Assassin's Creed II: Best Multiplat Of The Year
Assassin's Creed IIWhile I believe Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Killzone 2 are firmly in the #1 and #2 positions respectively, I'm also now convinced that Assassin's Creed II is the single best multiplatform title of 2009.
Exclusives once again are ruling this year - with a few exceptions, of course - and therefore, I believe it means something to say that Ubisoft's tremendous sequel is on par with the best exclusive titles currently available. In my review, I went into a great deal of detail, as I tend to do with all high-profile reviews, but this is where I want to talk about the smaller, yet equally impressive facets of this excellent production. You know, certain games rely more heavily on immersion and convincing the player he's in the given setting; in such cases, the developers have a tough job ahead of them: even the tiniest elements must ring true (with only some leeway allowed for technical limitations). You'd be surprised what we notice when simply walking down the sidewalk in real life. In ACII, we have to believe we're in 15th-century Italy.
Now, I wasn't around back then and no matter how many history books you read or how many experts you talk to, none of us will ever know what it really felt like walking the streets of Florence and Venice in the late 1400s. Even so, we've got a great example of what designers are capable of if they put their minds to producing an authentic, fully believable world based on historic fact. Just walk around and check things out. And don't just watch the many animations and listen to the various cries of heralds and hawkers; also pay close attention to how people react. It's such a good indicator of an advanced product. Citizens will see you and take notice if you do something out of whack, and if you knock into someone and force them to drop what they're carrying, the guards will react. They won't draw blades, but they'll push you about and yell.
In short, it's almost exactly what I would expect to see if I could be transported back in time. Granted, nothing's perfect and there are plenty of improvements Ubisoft could made with a third installment: for example, how's about making throwing knives "incognito?" Since when can everyone in the vicinity see a tiny knife traveling at high speed? Also, the AI could be ramped up again; if an archer sees me and tells me to get down, all I have to do is hang off the ledge and he's happy. There's also some erratic behavior going on, but other than that, the entire atmosphere is just very, very impressive. And the upgrade given to combat and how you go about your day-to-day activities gives us the depth we were missing in the original. Having a Villa of your own that needs to be upgraded, buying new weapons, armor and items, and having almost complete freedom...it's all great.
Every time I play, I keep thinking I'll spot something that should've been remedied. But I just can't find much wrong with this game. Like I said, it's in the realism and reactions of those around you. For instance, using Thieves or Courtesans to distract guards will allow you to get in and out of certain rooms without being noticed. You could also use a smoke bomb and slip in, but by the time you come out, the guards will have recovered and quickly attack. Plus, because the three different types of enemies have altered how you approach battles (Brutes and Seekers force you to adopt new fighting styles), you always feel as if every mission could be very different from the previous one. Use poison? The throwing knives? The pistol? Sneak around and ignore them entirely? This is where that aforementioned freedom comes into play; there are any number of ways to approach an objective, and that's always part of the fun. And oh yes, being able to swim now is a definite bonus. Kinda need that in Venice.
Anyway, for the more straightforward reasons why I would call ACII the best multiplatform game of the year, click the link above and read the review. But I must say, I've been really drawn in by three games in a row over the past few months (Uncharted 2, Dragon Age, and this one) and that almost never happens. Of course, it'll probably happen again in March, and I look forward to that.
12/4/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (70 posts)
Douchebaguette
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:03:37 PM
Ended so suddenly as well. =[ =[ =[
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:16:37 PM
Reply
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 12/4/2009 10:19:47 PM
3 up, 3 down
recks1jtp
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:21:38 PM
Reply
7 up, 2 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:38:37 PM
ACII is better.
7 up, 8 down
Kr3sn1k
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:42:49 PM
2 up, 1 down
eLLeJuss
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:06:58 AM
Cod 4.2 < Ac2 > Batman
1 up, 10 down
recks1jtp
Sunday, December 06, 2009 @ 4:52:28 AM
0 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:22:08 PM
Reply
I sense MW2 fanboys.
6 up, 6 down
Kr3sn1k
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:54:23 PM
1 up, 7 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:47:15 AM
I'd like to see constructive criticism (based on facts), instead.
Ok I'll mimic you:
Batman: Asylum is a joke
4 up, 9 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:10:27 AM
3 up, 7 down
Alienange
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:30:29 AM
6 up, 6 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:39:06 AM
More like amazed at the level of trolling recently.
In fact, you're being an ignorant. How can you dismiss Jawknee's garbage talk 'bout SFIV (trolling) and say I was the one who started it all with Batman: AA. Are you blind? dumb?
HD Remake of what? I don't remember SF ever looking like SFIV, unless you're using baseless statements.
6 up, 7 down
Banky A
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 5:46:38 AM
Why are you always offended and retaliating quickly these days?
There's always an argument.
3 up, 3 down
www
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 8:44:34 AM
1 up, 1 down
Hezzron
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 9:17:10 AM
.....anyways, Tony Hawk Ride for GOTY, never mind multi-plat!
10 up, 1 down
locus
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:32:47 PM
Reply
5 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 10:20:57 PM
Come on now......let's all bow our heads & have a real fine "Rodney King" moment....."Can't we all just get along"?????
1 up, 1 down
Buckeyestar
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:35:49 PM
Reply
6 up, 3 down
kevinater321
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:51:48 PM
Reply
8 up, 2 down
HeXeN
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:54:22 PM
Reply
6 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:05:34 PM
Reply
Bruce Wayne could kick this sissys arse anyday.
5 up, 4 down
Douchebaguette
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:30:30 PM
1 up, 2 down
Squirreldriver
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:26:39 PM
Reply
And like Jawknee said, Bruce would kick the crap outta Ezio!
10 up, 2 down
locus
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:42:40 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
Squirreldriver
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:51:40 PM
2 up, 2 down
kevinater321
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 7:27:28 AM
1 up, 0 down
Kr3sn1k
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 11:45:03 PM
Reply
2 up, 5 down
Geobaldi
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:15:04 AM
Reply
4 up, 3 down
Aftab
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:17:00 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Charger7302
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:22:23 AM
Reply
6 up, 3 down
kevinater321
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 7:30:21 AM
1 up, 1 down
___________
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:27:35 AM
Reply
FINALLY! got my AC2 plat last night, the last 6 feathers were a BITCH!
im done with trophies for now, all that hair ripping running around for half a hour and not finding anything has sent me bald.
1 up, 2 down
Alienange
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:16:36 AM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
JackC8
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 8:10:20 AM
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 2:22:47 PM
2 up, 0 down
Oyashiro
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 1:39:21 AM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
I C E_COLD
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 2:06:46 AM
Reply
3 up, 1 down
LittleBigMidget
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 2:53:08 AM
Reply
5 up, 5 down
just2skillf00l
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 3:28:30 AM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
___________
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 6:47:12 AM
Reply
its not even going to get 1 vote?
0 up, 1 down
Hezzron
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 9:09:20 AM
4 up, 1 down
___________
Sunday, December 06, 2009 @ 6:58:35 AM
cheaper too when it comes out in jan EB are charging 110 bucks for it, but i imported it and it only cost me 60 plus 15 for shipping.
if ebay were more reliable i would import all my games.
0 up, 1 down
mikeyp323
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 8:34:00 AM
Reply
1 up, 2 down
www
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 8:49:44 AM
Reply
With the multiplats I have played, I'll give it to MW2 & FIFA 10, they'll both share the top spot mainly because they both are addictive Online. RE5 comes in second.
2 up, 0 down
rogers71
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:07:05 PM
Reply
Last edited by rogers71 on 12/5/2009 12:07:34 PM
2 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 2:35:19 PM
0 up, 1 down
Ultimate_Balla
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:23:11 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
Douchebaguette
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 12:32:03 PM
Reply
SO glad I bought this over MW2.
Assassin's Creed II is a game which I both love & hate. Perceiving the game this way has made me realise that this game is probably my most enjoyable gaming experience of this generation.
Why? MGS4 & Uncharted 2 are undoubtedly greater, but I played both those games sucking up to how awesome they were supposed to be [which they were]. Only the problem is it's like purchasing really expensive guitar; you treat the thing like a baby. Assassin's Creed II was the guitar that allowed me to bash on it and because of that I played it to a fuller potential of enjoyment due to the lack of care in opinion. It's as if I were a child again - good times.
That and the main character is just badass.
0 up, 1 down
bigrailer19
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 6:25:50 PM
Reply
I love AC2, far more than the first. But idk if its as satisfying as dragon age is for me! Still though a great game and definately a nominee.
0 up, 0 down
MysteriousMagus
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 6:32:02 PM
Reply
I know is the most stupid question i can ever make but...! Finally i can get to play online battles on that game if i get it! After playing soooo many times against my friends and owning them a lot in Tenkaichi. I just can't be help on going and owning people online!
mehh... I just grab both!
1 up, 1 down
MadPowerBomber
Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 11:07:23 PM
Reply
batman was designed better from the ground up, as was modern warfare 2, street fighter iv, and tekken 6. multiplat game of the year in my opinion is a tie between arkham asylum and tekken 6.
0 up, 2 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, December 06, 2009 @ 12:05:45 AM
Dislike it all you want, but let's not lie. What you're talking about would be a serious flaw and wouldn't allow reviewers to score it the way they have.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/6/2009 12:06:10 AM
2 up, 2 down
___________
Sunday, December 06, 2009 @ 7:00:46 AM
YOUR FREAKING FAMILY GETS EXECUTED!
how is that undramatic?
i think it was a massive mistake to reveal that in the early videos they were showing and to reveal it so early into the game like they did with AC1 and altair loosing his rank.
but thats just the pacing of the game.
0 up, 1 down
SubjectiveTruth
Sunday, December 06, 2009 @ 1:28:45 PM
Reply
Oh, and LittleBigMidget, that name is funny as hell.
0 up, 1 down
eLLeJuss
Reply
Friday, December 04, 2009 @ 10:10:35 PM