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Canwest News Service
Sometimes it's hard not to simply sit and gawk at Ubisoft Montreal's gorgeous re-creation of Renaissance Italy in Assassin's Creed 2.
Wandering slowly through the busy streets of 15th and early 16th century Venice as the crowds flow past and vendors sell their wares is worth the price of admission. But of course there's much more to enjoy.
Ubisoft has improved on the first Assassin's Creed, which was already a stellar game, in nearly every way. Gone are the boringly repetitive tasks and the endless interruptions to the main quest. Assassin's Creed 2 is a more varied and more seamless experience. It's also a much, much longer story.
The game still features the convoluted plot following present-day Desmond Miles as he enters a futuristic machine called the Animus to take on the role of his assassin ancestors in their centuries-old war against the Templars. But this time he's pulled from the past and fast-forwarded to the future far less often.
Here Desmond takes on the role of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young Italian who's thrust into the role of assassin after his father and two brothers are executed as part of a political plot.
Before his father's public hanging, however, Ezio's learns of a chest hidden in his father's office; inside it is an assassin cloak and blade.
Ubisoft has added features that radically change the way the game is played. For starters, health no longer replenishes on its own. When Ezio's been wounded he has to either find a doctor or use medicine he's purchased. That leads to another major change: players can now buy different types of weapons, armour, maps and dye to change the colour of their cloak.
Ezio also has the option throughout the game to invest in his uncle's property by fixing up buildings and local businesses, which will in turn give him discounts on their goods.
Ubisoft has also added the option to explore assassin's tombs in search of six seals needed to unlock Altair's powerful armour from the first Assassin's Creed. The tombs are platforming puzzles, adding a nice diversion to battles and assassinations.
Thankfully, the same intuitive parkour controls and addictive fighting style remain intact from the first title.
Overall, exploration remains the name of this game. The Assassin's Creed world is so rich, so vibrant, so full of life that it's hard not to just wander around and breathe it all in for a while. And with the vast variety of tasks and extras, Assassin's Creed 2 will suck players into beautiful historic Italy for hours and hours.
dwylie@canwest.com
