Ezio Auditore returns in this third main installment to the Assassin's Creed Franchise...
Ezio Auditore returns in this third main installment of the Assassin's Creed franchise, less than a year after the release of Assassin's Creed II. Now, many people were concerned with the extremely short gap between the two games- how could Ubisoft possibly create a game as amazing as Assassin's Creed II in less than a year? But Brotherhood exceed all expectations and more, with an extraordinary single-player mode, and a beautifully crafted multi-player mode.
Brotherhood begins just after the end of Assassin's Creed II, leaving off with Ezio in a rather large hole in the ground. After a brief tutorial in which the player is thrust into the streets of Rome, Ezio finds himself in a town in which the player is forced to try to defend the town from an invading army. Then, he goes back to Rome. After he proves to the Order of Assassins that he is capable of leading them, he assumes that role and prepares a counter-attack against the Borgian army.
Once the tutorials are over, however, is when the game truly begins to shine. There is no better example of this than the game's representation of Rome. Breathtaking in both size and quality, it is truly an appropriate setting for Ezio to fulfill his potential. Everything about the city, both visual and auditory, is superbly crafted. Even the sounds the people make when shoved are the same as if they were real. Breathtaking landscapes captivate you as well. As well as the game's main storyline, there are numerous side-quests, minigames, and puzzle tombs to keep you attention.
All of the classic traits of the franchise return in Brotherhood. The everlasting combat system based on quick kill chains and swift counter-attacks, and the unique mobility of the main character make a dominant return in the game. But there are also some new things added, such as more time outside of the Animus, and, of course multi-player.
There are eight different modes available for multi-player, each distinctly different from one another but similar in their basic concept: sneak up on your contract, and then assassinate them without being detected by your pursuers. You get points based on the style and stealthiness of your kills. Therefore, if you run around the map like an idiot, the game will automatically tell your target that you're nearby. But if you blend in with the crowd, you will earn more points and will actually be able to kill your target.
This resulted is some of the most infuriating fun I've ever had. I've crept silently across the entire map and slowly approached my target, when suddenly someone jumps off of a roof and kills me, creating one of the most irritating scenarios I've encountered. But with practice, I've been able to use the games mechanics in order to dominate my opponents with ease.
All in all, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood has both an expertly crafted single-player mode and a brilliant multi-player mode. Its fine visual and auditory details make the game just as realistic as its predecessors before it. Therefore, it deserves a ten out of ten.