Assassin's Creed II

UPC: 008888525349

Platform: Xbox 360

Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Category: Action

Style(s): Third-Person 3D Action

Synopsis: Single-handedly take out well-guarded targets through a combination of stealth and acrobatic maneuvers in this anticipated sequel to 2007's Assassin's Creed. Featuring a new protagonist in a different era, you'll control a young nobleman named Ezio Auditore da Firenze in 15th century Italy, at the height of the Renaissance. After a tragic event befalls his family, Ezio trains to become a master assassin, looking to exact his revenge on those responsible. Ezio will explore three sprawling cities, countryside, and various small villages while completing objectives during the day or at night. Assassin's Creed II offers three times the mission types found in its predecessor, with more things to see and do within each setting. Money is now an important part of the game, allowing Ezio to purchase weapons, clothing, armor, repairs, and decorative items for his Italian villa. Ezio can pickpocket people, search for hidden chests, and complete side missions to fill his coffers. Other key changes include Ezio's ability to swim and even soar through the sky thanks to friend Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine. The open-ended world also allows for more free-running, climbing, and leaping from great heights. Among the new weapons at Ezio's disposal are pikes, maces, war hammers, scimitars, axes, and twin wrist-mounted blades that can be used to kill two people at once. Updated combat techniques include the ability to grab, kick, head-butt, drown, disarm, or pounce on enemies. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: 16-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The sequel to Assassin's Creed could have introduced some new locales while keeping everything else the same and still enjoyed financial, if not critical, success. Thankfully the developers were far more ambitious, as Assassin's Creed II completely overhauls the first game's design. The result is an absorbing, exciting adventure that takes the best elements of the original Assassin's Creed and weaves them into a new story filled with memorable characters, events, and action sequences. The biggest issue affecting the original Assassin's Creed was its repetitious feel, with the developers recycling the same few objectives without introducing anything new (other than a city) to hold your interest. That's not going to be a problem with Assassin's Creed II, which goes out of its way to surprise players with different goals to accomplish as they progress. The designers clearly recognized the first game's limitations and wanted to address nearly each and every one in emphatic fashion. The protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, actually has a personality, delivering lines with gusto and panache reminiscent of Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro films. There is a greater emphasis on storytelling this time around, with the formerly carefree Ezio determined to learn the ways of the assassin after a vicious attack on his family. Throughout his journey in becoming a master of his deadly trade, Ezio and players will encounter numerous characters, many of which are based on real-life historical figures. The environments, one of the standout features in the original game, are once again breathtaking in Assassin's Creed II due to the architectural detail and lively atmosphere. Unlike the first game, players will no longer perish when falling into water; Ezio can swim and even pull nearby guards into the water to drown them. The climbing mechanics have improved from the first game, making it easier to scale great heights, and the rhythmic combat adds in a few new wrinkles, such as the ability to wrest control of weapons during fights to use against your enemies. Missions are diverse, letting you do more than simply prepare for an assassination attempt, and those who enjoy exploring will be rewarded for going off the beaten path. Tombs hidden throughout the cities are filled with acrobatic puzzles and deadly traps to overcome. Side quests have you gaining faction with different groups, such as courtesans and mercenaries, and you now have a home base of sorts that can be improved and customized over time by spending cash on various upgrades. There are more role-playing elements as well, letting you customize your character over time by purchasing different types of weapons, dyes, and armor. Ezio is not alone in his pursuit, with several characters intersecting with him on his quest for vengeance, each requiring his assistance to settle a score or two. The most notable new addition is a young Leonardo da Vinci, who is essentially Q to Ezio's Bond, building different weapons and gadgets to improve Ezio's chances at success. If there is one weakness to the game, it's that there are several vehicle-controlled stages that are extremely awkward to control. You'll use da Vinci's flying machine prototype to drop bombs on enemies, for instance, a flame-throwing vessel to sink ships, and even an early concept of a tank. Each suffers from a combination of camera issues, strange movement, and the problem of getting attacked from all sides while you're trying to figure out what you are supposed to be doing. This is the only misfire in an otherwise rousing adventure that should not be missed. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.