Rating:

BUY

**This review contains some spoilers**

Assassin’s Creed II, one of Ubisoft’s largest budget titles of 2009 picks up directly where it’s predecessor left off, with our friend and memory vessel, Desmond Miles along with Lucy, trying to escape the Templars and Abstergo. Lucy leads Desmond where we are introduced to Shaun and Rebecca, two allies of the Assassin’s with their own Animus. After plugging Desmond in, the player is immediately plunged into beautiful Renaissance Italy, c. 1476, and the game truly begins. We assume the role of Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, Desmond’s ancestor who is also a descendent of Altair. Ezio, our new soon-to-be-Assassin is about to engage in a street brawl with his rival, Vieri De Pazzi. The action and atmosphere are superbly done, but there are still a few hiccups players might notice in specific scenarios.

The game supports a decent amount of character models on screen, yet screen tearing is still fairly common especially during combat scenes like the aforementioned one [with several characters in combat on screen] or during chases, when the camera is panning around or there is fast paced movement. While the character models are smooth and realistically rendered, there is some fairly visible clipping between their points of interaction, and with their hair and armor/clothing. These are minor detractions though, as the game is still extremely pleasing to the eye with remarkable lighting that works well with the textures, environments and landscapes. Some of the textures that are impeccably rendered are clothing, fabric, stone, brick and marble while the hair and skin textures of the character models pale slightly in comparison.

One of the largest points of visual attraction in the game is it’s 66 view points; (Very high up places where Ezio can scope out a city.) Players will want to earn each and every one of these, as the game has amazing draw distance and taking in the eagle eye view of Venice, Florence among other cities, complete with historically accurate landscapes and buildings. The game is completely ripe with historical architecture, Ezio can scale the barrel vaults of St. Mark’s Basilica or take a stroll over Rialto Bridge.

After his street brawl with Vieri de Pazzi, Ezio’s father and brothers are unfairly arrested, framed and “tried” for treason. Before the scheduled execution, Ezio finds the assassin’s robes, previously donned by his father, and sets out to rescue his family, arriving in time to see his family’s demise. Right before witnessing his father and brother’s deaths atop the gallows, Ezio is thwarted in his attempts to help them by a large number of guards. The game’s combat system is vastly more deep than it’s predecessor. Ezio can equip a variety of different weapons and armor, including dying the color of his Assassin’s robes. Players can now choose from a wide range of weapons like the classic Assassin’s blade, (which you can double up on) scimitars, foils, maces and daggers to name a few. Armor increases Ezio’s HP and requires repair after taking certain amounts of damage. Ezio will utilize all of this to carry out revenge and, and assassinate his targets while fighting off enemies and guards. Players will learn to dodge, strafe, counter and combo to defeat foes or simply run away when Ezio is seemingly outnumbered.

Stealth is also very important to the game play, and advancement through the story. The “Eagle Eye” from the first game returns, and Ezio will require this to scope out targets in crowded areas, as well as detecting hiding spots or parts of the environment you’re able to interact with. New game mechanics are introduced as well, such as blending in with crowds to sneak by unnoticed, and pick pocketing to coincide with the game’s new currency system, to support Ezio’s range of armor and weapon options. Players can also bribe groups of courtesans, thieves or bards to serve as a distraction when necessary. Similar in fashion to Grand Theft Auto you will also have reduce Ezio’s notoriety through bribery as well as murdering corrupt officials, or removing wanted posters posted around cities. With it’s expansive open world, and non linear game play, you will have no shortage of things to do. The game has a remarkable amount of depth, completely peppered with optional missions in addition to the main plot line.

A work of art in itself, the game also pays homage to the amazing artists of the era, including Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Caravaggio and many others. Players can actually purchase and display paintings in the Auditore’s manor. Actual historical Renaissance figures are present throughout the game and will interact with Ezio. Leonardo da Vinci particularly, who will develop various enhancements to Ezio’s armor and equipment. Players will also encounter Renaissance figures like Lorenzo de Medici, Niccolo Machiavelli and Catherine Sforza. The voice acting is extremely well done, and very relevant to the era, remaining consistently good from character to character. The game has a very broad appeal, to those seeking an enjoyable adventure game with depth, as well as those who appreciate art, history and a compelling story of revenge and conspiracy. Littered with mini games too, players will have to solve riddles and puzzles involving history, art to unlock the secrets the Templars have been trying to keep buried.

With such a wide variety of missions, styles of combat, puzzles and historically relevant events and art to enjoy, you will NOT find yourself bored with this game. It’s a very “something for everyone,”, with a good deal of sub quests and items to collect for real sleuths. The plot is very well executed and will leave you yearning for more as you discover clues and information about the war waging between the Assassin’s and the Templars, and Desmond’s importance pertaining to it. From scaling rooftops in Venice while admiring beautiful cathedrals, from the satisfying feeling you’ll get from leaping off of a rooftop and plunging your dual assassin’s blades into a corrupt noble’s back, Assassin’s Creed II is one of the best games released this year, and not one you should miss!

So today the American Library Association announced that November 14th will be “National Gaming Day” in all libraries. They will offer people the chance to go to the library and play a game and learn more about the real stories that inspired them. There hasn’t been any study in the area of video games based off of history, but according to the Reuter’s article: “Michael Pachter, videogame analyst for Wedbush Morgan Securities, estimates games incorporating history into their stories have made up about 10 percent of overall sales over the past year.”

I find it interesting that the ALA has taken notice of this and has decided to embrace and use video games as a learning tool and starting point to get more kids and young adults interested in learning more about history. I also really enjoy playing these games that have a basis in history or have you interact with key historical figures.

So I encourage you to take your younger siblings, children or even go yourself your local  library on the 14th to see what events they may be having!

Via Reuters