AC2 JRD's impressions... one year later

[JRD]

Reading some of the posts you guys created I realized it was over a year ago that AC2 was a hot topic around OWG... well, I had my share of issues that prevented me from playing this amazing game but finally, here I am, playing Assassin's Creed II after a looooong wait   :)

My new rig is handling AC2 as if it was Pac Man... all maxed out with a great performance and absolutely no lag, stuttering, slide show or anything like that  8) this way I can fully appreciate the outstanding graphics they brought us!

Having played the original AC, I can say this game is, by far, a huge improvement over the first installment... whatever thay could have improved, they did and came up with an amazing game that will surely make history in videogames.

The historical settings was great in AC1 and is even better now; the acting is AC1 was lame and in AC2 is really cool; the story presentation in AC1 was quite weak with the first level quite confusing with Altair fully armed losing all weapons and all... this time around the way you are introduced to the whole plot is very well designed with characters much more enjoyable... the kind of characters you connect with and learn to love during the game... Altair was nice, but roughly developed.

Some aspects such as doctors, blacksmiths, cortesans etc... changed completely the game, giving it a more open feeling as you are not bond to what the game let you have.... the side quests also were greately improved when compared to AC1. The PC version had a bit more varied side quests than the PS3 version - which were basically eavesdropping and stealing - and yeat those sidequests felt quite dumb...  I feel much more fond to do sidequests before hitting the main storyline now.

This game has got to be the most beautyful game I've ever played (FC2 aside, of course  ;D )

I now reached the vila and will start acting as a true assassin in my next session as it's quite late now  ::) the tips on AC2 on the forums are quite valuable so far... I've done my homework and went through some topics to help me out in advance... cheers guys!  :-X

[PZ]

I'm glad that you like the game, JRD - still is one of my favorites.  The whole package is outstanding, much like FC2, but in a different way.  The music is outstanding, as you say, graphics stunning, and the story line is excellent.

Have you or are you planning to purchase the DLC?  It is worth it in my opinion, if you like the game.  It adds quite a few missions, and adds to the story line as you w%&k your way to AC:Brotherhood, which has even better graphics, and better game play - I think that AC:B is as fare above AC2 as AC2 is above AC1.

I'm interested in reading your further impressions.  :-X

[JRD]

So you have Brotherhood, which is a standalone game and also a DLC which adds to AC2?

If I purchase the DLC I can install it and play AC2, "extended" as if having more missions besides the storyline in the main game and then move to AC:B?

I may say that I purchased AC2 Deluxe version, so I should double check what is in it before going for the DLC  ;)

[JRD]

Ok, so a quick search revealed that the Deluxe edition comes with three new maps: Palazzo Medici, Santa Maria Dei Frari, and the Arsenal Shipyard, with some treasure hunting to do.

The DLC I believe you are referring to are The Battle of Forli and the Bonfire of Vanities which correspond to sequences 12 and 13.It answers my question about the DLC being integrated into the main storyline. I should get this DLC for sure  ;D ... only thing is that STEAM doesn`t seem to have the DLC available, so I might have to find another way of getting this DLC.

What about those Templar Lairs?

By the way... it seems that a new DLC for AC:B SP/MP is available - The DaVinci Disapearance

==========================EDIT==========================

Oh dear... it seems that the Deluxe edition had only those 3 maps addde but no DLC and STEAM is not displaying any DLC for AC2... at least not available now, maybe it`ll show up somehow one day... fingers crossed I can get one eventually...  :-\\

[PZ]

Yes, you answered your own question - AC2 and CB are completely separate from one another and each are stand alone games Each has it's own DLC as you mentioned, and both are worth it.

The Templar lairs are fun mind of side missions where you w%&k your way through the area fighting guards or finding a way to get past an obstacle of some kind.

I added YouTube links to quite a few of the secret locations in our wiki - go here

You're going to love this game!  ;)

[spaceboy]

glad to hear you're liking it so much JRD.  I actually think AC2 was a better game all said and done than Brotherhood.  Both are loads of fun, beautiful, far superior to AC1, etc.  but I just liked the way AC2 flowed better.  The story was more interesting to me, and I liked being able to visit more than one city.  Not to get you down on Brotherhood.  I highly recommend it after going through AC2, but just wanted to put my 2 cents in.

In some areas Brotherhood is done better than AC2, I agree, but taken as a whole it didn't gel as much with me.  I can almost pinpoint too the issue I had with getting around Rome's outer districts, I was constantly having to go around unclimbable hills.  As Ezio I wanted to find handholds in these hills to climb up no problem.  Going around just seemed so pedestrian.

[Art Blade]

JRD, AC2 is fun and a great game, I hope you're going to enjoy it a lot  :) :-X

[JRD]

As for the DLC (sequences 12 and 13) now I found it at amazon, "From the manufacturer"

Assassin's Creed 2 Deluxe Edition
(...)
    * Sequence 12: Battle of Forli: Battle of Forli expands the Assassin's Creed II experience by delivering a missing piece of the storyline. Join Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza to defend Forli from the Orsi Brothers. Accomplish a daring rescue and prevent the Piece of Eden from falling into the hands of the Templars. Uncover new depths to the historical conspiracy by gaining access to six challenging new memories. Pilot Leonardo's flying machine across Romagna.
    * Sequence 13: Bonfire of the Vanities: A must for Assassin's fans, Bonfire of the Vanities continues to expand the addictive AC2 universe. w%&k with Machiavelli to free the city of Florence from the grip of the mad monk Savonarola by targeting influential citizens under his control. Battle, sneak and freerun your way through more than ten challenging new memories. Discover a new district of Florence, and utilize Ezio's new move, the Sprint Jump.
    * 3 Bonus Maps: Enter and explore the most prestigious moments of the Renaissance. Reveal mysterious unique artefacts hidden within their walls: Palazzo Medicis in Florence, Santa Maria Dei Frari and Arsenal Shipyard Warehouse in Venice.
     (...)


So it seems that I`m with the full (AC2+DLC) version with me... to be sure, I`ll have to play all the way to sequence 12 & 13 and check it out... well... a man has to do what a man has to do  ::)

[PZ]

Life's tough, JRD - but somebody has to do it.  :-()

[JRD]

I`m about 8 hours into the game and still just in the beginning... new features are being introduced to me as I play some missions in the Vila, getting familiar with the whole upgrading stuff, purchasing weapons, armor, art objects, codex, treasure maps, gathering statuettes, feathers..... phew... they really did a massive  upgrade in the game system.  :-X

Some "action games" out there will last for 8-10 hours tops... I looking at 60 hours minimum if I want to complete the main story line plus side quests and treasure hunts.... even more if I take my time free roam Italy ;)

I also like the way you are presented to weapons... swords, daggers, throwing knives and, of course, the hidden blade, are all available from very early in the game, which wasn`t the case in AC1 where you had to "deserve" your weapons back one by one  :D

Anyway, I killed Vieri at Tuscany (?) and went back to Firenze where the game, now, begins for good  ;D  :-X

[Art Blade]

Good games that on top allow for free roam easily eat away a lot of your time. For example, TDU1 had an in-game timer, a stop watch, that I managed to break. The devs didn't seem to think it possible that someone could ever play that game on one career for more than 300 hours. So after a while time stopped ticking away, so did my mileage (ended up with a negative score)  :-()

[JRD]

Besides, they added a reward system which was absent in AC1... I started collecting all those damned flags in AC1 as it was kind of an excuse to keep running through rooftops and exploring the beautiful cities and country side. After a while I gave up as I had been everywhere - twice - and collect all flags would give me absolutely nothing  >:((

As far as I understand things in AC2 if I gather all feathers etc I`ll have a reward... whatever it is (I`m guessing armor... and that Altair`s armor is quite a prize to aim at  ;) ) , so it gives me a reason to keep looking for those things all over the place  8)

[JRD]

The more I play, the more I get impressed with AC2!  :)

The visuals and gameplay are so well designed. Mission structure is very well put together and I couldn't find any mission I disliked.

I remember PZ saying about timed events but the ones I found so far were pretty easy. Assassin's tombs are also relatively easy - one annoying thing is the camera that keeps moving to show you where to go  >:(( - and the fact that Altair's armor will be mine after completing them pushes me on!

I'm in Venice, just met Rosa and did a couple missions to her. I still have loads of missions to do in Venice, plus Rome and more to come back in Firenze since part of the city still unnavailable to me. Forli was just a pass by but I'm sure there will be more (DLC named Battle of Forli  ::) ) and still all side missions to do!!

Man, this has to be the best game I ever played - ok, a little exagerating here, but this one is on my top 3 list 8)

[Art Blade]

yes, I remember when the console gamers were way ahead of us, then I got to really enjoy it while you were kind of suspended. Good to see that you're finally on it and that you like it as much as we did  :)

[JRD]

I'm alternating between Italy and Africa for the last few weeks... can't play anything else right now. I have JC2 installed and running but didn't get into it yet. There's so much fun in AC2 I can't handle another immersive game  8)

[PZ]

Still in Africa for me - relatively new play through as Jossip, and still in Leboa at 8% completion.  However, I'm yearning for Italy, and even a little Red Dead Redemption.  :-()

[Art Blade]

 :-()

[JRD]

Finished the game  :)

Amazing game...  wonderful, incredible game... is on the top of my best games ever list!

All main story is over and I did lots of side missions but not all though. 40 hours of gameplay and I will go back for more - assassination missions and to finish The Truth. There still 3 glyphs to find and another 3 to solve, so I might have some good gaming hours in Italy  8)

A rating is yet to come but I want to post a few thoughts about it right away:

A major improvement over the first game. They really managed to keep what AC1 had best while fixing all big complaints. The monetary system changed drastically the way you play the game and gave a true sense of sandbox to the series. It allowed the use of more and better weapons as well as other features such as smoke bombs  :-X

The level of frustration is very reduced in this installlment and the level of fun is much, much higer. In the first game I found myself surrounded by foes more than often, being unable to flee or having to run seeking a hidding spot for a long time. Fighting was frustrating as you were always outnumbered and had no medicine vials to replenish your health during fights, which inevitably ended  in death/reload/death/reload... specially in the last sequences where enemies were stronger and you just couldn't squeeze a successful counter attack. Fighting this time still beautiful and smooth but more fun as well.

Renaissance Italy was a perfect choice for the setting. Thewhole place, cities, historical context and characters fits extremely well to the whole plot.  :-X

Sequences 12 and 13 (DLC) were there as if the game had them in all along. S12 (Battle of Forli) gave me a great time and nice change in pace. Forli a great place and even though the rescue mission was timed I had no problem doing it. Actually it was the right dose of adrenalin at that time and I could do some horse-mounted fighting... cool  >:D

S13 (Bonfire od vanities) was nice as you have a lot of targets to hit but the way they are designed is a bit dull... being always notorious is a bit annoying. For instance, the target at the ship surrounded by guards. Not only you are notorious but if you are spotted you get desynched  :D ... I had to try over and over till I figure the right sequence to kill the guards unnoticed and reach the target, but once I did it it felt great... had to deal with the remaining guards (2 brutes, 2 soldiers) bare handed just to enjoy disarming them to use their weapons against them  >:D

The last sequence at the Vatican was extremely linear but that's how it is supposed to be in the end, no complaints. The moment where you have a revelation in the end was almost as weird as in the first game. I was like WTF  ???? ... but there are more to come in Brotherhood and latter on in Revelations, so it keeps me wanting more  8)

[PZ]

Great read, JRD, and I agree completely with all aspects of AC2 you mentioned - I never did finish AC1 so I can't comment.  Your thoughts makes me want to go back into AC - don't know if I want to do AC2 or Brotherhood though.  :-()

[Art Blade]

nice post, JRD :) I too was very impressed with AC2 and the Rome bit (finale) was impressive despite its linearity.

[PZ]

Spoiler

I remember the scene where Ezio is to fight Rodrigo in the circular room.  Because I was exceedingly good at beating up people by the time I reached this part of the game, I was having great fun beating him to a pulp.  The funny part is that he kept telling me things like I was right to fear him - he was on the ground after a particularly nasty kick to the head  ^+-+

[JRD]

The funny part is that he kept telling me things like I was right to fear him - he was on the ground after a particularly nasty kick to the head  ^+-+[/spoiler]

Yeah... I remember Borgia saying "How long do you thing you can keep this up" while about to beat the dust....  ^+-+ ... How long? More than you can keep up, jackass...   :-()  >:D

[PZ]

 ^+-+ ^+-+ he is a ballsy kind of guy!

[mandru]

Spoiler

My thoughts on Rodrigo Borgia's dialog during that last fight that occurred to me my last time though was that the developers would have done well to have put some branching points into his word tracks that were triggered by how badly he was being beaten and level of damage he'd received.  That approach would have at least allowed for less repetition and word tracking that reflected how things were going in his scripted lines.

But still I enjoyed stomping the snot out of him very much.   >:D

[PZ]

Spoiler

I agree, but it was very funny to hear his dialog as he was being beaten - I was laughing myself to tears the first time through - here was this guy with a Jackie Gleason physique thinking he could beat a young healthy assassin.