Just my opinion, but...

[PZ]

... AC2 is rapidly becoming a replacement for FC2 in my eyes.  The reason I say so is that I find myself returning to it more than any other of the fine games that I've purchased in the past year.  Although I really have enjoyed Uncharted2, and Fallout3, I keep returning to AC2 to try new techniques, and have laughed more in this game than in any other, including FC2.  The antics of the towns folks when I steal their purses and enter into fistfights is hilarious.  I'm currently in my 3rd play through, and this time I'm doing all of the main missions, leaving everything else for when the game is completed.  I should qualify what I mean by "play through" - this is when I have technically reached the end of the game, not necessarily have I completed all of the collections of items, etc.

[Fiach]

meh ...  my opinion is that you are just too cheap to buy a new game :-[ :P

Glad you are havin a blast mate  :)

[spaceboy]

Well it has an engaging and beautiful world to explore and experiment in.  The fighting is so very different from shooting it offers a nice change of pace.  And the ability to get vertical and climb/jump well that's a nice feeling after the limited jumping ability in FC2.

FC2 is still better (I'm sure you'd agree), but obviously I've moved on and barely go back to it just because there are so many good games to play (including of course AC2).  I have so many "favorites" now it's hard to find the time to play them all.

[spaceboy]

keep in mind PZ that AC2 is getting two helpings of DLC each for about $4 I think.  One in Jan and one in Feb.  Extra story missions.  Google it you'll see some info on it but they also open up new areas of the map and I think provide substantial story added on (not just like one easy mission)  I'm definitely getting them.

[PZ]

You're a funny guy Fiach!   ;D  :-X (got a good laugh out of that one)

@space - I hope that it is not necessary to get the DLC through Uplay because I still cannot connect to the Ubi server - this sounds like excellent content  :-X

[spaceboy]

I doubt it - the uplay is like rewards for acheivements = free stuff

I imagine, but don't know for sure, it'll just be available through the PSN store.

[PZ]

That sounds promising - I'm concerned because on the Uplay site there is a "Store" tab, which is still not functional yet, but advertises as the place to download games, etc.

[spaceboy]

yeah Uplay is just a beta anyways and it really should not be the primary way someone gets DLC (especially as it requires a Uni account).  I imagine Sony (and Ubi) will not want to inhibit taking our money by not offering DLC the same way all other content is purchased.

Be aware each pack is supposed to require a gig of space (so hopefully that means it's pretty extensive and rich).

[RedRaven]

I was sitting on the fence, so to speak, about AC2 and if to get it or not. Finally after reading all posts here and seeing a friend play it on his PS3 I decided to go for it. Imagine my surprise to discover that the PC release is not until February 26! (even though on the Ubi site it says November 20th 2009) Shocking!
So I decided as would have PS3 before then to go for that release, and I found this - The Black Edition.

http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/10287856/Assassin-Creed-II-Black-Edition/Product.html

(not sure if it is a UK only thing as I am unable to get to Play.com without it automatically sending me to the UK site. It is also available for Xbox 360. It is £100, but the contents look very nice)

Further searching revealed this on the Ubi store site - The White Edition.

http://shop.ubi.com/Prod_ExtDesc.asp?catalogid=914&id=108

(only £60, with a little less content than the Black edition)

@Spaceboy - where did you find out about the two DLC's ?  All I have been able to find is the vid on official Ubi site but after over half hour wait it still has not started to play :( . It does name them though, "Battle of Forli" and "The bonfire of the vanities". Was trying to find out if they will be out for PC version too? Maybe they will be in the actual PC release seeing as its not out till end February???

[spaceboy]

check the new thread regarding DLC - I split this one.