Ubisoft Montreal already has a sterling reputation for quality games, however, Assassins Creed 2 is a situation where Ubisoft Montreal truly shines. Pushing the limits of PS3 and XBOX360 hardware, the Ubisoft team uses intuitive controls and masterful storytelling to engage the player in the continuing saga of Desmond Miles who is a seemingly average young bartender.
Despite all average appearances, he is deemed important enough to be kidnapped by an evil corporation called Abstergo who is the modern day front for the Knights Templar. They seek to rule the world under one government through fascist authority, and Desmond is forced to relive the memories of his ancestors through a DNA encoding machine called the Animus. The Templars hope to learn the location of powerful and ancient artifacts that Desmond's ancestors had access to, and at the end of the last game we learned that the Templars planned to terminate Desmond as soon as they learned the location of the artifacts they were seeking.
However, Desmond's ancestors belonged to the ancient order of Assassins who are dedicated to human freedom and democracy. In this installment, the Assassins strike a hard blow at Abstergo as they come and liberate Desmond right at the beginning of the game.
In a surprise twist, just as Desmond could learn the location of artifacts through the Animus, the Assassins found a way to use the machine so that Desmond could relieve and retain the training and combat experience of his ancestors. He could become one of them in a matter of days. So, plugged into the Animus at the Assassins safe house, Desmond goes back to renaissance Italy to relive the life of Ezio Auditore, one of the greatest Assassins to ever live.
In a brilliant framing device that excuses any gameplay limitations, Desmond relives Ezio's life. And it's not an easy life to relive. Starting with the murder of his father and brothers at the hands of Florentine politicians, young Ezio has to smuggle his sister and mother out of the city to avoid being put to death. However, the Assassins take in Ezio, and we learn about the history of his family and the connection with the ancient Artifacts.
As the game progresses, Ezio gets stronger, and develops the skills he needs to exact revenge. As he grows, we learn the true meaning of the Assassin's Creed: "Stay your blade, from the flesh of the innocent, hide in plain sight, never compromise the brotherhood," followed by the maxim "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted," reflecting their dedication to human freedom.
He uses his natural charm to ally himself with the supposed dregs of Florentine society. Prostitutes, Thieves, and Mercenaries are all your allies, and for a small fee, they are at your disposal to distract and harass guards and authorities that stand in your way. Historically brilliant people such as Leonardo DaVinci and Niccolo Machiavelli make appearances as well to advise Ezio on strategy and weapons. Blending in with crowds and becoming invisible to authorities is a hard skill to master, but one essential for survival. Engaging in open combat puts guards on alert, and if you are wanted, they will try to kill you on sight.
As we start to exact revenge on the people who ruined Desmond's life, we are drawn into a deep conspiracy to take over the world that stretches back thousands of years. As long as the Templars have been trying to take over the world, the Assassins have been there to stop them!
This game is almost too well made, as it can be difficult to stop playing. Even after several replays, I find myself spending hours in the world of the "Animus" when I only intended to play for a half an hour.
Beautifully designed, rich with history, and facts about renaissance Italy, set against tragic and moving historical fiction, this work of art is one of the best video games that I have ever played.
Despite all average appearances, he is deemed important enough to be kidnapped by an evil corporation called Abstergo who is the modern day front for the Knights Templar. They seek to rule the world under one government through fascist authority, and Desmond is forced to relive the memories of his ancestors through a DNA encoding machine called the Animus. The Templars hope to learn the location of powerful and ancient artifacts that Desmond's ancestors had access to, and at the end of the last game we learned that the Templars planned to terminate Desmond as soon as they learned the location of the artifacts they were seeking.
However, Desmond's ancestors belonged to the ancient order of Assassins who are dedicated to human freedom and democracy. In this installment, the Assassins strike a hard blow at Abstergo as they come and liberate Desmond right at the beginning of the game.
In a surprise twist, just as Desmond could learn the location of artifacts through the Animus, the Assassins found a way to use the machine so that Desmond could relieve and retain the training and combat experience of his ancestors. He could become one of them in a matter of days. So, plugged into the Animus at the Assassins safe house, Desmond goes back to renaissance Italy to relive the life of Ezio Auditore, one of the greatest Assassins to ever live.
In a brilliant framing device that excuses any gameplay limitations, Desmond relives Ezio's life. And it's not an easy life to relive. Starting with the murder of his father and brothers at the hands of Florentine politicians, young Ezio has to smuggle his sister and mother out of the city to avoid being put to death. However, the Assassins take in Ezio, and we learn about the history of his family and the connection with the ancient Artifacts.
As the game progresses, Ezio gets stronger, and develops the skills he needs to exact revenge. As he grows, we learn the true meaning of the Assassin's Creed: "Stay your blade, from the flesh of the innocent, hide in plain sight, never compromise the brotherhood," followed by the maxim "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted," reflecting their dedication to human freedom.
He uses his natural charm to ally himself with the supposed dregs of Florentine society. Prostitutes, Thieves, and Mercenaries are all your allies, and for a small fee, they are at your disposal to distract and harass guards and authorities that stand in your way. Historically brilliant people such as Leonardo DaVinci and Niccolo Machiavelli make appearances as well to advise Ezio on strategy and weapons. Blending in with crowds and becoming invisible to authorities is a hard skill to master, but one essential for survival. Engaging in open combat puts guards on alert, and if you are wanted, they will try to kill you on sight.
As we start to exact revenge on the people who ruined Desmond's life, we are drawn into a deep conspiracy to take over the world that stretches back thousands of years. As long as the Templars have been trying to take over the world, the Assassins have been there to stop them!
This game is almost too well made, as it can be difficult to stop playing. Even after several replays, I find myself spending hours in the world of the "Animus" when I only intended to play for a half an hour.
Beautifully designed, rich with history, and facts about renaissance Italy, set against tragic and moving historical fiction, this work of art is one of the best video games that I have ever played.