playing in a lush world, full of breathtaking vistas and opportunities to explore – only to be hemmed in and forced to do only a handful of different tasks. These followed a pattern too, making the rigid structure all the more noticeable.
Ubisoft Montreal has addressed these concerns head on and completely revamped almost every element associated with the day-to-day assassination routine. To begin with, missions are now freeform. Some may see you escorting and protecting; others might have you stalking from a distance or pursuing your victim on-foot.
More random events will occur, too; where once you could pickpocket just about anyone in the first game, this time you yourself can fall victim to nimble fingers. If you're feeling vengeful, you can even give chase and reclaim your goods. The overall impact on the player is key, though – and Ubi is clearly working hard to make sure you're never bored or feeling restrained.
The beauty of Venice... without the smell. Bonus!
It's That Time Again
Time of day plays a big part of the daily routine in real life, so why shouldn't it be the same in the game world? Following in the footsteps of many other great open-world titles, Assassin's Creed II introduces a full day/night cycle to proceedings.
Once again, the emphasis is on variety – and this time around, some missions will only be available at night. There will also be unique events occurring at different times of day in different parts of the city, which should prove pretty interesting in terms of mission design. If nothing else, it'll give you more reason to experiment and explore the city at different times of day.
It's Kind of Stupidly Pretty
The original Assassin's Creed was a gorgeous game. It featured a vast draw distance, great animations, distinct districts and cities, and the climbing mechanic has been aped but never matched, let alone surpassed.
This time around, we're seeing what a few years of research and refinement can do to an already spectacular engine. The detail level remains just as high – but it's the smaller details that really blew us away. For one, the use of water effects – stunning simulated waterways of Venice – is something new for the series, given the previous desert setting. More impressively, the city is full of vibrant colours. Fireworks explode overhead, casting a wash of warm light over the city's dwellings.
The animations and Ezio's context sensitive movements have also been refined. Watching him shimmy up a tower and then pull a guard over the railing is just as convincing as before, but when he suddenly takes flight with Da Vinci's wings, sweeps down and kicks another guard off a bridge and into a river – before bailing out to a perfect landing, you know it's going to make for cinematic gameplay.
Pulling it All Together
Perhaps the most impressive part of Assassin's Creed II is simply how it all comes together – the sense of place, purpose and deadly efficiency. What Altair lacked in gadgets and purpose, Ezio has addressed completely.
Ezio has all sorts of new abilities at his disposal – not the least of these is the ability to perform context-sensitive double executions. He can use two-handed weapons, hammers, swords and spears in addition to his spring-loaded wrist blades, too – and the smoke bomb looks like a handy inclusion.
With more freedom – a true sandbox assassination experience, better structure and more personality, we're utterly beside ourselves with anticipation for this one – and we think you'll agree it's completely warranted.
Assassin's Creed II's Biggest Improvements
Or, how you make a great game even greater.
by Patrick Kolan, IGN AU
Australia, June 25, 2009 - All eyes were on Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II unveiling at E3 earlier this month - and with good reason. Not only was the original Assassin's a divisive game – some players loved it completely, others saw it as a rough draft – it also held a heck of a lot of potential, irrespective of polarised opinions.
After an extended session with the game at E3, we're convinced that Ubi Montreal are going to floor some jaws with Assassin's Creed II. From the story to the new weapons and inventions, here's why we think Ezio is destined for great things.
Flying Machines for Fun and Profit
The year is 1486. You are Ezio, the eagle of Venice. You live in a time of invention; the birth of new forms of art, writing and fine culture. And the beauty of a game like Assassin's Creed II is that you can twist all of this history and culture into an incredible setting for a game. To that end, the integration of the marvellous inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci is a stoke of game design genius.
We all know Da Vinci drafted prints of incredible machines of war – as well as flying machines and creations to enable human flight. Who's to say that Ubisoft can't integrate those designs straight into Assassin's Creed II? Ezio can now find Da Vinci's wings scattered around rooftops in Venice, allowing speedy – and very conspicuous – travel over long distances, using the hot air from bonfires to keep it aloft. Genius at work.
Freedom, Willy, Freedom
One of the most warranted criticisms of the original Assassin's Creed was its lack of variety. At all times it felt like you were playing in a lush world, full of breathtaking vistas and opportunities to explore – only to be hemmed in and forced to do only a handful of different tasks. These followed a pattern too, making the rigid structure all the more noticeable.
Ubisoft Montreal has addressed these concerns head on and completely revamped almost every element associated with the day-to-day assassination routine. To begin with, missions are now freeform. Some may see you escorting and protecting; others might have you stalking from a distance or pursuing your victim on-foot.
More random events will occur, too; where once you could pickpocket just about anyone in the first game, this time you yourself can fall victim to nimble fingers. If you're feeling vengeful, you can even give chase and reclaim your goods. The overall impact on the player is key, though – and Ubi is clearly working hard to make sure you're never bored or feeling restrained.
The beauty of Venice... without the smell. Bonus!
It's That Time Again
Time of day plays a big part of the daily routine in real life, so why shouldn't it be the same in the game world? Following in the footsteps of many other great open-world titles, Assassin's Creed II introduces a full day/night cycle to proceedings.
Once again, the emphasis is on variety – and this time around, some missions will only be available at night. There will also be unique events occurring at different times of day in different parts of the city, which should prove pretty interesting in terms of mission design. If nothing else, it'll give you more reason to experiment and explore the city at different times of day.
It's Kind of Stupidly Pretty
The original Assassin's Creed was a gorgeous game. It featured a vast draw distance, great animations, distinct districts and cities, and the climbing mechanic has been aped but never matched, let alone surpassed.
This time around, we're seeing what a few years of research and refinement can do to an already spectacular engine. The detail level remains just as high – but it's the smaller details that really blew us away. For one, the use of water effects – stunning simulated waterways of Venice – is something new for the series, given the previous desert setting. More impressively, the city is full of vibrant colours. Fireworks explode overhead, casting a wash of warm light over the city's dwellings.
The animations and Ezio's context sensitive movements have also been refined. Watching him shimmy up a tower and then pull a guard over the railing is just as convincing as before, but when he suddenly takes flight with Da Vinci's wings, sweeps down and kicks another guard off a bridge and into a river – before bailing out to a perfect landing, you know it's going to make for cinematic gameplay.
Pulling it All Together
Perhaps the most impressive part of Assassin's Creed II is simply how it all comes together – the sense of place, purpose and deadly efficiency. What Altair lacked in gadgets and purpose, Ezio has addressed completely.
Ezio has all sorts of new abilities at his disposal – not the least of these is the ability to perform context-sensitive double executions. He can use two-handed weapons, hammers, swords and spears in addition to his spring-loaded wrist blades, too – and the smoke bomb looks like a handy inclusion.
With more freedom – a true sandbox assassination experience, better structure and more personality, we're utterly beside ourselves with anticipation for this one – and we think you'll agree it's completely warranted.
Placebo
Ԁlɐɔǝqo
My only question is, do I finally get to use bow and arrow?
Nick Cave
Wrexham fan for my sins...
Looks good...
pablocoo
League 2
- 6 November 2004
What for if you'll have a gun?
Placebo
Ԁlɐɔǝqo
You will? Hmm didn't know that, still rather have bow and arrow, like in Thief, that was awesome 
Nick Cave
Wrexham fan for my sins...
You will? Hmm didn't know that, still rather have bow and arrow, like in Thief, that was awesome
If you are trying to be silent surely a bow would be better than a gun unless they had ye Olde silencers too...
matt1288
B4MF
Just watched it for the first time, I guess I never watched it before because I thought AC1 was so boring after half a day of playing.
It does look good though
.
It does look good though
.just1moreperson
League 1
- 19 May 2007
AC1 was so boring yet so pretty. Potential indeed and AC2 looks pretty good from that video but I wont be getting the game until I've seen the customer reviews a month later.
Assassin's Creed Lineage First Episode
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/...=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;1
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/...=convert&om_clk=gsupdates&tag=updates;title;1
Scutch
Futsal Master
94% average so far, righting the wrongs and repetitiveness of the first one, and expanding the single player campaign by around 25 hours.
Comes out on the 20th (next Friday).
Yet another must buy game. I guess!
I've spent far too much on games over the past two months, but this looks brilliant from the reviews and trailers.
Comes out on the 20th (next Friday).
Yet another must buy game. I guess!
I've spent far too much on games over the past two months, but this looks brilliant from the reviews and trailers.
Any word on if they've actually made use of the 'assassin' tag and added a variety of kills like the Hitman games. Or is it just the same old prince of Persia style gameplay where you have to 'get right in their faces and dual with swords' ?
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- #15
94% average so far, righting the wrongs and repetitiveness of the first one, and expanding the single player campaign by around 25 hours.
Comes out on the 20th (next Friday).
Yet another must buy game. I guess!
I've spent far too much on games over the past two months, but this looks brilliant from the reviews and trailers.
no time to play, too addicted to dragon origins!
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002
I never played the first but the little time i have had on this has impressed me
At the minute i'm doing nothing but delivering stuff and little things like that so have only had fist fights and ran from guards across the rooftops but even that is enjoyable
At the minute i'm doing nothing but delivering stuff and little things like that so have only had fist fights and ran from guards across the rooftops but even that is enjoyable
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002
Great game this is
After not playing the first its all new to me so that may be why but its all so well put together from the free running, graphics, story and information it gives about people and places
I'm only past the early civilian part so have only just acquired a sword, being able to get thieves and women to distract guards, blending in with crowds and being able to assassinate people so i am looking forward to see what i can learn to do next
This may be a bit early but this could be my GOTY because its all new and original to me and as i said very well put together
After not playing the first its all new to me so that may be why but its all so well put together from the free running, graphics, story and information it gives about people and places
I'm only past the early civilian part so have only just acquired a sword, being able to get thieves and women to distract guards, blending in with crowds and being able to assassinate people so i am looking forward to see what i can learn to do next
This may be a bit early but this could be my GOTY because its all new and original to me and as i said very well put together
Jamezinho
Golden Boot Winner
Never played the first one due to the negativity about it be repetitive. But I'll be picking this up methinks.
Placebo
Ԁlɐɔǝqo
First one was superb, second one even better, can't wait for my special edition to arrive, have been playing the preview version and think it's great except it's far too easy, you can fight 10 guards at a time and kill them all no problem.
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002
Placebo
Ԁlɐɔǝqo
Hmm strange, dunno why I find it so easy then 
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002
I think its because i am pretty shite at blocking so im locked on to the guy i'm fighting and another slashes me from behind
Placebo
Ԁlɐɔǝqo
I just counter attack the one from behind and it's usually an insta kill
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002
I have only done one and that was a stab in the back with a dagger that flicks out from his wrist
I aint played the first though so i have no idea what was in it before
I aint played the first though so i have no idea what was in it before
In the first you either killed people by fighting with them in a duel. Or you'd sneak up behind them and use your middle finger blade to kill them with 1 hit.
When it came to the actual targets you have to assassinate every one was taken out (i think) by fighting with them. There were no options to sneak up and 1 hit kill them or set up traps or poison or any other kind of kill.
When it came to the actual targets you have to assassinate every one was taken out (i think) by fighting with them. There were no options to sneak up and 1 hit kill them or set up traps or poison or any other kind of kill.
Scutch
Futsal Master
IGN gave it an 8.8
Doing well, mind :
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/assassinscreed2
Doing well, mind :
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/assassinscreed2
Coopz
Retired Footballer
- 27 April 2002