Product ReviewsAssassin's Creed II (Platinum Hits) (Microsoft Xbox 360, 2009) **DISC ONLY**

Top-notch game, must-have experience.

I can't give this game a perfect score, but don't let that discourage you from buying it. It's a great game. It just has some flaws that should not exist.

Assassin's Creed was a very interesting story. It also had physics similar to the Prince of Persia series. You got to run up walls, climb them, jump rooftop to rooftop, and do all kinds of acrobatic stunts.

The big problem with Assassin's Creed was an assortment of glitches. These glitches ruined the immersion of the game world and made it sometimes a little annoying. However, the glitches did not make the game unplayable, and in most cases, were not noticeable.

Assassin's Creed 2 does not have those glitches, but it has new ones. For example, the enemies no longer randomly float in the air, but they tend to kill themselves when standing on platforms by jumping off. Also, when you take an enemy by a ladder, you go through the ladder, but the enemy stays behind it, making you hold him from afar.

The game is not really glitchy, though! It's actually fairly bug free! The developers did a magnificent job removing all the glitches of the first game.

Assassin's Creed 2 has flaws, however, flaws which hinder your progress sometimes. Other times, these flaws are just small annoyances or inconveniences. For example, the controls are extremely picky, while the camera goes all over the place. You have to remember that the controls depend on where your character is and not where the camera is.

There are also some major improvements. There's a new "fast travel" option that allows you to teleport from one travel booth to another, making horseback riding unnecessary, and the inconvenience of roaming the lands is no longer an issue.

My biggest complaint is the difficulty level. It's too easy! The most immature player could beat the game without any problems. There's no negative effect given when you do poorly. In the first game, there was more challenge, but it, too, was pretty easy.

Should you buy this game? It really boils down to whether you like playing around or not. It's a nice playground game. I bought it for that.Read full review...

Assassins's Creed II (Xbox 360) review by Jeff Schrembs

First let me say that this game, like many others, needs to be played by Adults (in age and in mentality) along with teenagers 18 and over (who are mature, etc.).
These games are VIOLENT and they skip over real aspects of History.
The graphics were great. The game play was fast and realistic.
Obviously they have a "hit" here with this dvd but I believe there is more that can be done without having to kill 1,000,000 people to get a sense of "accomplishment".
How about a video game called "PLAINTIFF" whereby you have the best attorney in the World representing you, in Federal US Court, and you can sue any/ever action packed game.
IN order to pay your Attorney the kid REALLY HAS TO DO CHORES, GET A JOB, etc. becuase only the Parent is provided with a card that has a strip that controls amount of time playing the game.
Also, during proceedings you can "summary judgment" rivals in the game and block them from playing.
Also, family members of those you killed catch you and, without a jury, stone you to death...game over.
But, if you make ammends to that family, and they accept, your parents have a reincarnation card that allows you to return back to life BUT you are a 85 year old man with bladder issues, arthritis, and a clostmy bag.
NOW, THAT IS A GAME.
Where is Quenton Terrintino when you need him?
All idea 2009 by Jeff Schrembs - All Rights Reserved

PS: Good game and entertaining. I give it 4 out of 5. Should be a big hit this year. Beware of the violence though.Read full review...

Assassin's Creed II

Assassin's Creed II is the follow-up to Ubisoft's 2007 hit that attracted a mass audience if not unanimous critical acclaim. The sequel is an expansive and bloody romp through Renaissance Italy that plays up every popular aspect of the first installment while righting many of its flaws. Assassin's Creed II has evolved from an ill-defined action game into a fully featured open world experience. Everything from the new monetary system to the ability to buy armor and weapons makes it a richer, and ultimately more satisfying game than its predecessor.

The plot of Assassin's Creed pulls together a bit of The Matrix, a lot of historical fiction, and throws in elements of the madcap conspiracy theories found in a Dan Brown novel. The series also has the benefit of being crafted by some of the most talented hands in game development. With only a handful of exceptions, the environments, animations, and art are beautifully portrayed. In addition to its good looks, the sequel's gameplay builds so much upon the foundations of the first game, that in retrospect, the first Assassin's Creed looks like little more than a technical demonstration.Read full review...

Assassins Creed 2

Now to start off this is a great sequel, all the issues that were brought up in the first game have been fixed! Story is much easier to follow, customizable weapons and armor, side missions galore! Basically if you had an issue with AC1 its fixed :D

Now this game picks up right where it left off, so all the confusion from the first game's ending is played out in this game. The story is much deeper on the Assassin's part due to deeper story telling and back story. But I must warn this game has the a cliff hanger too...

Overall the gameplay is very smooth and time with multiple things going on on the screen u may experience slow frame rates and at times things pop up as u approach them but for such a huge open world it is VERY forgiving. The game takes part in the renisance period and is very believable along with the score and actual true back story such as interactions with the famous painter Leonardo Da Vinci. Really its the first game smoothed out to almost perfection.

To me the pickpocketing and eavesdropping is gone which was a dissapointment to me but to prove that the developers listen...many people complained about this and how it was monotonous and annoying. For those that hated that it's gone.

If you loved the first game you will absoulty love this game and even if you have never played you can pick this game up and not be lost. Its a must try, if you ask me it's a buy not a rent. There is much replay value due to customization and MANY side quests.

Hope my review helps :DRead full review...

Great Game, but just shy of perfect

This game is better than the original in almost every way. More emphasis is placed on walking around on the ground level instead of simply free running along the rooftops. The more varied assassinations and enhanced combat mechanics make it a far more interesting game. The story picks up right where it left off at then end of the first game and delivers a narrative that will draw people in and leave them asking a number of questions about where the story could go next. Among the few drawbacks, the glyph puzzles range in difficulty from simple to impossible without aid from some kind of guide. Also, while a beautiful game on a newer high definition TV, on an older CRT television the text becomes illegible without standing less than a yard from the screen. Other than those two small quibbles, this is an excellent game with an engaging story, superb gameplay, and an engrossing world to get lost in for a few hours a day.Read full review...

Good Game for Modest Players

Assassins Creed II is definitely a step-up from its predecessor with the addition of an economy, health bar, and purchasable equipment upgrades; however, it suffers the same plague of faulty camera angles that nearly every 3D platformer game has. Also, the best armor in the game is a bit sore on the eyes. Luckily, Ubisoft has created some downloadable content to allow you to make your character look like Altair from the first Assassin's Creed.

The plu side is that AC2 is challenging. However, it isn't impossible, so even new gamers will enjoy this series.Read full review...

Assassin's Creed 2 full game would be nice

Playing through the game was great, interesting storyline, amazing views, and a closer relation to your character Ezio. Unlike AC1 in AC2 you can change the appearance of your assassin in many ways, from the color of the cloths/cape to the armor and always fresh weapons to unleash upon your enemies. The biggest thing I didn't agree with is the absence of two pretty important sequences. Missing the entire relationship between Ezio and Caterina,and the struggle to find and keep control of the apple of Eden. So I was disappointed that I bought the "full" game but missed out on the "full" story. Other than that, Great game huge improvement over the last one and I can't wait to play Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.Read full review...

My take on Assassins Creed 2.

The reason I decided to buy this game was because I loved the first one but I hated how it leaves you hanging. This game would have received 5 stars but once again upon completion I'm left without the feeling of having actually completed the game. All in all it's worth buying and giving a try. The graphics are amazing and there have been a lot of improvements. You can do way more in this game than the previous and you can change your characters outfit color and buy armor and weapons. There are many changes that make this game great but I'd suggest you play for yourself. I don't want to completely spoil it and tell you everything. I will say however you're sure to love this game as I have.Read full review...

Great sequel to the first game, now set in Italy's Golden Age

The Assassin's Creed franchise has been one of the most favorite line of games I've played.

Assassin's Creed II continues the story of Abstergo Corps' ability to throw certain individuals whose ancestors were once assassins, 'back in time' to 'fix' history.

ACII has a wealth of interesting history mixed into the gameplay that one can read about if they desire.

What's most exciting is that Microsoft has made it backwards compatible with the newer Xbox One console, so if you have that or the Xbox 360, and you love a good story line with gameplay that allows both a linear progression mixed with a free roam world with many tasks, collectibles and challenging fight mechanics, then pick up a copy today.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: gamenerdz

Something to do

Despite a compelling premise and stunning visuals, TVG wasn't the biggest fan of the original Assassin's Creed. Set during the Holy Crusades, the concept of a medieval hitman schooled in the art of free-running should have provided the perfect backdrop for the studio behind Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia to deliver a groundbreaking experience. Ultimately we got a lesson in monotonous rinse-and-repeat gameplay and the dangers of making a game too 'accessible'. It didn't help that the game was billed as something akin to the second coming, despite its appropriate setting.

Thankfully the publicity seems to have been curtailed this time around and the pre-release hype has been tastefully subdued in comparison. The result only serves to magnify the sheer improvements that Ubisoft Montreal has managed to bring to Assassin's Creed II; a true gulf in quality and scope that demonstrates what a sequel should offer. We'd have understood Ubisoft Montreal settling for a few improvements and a different setting for the sequel though; after all it's hard to argue with more than 8 million sales for a new IP. Nothing can really prepare you for the lengths to which the team has taken in delivering an improved and vastly superior sequel. Ubisoft Montreal has taken things back to the drawing board to achieve this, strengthening every core aspect of the series and making up for the original's considerable inadequacies.

Picking up directly where events left off in the original, Assassin's Creed II follows the events of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a 15th century charmer from Renaissance Italy and the latest character in a long line of assassins that ultimately leads up to Desmond Miles in the near future. We'll skirt around details surrounding the plot and characters, as there are plenty of surprises packed into the game and it would be taking a considerable chunk out of the game's overall enjoyment (plus Ubisoft would probably nail our private parts to the cross). Suffice to say the plot continues the tale of the Desmond's attempt to stop Abstergo's plans, a time-honoured story that involves the Knights Templar, the Mayan prophecies surrounding the end of the world, and a New World Order with much more conviction than Dan Brown could ever muster.

Firstly, Assassin's Creed II is the stealth game that the first one aspired to be, but clearly wasn't. It's not a pure stealth experience along the lines of Hitman or Thief before it, but it makes considerable strides forward for a game that shared more in common with a Benny Hill skit and took the edge and gravitas out of being a Templar-killing hitman. Central to this is the improved blending system, which allows Ezio to disappear into a veil of secrecy provided by crowds of people. Nudging people to one side as he slips into a group, Assassin's Creed II presents the concept of stealth via crowds with a stylish certainty way beyond what its predecessor achieved. It helps to bring an end to the incessantly mundane technique of running along rooftops until a convenient hay bail appeared that typified the original. Assassin's Creed II still employs these safe areas, but their use is largely restricted to carefully scripted stealth scenarios. Easing the ability to slip away unnoticed is the chance to hire groups of courtesans, thieves and warriors, who assist Ezio by distracting guards with their charm, mischief and brute strength. Giving each group a valid sense of purpose along with a set of advRead full review...