Hidden beneath that satanic DRM is a diamond waiting to be embraced - Yes, that's right, Assassin's Creed 2 rocks.
When the first Assassin's Creed hit the PC, I can say two things: It flopped in sales and it kinda sucks. What it sucks? You may disagree. You may argue that it is a game that received acclaim upon its release on consoles for its graphics and freeform gameplay. You may argue that even on PC, even with the console-tastic, steep-learning-curve controls and its pointless 'PC exclusive' additions that it is still a worthy masterpiece due to its massive locales and gorgeous graphics. But guess what? Assassin's Creed will feel like a Beta when you get your hands on Assasin's Creed 2. AC1 was a short game which you can finish in 9 hours if you rush through it, 12 hours if you play normally with NO replayability afterwards (if you call collecting flags fun, go ahead). AC2 is a 25 hour game when played normally with an additional 15 hours+ of extra activities you can do even if you completely the main story arc. The PC version also gives players the two DLC's that console gamers have to pay $20+ for completely free and integrated. AC1 had a ton of activities to do including the bonus ones for the PC version. AC 2 has a LOT more with all being less generic and repetitive like in the original. Assassinations, beat-ups, races, delivery challenge, glyph quests, assassin sigma quests, hidden locations, treasure chests...the list goes on. In addition, each activity is completely different from each other if taken more than once. For example, for Assassinations you may be asked to kill off a few archers on the rooftops for this one time and the next time you may be asked to tail a messenger across the city to a secret location where you assassinate your target. It's all very well designed and screams replayability.
Assassin's Creed 2 follows the story of Ezio Auditore de Firenze of Florence who's not prone to the fact that his father is an Assassin. After a framed betrayal which sees most of his family executed, Ezio begins a journey to avenge his family which leads him to take up his father's role and hunt down the men responsible. The story, its characters, the cut-scenes as well as its setting and ambience are all utterly brilliant and makes the first game look like a mini-game. Combat mechanics have been enhanced (thank God) and a lot more weapons are at your disposal in addition to the classic ones of the first game. There is now a currency system, which parallels AC2 closer to an RPG than ever before - brilliant! You can purchase better equipment, upgrade your base of operations (yes, you get to own a whole town!) as well as refill on supplies. Ubisoft has done a wonderful job in creating Renaissance Italy with additional info for history & geography buffs (aka ME) which leads to my main thesis for the game - AC 2 is one of the most immersive games I've ever played to date. Everything interacts perfectly. Guards patrol the streets in groups, shopkeepers sell goods to customers, farmers tend to their crops, drunks go into pubs etc. The day-night cycle as well as the ability to swim in the city canals in addition to the life-like daily routines of its hundreds of citizens makes AC2 a masterpiece of immersion up there with Oblivion and Fallout 3.
DRM aside, AC2 on PC is superior to the console versions in every way and form. The graphics engine is able to run at Directx 10.1 with a bit of file tweaking, there's enhanced HDR/Bloom effects, deeper textures, heavier shadows, more detailed environments (cities and citizens), as well as the ability to pump up the resolution and activate Anti-Antialising whenever you wish. Free-running, as seen in the first game, is far better accomplished with a mouse than the sensitive/unpredication gamepad. However, the game does have its flaws. Navigating the menu STILL is permanently binded to CONSOLE keys for FOOT-movements and LEFT HAND-movements, meaning that Esc and Enter are out of the question with using a mouse being tedious if not annoying. The in-game camera has its perks when Ezio enters combat with the default view often obscured by trees and buildings, forcing you to adjusting the mouse constantly to see the action while cautiously choosing the opponent you fight. It's a bit quirky but at the end of the day, the epic combat system makes you get used to it very quickly. Apart from that quirk and the DRM, AC2 is near perfect. This is a true masterpiece of stealth/action gaming rarely seen in a world dominated by FPS and RPG's (although AC2 does have sprinkles of those two genres within itself). Let's just hope Ubisoft can stop being a prick and not include a DRM for AC: Brotherhood for their and everyone's sakes.
Pros:
- Great Immersion
- Enhanced & more accessible combat, world & plot
- High replayability
Cons:
- DRM
- Camera quirks
- NO Directx 10 support unless hacked
Bugs & Glitches Level: VERY LOW
Better than: Assassin's Creed - Director's Cut
On Par with: Fallout 3 vanilla
Worse than: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
An fantastic near-perfect masterpiece if you can overcome the DRM.