The AAA the first game wanted to be
Okay so if you've read my review of Assassin's Creed I concluded it wanted to be a triple A game but didn't have the budget for it. Assassin's Creed 2 clearly had the budget because they went for AAA status and earn it. Ezio's costume compared to Altair's is analogous to the first and second games. Where Altair's costume is very plain and functional, Ezio's has all the frills and detail, plus MORE BLADES.
There's no need for me to talk about everything with this game, just go look at my review for the previous game and add a lot of fixes to bugs (still there but actually very minimal and doesn't affect the overall game). The combat system has been improved and the story is excellent. Altair was a badass but it was hard to empathise with him, you see this new Ezio character evolve and the game is better for it. You see his drive and motivations, plus he's got more personality. The whole Desmond meta-story is still there, it's fine in fact I'd say it's better executed here. But still the best thing about the Desmond story is Nolan North's voice. Voice acting on the whole is very good, as is the sound. Graphics are a big step up from the first game, they really have the polish of a tentpole game.
The problem with sequels is people want more of the same from the previous game but if you don't innovate then you run the risk of it being boring. AC2 straddles this quandary very well, adding new skills, mini games and techniques to spice things up. I mentioned the combat system being improved and that's on the innovations I mentioned. The problem is, combat in Assassin's Creed games can be broken down to block and mash counter attack. You can near enough win every brawl in all the games with this method. I'm speaking from the point of view having played most of the games and looking back I'm thinking AC2 was the point where ubisoft could have broken the mould on it's combat system. Instead they've backed themselves into the situation I mentioned above, in that if they were to make radical changes the audience who are looking for more of the same would be turned off. The problem now is it's the same and get's tedious. It's a shame they didn't take the risk in AC2.
The Assassin's Creed games are popcorn games, you're there to enjoy the story, get invested in the characters and have some fun while doing it. And this game has it all, I feel it's the best of the series. Yes the following games will stand as better side by side, this game though was such a big step up from the first and really made the franchise (ugh I feel dirty saying that word). Ezio steals the show and it's a real fun ride, especially when you're free running...god I love free running.
