Masterpiece is the word to describe AC II. You'll have to look hard to find anything off in this feat of perfection.
User Rating: 9.5 | Assassin's Creed II X360
A review right now only half way through the game. I can easily tell you how far I am since AC II does such a fine job keeping track of everything. The only thing similar to the first game is the back story of course and the basic moves of Altair from the first game. But they've added so much more to the character's abilities, it's literally jaw dropping what Ezio can do. Hard to write a review at this point without giving away spoilers so I won't do that. Suffice to say you are playing an enitirely new game with many places to travel, many, many things to do there and all of it fun, challenging, and lots of action. You spend much of the time overwhelmed with the sheer beauty of the game. Especially at the viewpoints again which we all know and love. But also Ezio backstory outside of Desmond is very deep and winding. I also like the fact you stay in the story between mission, not back to the Animus table between them as before. Additionally, they really don't even feel like missions, you collect clues yeah but it's so interwoven with the story, you hardly notice. And you can just stop and go on treasure hunts, assassination contracts, back to work on your house, whatever you want! That's right I said house! I won't mention the details but it's very cool and tons of backstory there as well. It literally becomes a convienient hub in the game while you travel by horse or pay small coin, that's right currency in florins, to go to a new destination in a heartbeat. You'll see things in this game you've never seen before and play this game like you never have before. So far I've been to Florence, Tuscany, Forli and now Venice. I'm already anticipating AC III and I'm not even half way through this one. Bravo Ubisoft and molta fortuna, you made me a believer. :) 
