I always liked stealth games.

I’m a big fan of the Thief series, especially Thief III.   I always play stealthy characters first in the Elder Scrolls games.   I’m a huge fan of 47.

This kind of turned me off to the Assassin’s Creed series.   Jumping around the town, running up walls and hiding in stacks of hay, it just felt too much of an action game than stealth.   Granted, I also love free running action games like Infamous and Prototype.   It was at the moment that I saw Assassin’s Creed as a mix of stealth and free running game that I came to realize that I might like this game.

But then, I only had my laptop in tow, and unlucky for me, I only got on board the Assassin’s Creed train when Assassin’s Creed II came out.   I looked over the reviews, listened to the podcast discussions, and one thing ended up clouding my judgment; permanent connection to the internet required.   I got frustrated that I decided then not to go on and give Assassin’s Creed a chance.   The internet in my place, and generally in my country, sucked.   Disconnections here and there, erratic and very frustrating spikes and troughs in the transfer of data; I just knew that I wouldn’t enjoy playing it with this crappy connection.

Yep, I will be the first to admit it; Big Mistake.

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood came by, and like a stranger that passed me by, I didn’t even give it notice.   I thought that the same security protocol that Assassin’s Creed II had would plague this one, so I passed on it.

Only recently, after listening again to the Giantbomb 2010 six day extravaganza of game awards deliberations did I start thinking about Assassin’s Creed.   I started looking up the reviews, which by now are about less than a year already out, and what joy, the security protocol was changed.   No more the need for a permanent internet connection.

Holy week weekend came, and just before Jesus, in all due respect, celebrated his Last Supper with his disciples, did I buy Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.   Boy, I gotta tell ya, I spent my Holy week weekend playing it.

This game is absolute awesome.   From the first climb up out of the pit to the first climb up the tower and looking over the expanse of Roma, every view took my breath away.   The graphics were great and Ezio, as well as the rest of the world, moved so smoothly.   Sure there were some glitches where Ezio would trip a bit on a misstep and it would look awkward, sometimes the hidden blade wouldn’t hit the target at the right place, but to sum it all up into one giant ball of fluff, that’s one good looking fluff.   Sometimes, I just stood mesmerized at the scenery above a Borgia tower, looking over the people before I leapt, leaving my fate and life in the hands of heaven, and a patch of hay.

The gameplay, combat and stealth, runs fast with a small level of strategy, which is all my number addled and business world encumbered brain could deal with.   It was perfect for me, not too mashy but not too overly strategic, it hit the right balance.   Though I know some would say it was too easy, for me it was just right.

The story, and please know I know very little of the story of the first two games, is told exceptionally well.   Ezio is a bad ass with a heart, an old world Robin Hood.   I like his approach with the people he talks with, with the ladies, and with his family.   He really is looking out for others, though he also has his flaws and faults, making him human and very much relatable.

In the end, what can I say; I was a dunce not to give a chance to Assassin’s Creed before.   Let me repay now by playing this game Vinny “The Italian Stallion” Caravela style and find every feather, every Borgia flag, and every treasure within Roma.

Grazie Ubisoft!

And to you guys who are not in yet on this ride, come on board!   It’s a fun ride!