Assassin's Creed II Review

Gameplay - 8.5/10The world is nonlinear meaning you can free roam and aren't constricted to where you are in the, game review, story, another example, game review, being GTA. The game is set in Italy during the Reneissance period (15th Century) and the developers have done their research, game review, when it comes to creating the environment as everything is superbly fitted into that time era. There are many changes to way you interact with the environment too, for exmaple, you can now swim and loot boats.



You also have a new health system which can be improved by buying new armour and in the end,, game review, achievening Altair's armour, game review, . The health is split into actual health, and just armour. If you've only a minor wound it will rejenerate whilst severe wounds you will have to visit a street doctor or use a medicine jab, game review, . Armour needs to be repaired once broken.During the game you will still, game review, be able to find those feathers but in this game, it will unlock the Auditore Cape, which in turn grants you an achievement.



You'll also be able to find symbols which will unlock movie clips of 'the truth'. Once you've found the symbols you will have to crack, game review, the clues and trust me, they're hard unless you're a) religious, game review, b) Intelligent c) Know about some of this Da Vinci Code already. You can find all of this through a simple Google search though. All of this is recorded in, game review, the new Database you have access to whilst playing the game. The Database also records all the landmarks and people of importance.



Each having a little background information on them too. So not only is it a fun game to play, it's also a history lesson Even clues to those looking to follow up on the Da Vinci Code. All of these are nice bits of the side for when you don't want to carry on with the story for a bit.A nice other distraction is that you can control a town. What I mean by this is you can buy shops for it, improve these shops etc. This in turn gives you income which you can collect from the villa. Inside this villa is also all your purchased weapons, armour and collected Codex Pages.



The Codex Pages are crypted scripts you find about the cities, guarded by multiple troops, game review, . Once you've found one, game review, you have to take it to Leonardo Da Vinci, game review, who decrypts them for you. The codex pages give you armour and weapon improvements, for example, duel, game review,, game review, assassin blades. What's funny is that Leonardo says things like 'Ah, yes this is a very complicated one using letter and number replacements' then seconds later does it.



A real show of his intelligence. Later you'll be able to use the all famous flying machine he built for a mission.The missions have now become more diverse and can even change during the mission from escort to chase and assassinate. There's about 100 storyline missions whilst another 100 are side missions. The way you, game review, assassinate a target is much different. You no longer have to do the grooling task of eavesdropping, intimidating etc, game review, . but instead either follow some narrative or another mission leads to it.



About the cities you will find some catacombs which are, game review, very similar to Prince of Persia or Tomb Raider where you have to run about jumping ledge to ledge trying to get through the maze. At first it's fun but after a while, it becomes tiring, in the end it's all worth it as you collect secret seals of the previous famous assassinators and some nice riches. Once you have 6 seals you unlock the all mighty Altair, game review, Amour which is outstanding, game review, and you'll find it hard dying.



There are also several vendors from which you can buy treasure maps, armour, weapons, fast travel, game review, to cities, medicine and clothing. All of these help customise your character to just how you want it.The only problem with the game is because once you've finished the plot, unless you really love running about buildings, there's no reason to replay the game and the truth videos aren't necessary (as far as i know) but would be nice to find them all as there's only 20 and uncover a deep secret.



Graphics - 9/10The graphics in Assassin's Creed II without HD are simply amazing but when you do go HD, it's a real treat. Assassin's Creed II is by far one of the beautiful games around, especially when sitting on top of a high tower and you can see for miles, game review, around. The scenery ranges from day to night, city to fields all with superb transition and flowing detail.Everything is just as flowing during attacks, assassinations and running roof to roof too, there's no lack in the quality of this game's graphics.



There are nice blood effects which can be seen time, game review, to time depending on what attack you did.A nice view of the city and fields beyondAction shotNice view of the rivers being used to escape captureSounds - 10/10 Everyone, game review, in, game review, the game has some speech they say when you bump into them, or in the case of bards, when you pass close by. When you assassinate a target, a nice blade sounds plays which really helps keep you involved and have a feel for the assassination.



Although, the sound when you assassinate isn't quite realistic but more aiming to create depth and feel to the attack. There's also sounds for each sword deflect, hit and, game review, slash which are realistic. All sounds are on que and aren't lagging behind. You can also hear, game review, your own footsteps when sprinting about and the thud of each landing which really helps keep you involved in the game. You'll also be able to change spoken, game review, dialogue from English to Italian if you want a more realistic game.