Assassin's Creed II's Biggest Improvements
Or, how you make a great game even greater.
All eyes were on Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II unveiling at E3 earlier this month - and with good reason. Not only was the original Assassin's a divisive game – some players loved it completely, others saw it as a rough draft – it also held a heck of a lot of potential, irrespective of polarised opinions.
After an extended session with the game at E3, we're convinced that Ubi Montreal are going to floor some jaws with Assassin's Creed II. From the story to the new weapons and inventions, here's why we think Ezio is destined for great things.
Flying Machines for Fun and Profit ![[IMG]](http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1106/clipimage001cj2.gif)
The year is 1486. You are Ezio, the eagle of Venice. You live in a time of invention; the birth of new forms of art, writing and fine culture. And the beauty of a game like Assassin's Creed II is that you can twist all of this history and culture into an incredible setting for a game. To that end, the integration of the marvellous inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci is a stoke of game design genius.
We all know Da Vinci drafted prints of incredible machines of war – as well as flying machines and creations to enable human flight. Who's to say that Ubisoft can't integrate those designs straight into Assassin's Creed II? Ezio can now find Da Vinci's wings scattered around rooftops in Venice, allowing speedy – and very conspicuous – travel over long distances, using the hot air from bonfires to keep it aloft. Genius at work.
Freedom, Willy, Freedom
One of the most warranted criticisms of the original Assassin's Creed was its lack of variety. At all times it felt like you were playing in a lush world, full of breathtaking vistas and opportunities to explore – only to be hemmed in and forced to do only a handful of different tasks. These followed a pattern too, making the rigid structure all the more noticeable.
Ubisoft Montreal has addressed these concerns head on and completely revamped almost every element associated with the day-to-day assassination routine. To begin with, missions are now freeform. Some may see you escorting and protecting; others might have you stalking from a distance or pursuing your victim on-foot.
More random events will occur, too; where once you could pickpocket just about anyone in the first game, this time you yourself can fall victim to nimble fingers. If you're feeling vengeful, you can even give chase and reclaim your goods. The overall impact on the player is key, though – and Ubi is clearly working hard to make sure you're never bored or feeling restrained.
![[IMG]](http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/996/996037/assassins-creed-ii-20090617115110458.jpg)
The beauty of Venice... without the smell. Bonus!
It's That Time Again
Time of day plays a big part of the daily routine in real life, so why shouldn't it be the same in the game world? Following in the footsteps of many other great open-world titles, Assassin's Creed II introduces a full day/night cycle to proceedings.
Once again, the emphasis is on variety – and this time around, some missions will only be available at night. There will also be unique events occurring at different times of day in different parts of the city, which should prove pretty interesting in terms of mission design. If nothing else, it'll give you more reason to experiment and explore the city at different times of day.
It's Kind of Stupidly Pretty
The original Assassin's Creed was a gorgeous game. It featured a vast draw distance, great animations, distinct districts and cities, and the climbing mechanic has been aped but never matched, let alone surpassed.
This time around, we're seeing what a few years of research and refinement can do to an already spectacular engine. The detail level remains just as high – but it's the smaller details that really blew us away. For one, the use of water effects – stunning simulated waterways of Venice – is something new for the series, given the previous desert setting. More impressively, the city is full of vibrant colours. Fireworks explode overhead, casting a wash of warm light over the city's dwellings.
The animations and Ezio's context sensitive movements have also been refined. Watching him shimmy up a tower and then pull a guard over the railing is just as convincing as before, but when he suddenly takes flight with Da Vinci's wings, sweeps down and kicks another guard off a bridge and into a river – before bailing out to a perfect landing, you know it's going to make for cinematic gameplay.
Pulling it All Together
Perhaps the most impressive part of Assassin's Creed II is simply how it all comes together – the sense of place, purpose and deadly efficiency. What Altair lacked in gadgets and purpose, Ezio has addressed completely.
Ezio has all sorts of new abilities at his disposal – not the least of these is the ability to perform context-sensitive double executions. He can use two-handed weapons, hammers, swords and spears in addition to his spring-loaded wrist blades, too – and the smoke bomb looks like a handy inclusion.
With more freedom – a true sandbox assassination experience, better structure and more personality, we're utterly beside ourselves with anticipation for this one – and we think you'll agree it's completely warranted.
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