I'm not sure if anyone wanted some information on the game, but I guess I will share anyways.
I am a few hours into the game, and from the beginning I was thinking to myself, "I cannot wait to play AC: III." I know, I know...That sounds crazy, but it's true. The way the game fills you in on where you left off, and the fact that the reason for the use of the Animus is immediately revealed to you really boosts your anticipation for the rest of this game, and the sequel.
Obviously, and hard to believe, the visuals are much better than the original. The game's presentation is simply fantastic. The free-running is even smoother than before, and respectfully difficult enough to get around.
The awareness meter, and the guards pursuit and tracking systems are simply just a hell of a lot of fun. Getting too close gets guards suspicious, or perhaps out of the norm behavior such as climbing, sprinting through crowds or knocking people over. All of the guards awareness is really determined by the player, or the mission. If your awareness meter is red, guards are on their toes, ready to jump at the slightest slip-up from the player. It's exciting, and sometimes challenging at the same time.
As a musician, when it comes to video games, the music tends to stick out to me. The music in the game is astounding; perfectly fitting the mood of the situation that the player is in. It really sets the tone.
You become attached to Ezio, unlike you were with Altair in the first due to a lack of story on the character. You're sort of with Ezio from the beginning, through the good times and the rough.
The combat is immaculate. As I enjoyed the visceral, smooth flowing combat from the first, Ubisoft has made it light years better. The hand-to-hand combat flows extremely well, from counters to side-stepping to blocking, as does the sword fighting. You are now able to use the hidden blade in combat, as opposed to being exclusive to counters in the first. The grab feature is much better in this, ranging from throwing enemies over ledges during combat, to holding them around the neck as hostage. From that standpoint, you may throw the enemy into another, rendering them both disabled. From there, you may take them both out from the ground. Or, while you hold the enemy hostage around the neck, you may simply execute them, and continue your fight on the others.
Now...You think I've got to the good part yet? Well I haven't. Just please keep in mind that what I'm telling you now is strictly my opinion and views on the game. This is what I've gotten out of it so far.
The stealth/action genre has been my favorite genre for 10 years, and seeing as how I originally bought the first Assassin's Creed primarily because of what was being advertised as "Social Stealth," the original really never truly had it. It was similar to a cheesy Tenchu game loading screen.
"Hide in the Shadows to avoid your enemy." Well...There weren't any shadows in Tenchu. =\
There wasn't really "stealth." There was just walking around. There really wasn't much stealth gameplay to be had. But...I am pleased to tell you that the stealth gameplay here is revolutionary to the stealth/action genre. The slogan, "The blade in the crowd," is a true slogan to AC:II. You are literally using the crowd as a cloak of invisibility from your enemies. Ezio will turn a dark grey color, to indicate to the player that you are hidden. From there, you may use moving or standing crowds to remain hidden and approach an enemy or simply move on to your destination. I am just blown away by the stealth gameplay and am so happy to be able to actually call it stealth gameplay.
Oh! Did I mentioned I'm only a few hours into the game?
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