UbisoftUbisoft Montreal
Historic Action Adventure
Release: Nov 17, 2009
Also on: 360, PC
Desmond returns, this time through the memories of his Renaissance-era ancestor, Ezio.
Assassin's Creed took the gaming world by storm with it's 2006 release. Despite an extremely strong year for games Assassin's Creed scored excellent reviews as well as sales. The game took place during the crusades. Assassin Altair, relived through his memories by his present day descendant Desmond, through the advanced technology of a machine known as The Animus. The game benefited from an engrossing storyline, unmatched graphics and an intriguing backdrop of the crusade's era middle-eastern cities of Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus.
Assassins Creed 2 - Official E3 Trailer
With the success of the original there's no suprise that Ubisoft is in the process of a sequal. If you've played the first installment through to completion you had a heads up from day one. Creative Director Patrice Desilets has released enough information for us to know that we join Desmond directly following the events of the first game, and this time Desmond is more interactive than before. Another familiar sight to fans of the original is Lucy, played once again by Kristen Bell.
As for the setting, once again, Assassin's Creed takes place in a real-world, historical environment. Only this go round we move to the 1846 Renaissance Italian cities of Venice, Florence and Tuscany. You'll play as Ezio Auditore da Firenze, born into a wealthy merchant family. Soon Ezio becomes embroiled in a plot against his family and after the death of his father takes it upon himself to exact revenge against the masterminds of the conspiracy. In his quest for vengeance Ezio will be pitted against the Grimaldi Family, a precursor to the modern-day mafia. We also know that Carno Grimaldi, one of the most powerful men in Venice, will be a central character in the story.
With the success of the original there's no suprise that Ubisoft is in the process of a sequal. If you've played the first installment through to completion you had a heads up from day one. Creative Director Patrice Desilets has released enough information for us to know that we join Desmond directly following the events of the first game, and this time Desmond is more interactive than before. Another familiar sight to fans of the original is Lucy, played once again by Kristen Bell.
As for the setting, once again, Assassin's Creed takes place in a real-world, historical environment. Only this go round we move to the 1846 Renaissance Italian cities of Venice, Florence and Tuscany. You'll play as Ezio Auditore da Firenze, born into a wealthy merchant family. Soon Ezio becomes embroiled in a plot against his family and after the death of his father takes it upon himself to exact revenge against the masterminds of the conspiracy. In his quest for vengeance Ezio will be pitted against the Grimaldi Family, a precursor to the modern-day mafia. We also know that Carno Grimaldi, one of the most powerful men in Venice, will be a central character in the story.
Assassins Creed 2 - E3 Gameplay Trailer
Unlike Altair, Ezio doesn't start the game as a fully trained assassin. Through out the course of the game Ezio's skils will be honed and sharpened to the lifestyle of an assassin. Helping Ezio on his journey to full assassin-hood is historically famous painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci is described by Creative Director Patrice Desilets as the games answer to James Bond's Q. Da Vinci will put his advanced works to use for Ezio in the form of weapon upgrades and gadgets that Ezio can then use against his victims. One of the most famous inventions featured in the game is da Vinci's flying machine, which -- according to the AC universe -- he originally created for our hero's use. You can use the glider to fly around Venice, using the heat from well placed fires to control altitude and speed. But just because you're floating aloft doesn't mean you have to take the Venice guards trying to shoot you down with bows and arrows, you can swing in close delivering devastating kicks to your targets.
Soaring through the air was a great way for the development team to show off the game's amazing visuals as well as allow Ezio to gain access to to Venice's famed Piazza San Marco square, which is only reachable from the air. Landing atop the roof reduces the risk of being seen as only a few guards patrol the area. These are easily taken out with a leaping hidden blade attack and a double hidden blade attack before Ezio makes the all-too-familiar leap of faith into the returning haystacks. Don't be fooled though, with AC2's improved AI you're safe haven haystack may be subject to inspection by suspicious guards. But like a pro, a quick spring and a sharp blade keep Ezio from discovery.
Assassinations are still the meat of the game and therefore weapons are going to be your most important items. You'll have all the staples; sword, throwing knives and your trusty hidden blade but now you'll have two hidden blades to deal out double the death. According to the cinematic trailer Ezio also has a hidden pistol stashed up his sleeve, but the gameplay doesn't confirm this. One confirmed method of combat is the ability to take an enemies' weapon and use it against him. If out numbered and surrounded there are a number of ways to escape including the tried and true, inhuman climbing method. This time however Ezio can use smoke bombs to blind and choke his enemies and even the canals themselves offer and temporary haven.
In response to criticism regarding the original AC's repetitive missions, Ubisoft Montreal has upped the anti with over 16 mission types!
Assassin's Creed 2 hits the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC platforms on November 17th, and you're local game store may already be offering Pre-order Status. I'll be eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy on release day and check back soon after to see a full review!
Unlike Altair, Ezio doesn't start the game as a fully trained assassin. Through out the course of the game Ezio's skils will be honed and sharpened to the lifestyle of an assassin. Helping Ezio on his journey to full assassin-hood is historically famous painter and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci is described by Creative Director Patrice Desilets as the games answer to James Bond's Q. Da Vinci will put his advanced works to use for Ezio in the form of weapon upgrades and gadgets that Ezio can then use against his victims. One of the most famous inventions featured in the game is da Vinci's flying machine, which -- according to the AC universe -- he originally created for our hero's use. You can use the glider to fly around Venice, using the heat from well placed fires to control altitude and speed. But just because you're floating aloft doesn't mean you have to take the Venice guards trying to shoot you down with bows and arrows, you can swing in close delivering devastating kicks to your targets.
Soaring through the air was a great way for the development team to show off the game's amazing visuals as well as allow Ezio to gain access to to Venice's famed Piazza San Marco square, which is only reachable from the air. Landing atop the roof reduces the risk of being seen as only a few guards patrol the area. These are easily taken out with a leaping hidden blade attack and a double hidden blade attack before Ezio makes the all-too-familiar leap of faith into the returning haystacks. Don't be fooled though, with AC2's improved AI you're safe haven haystack may be subject to inspection by suspicious guards. But like a pro, a quick spring and a sharp blade keep Ezio from discovery.
Assassinations are still the meat of the game and therefore weapons are going to be your most important items. You'll have all the staples; sword, throwing knives and your trusty hidden blade but now you'll have two hidden blades to deal out double the death. According to the cinematic trailer Ezio also has a hidden pistol stashed up his sleeve, but the gameplay doesn't confirm this. One confirmed method of combat is the ability to take an enemies' weapon and use it against him. If out numbered and surrounded there are a number of ways to escape including the tried and true, inhuman climbing method. This time however Ezio can use smoke bombs to blind and choke his enemies and even the canals themselves offer and temporary haven.
In response to criticism regarding the original AC's repetitive missions, Ubisoft Montreal has upped the anti with over 16 mission types!
Assassin's Creed 2 hits the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC platforms on November 17th, and you're local game store may already be offering Pre-order Status. I'll be eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy on release day and check back soon after to see a full review!
