Assassin's Creed II Official Thread (DLC Details)

[QUOTE="Grammaton-Cleric"]

I think the only reason Batman: AA (Probably my second favorite of the year) seems a bit more polished is because the game is much smaller in scope and execution.

S0lidSnake

Yeah, Compared to batman, ACII is huge! It's easily the most ambitious game I've played this year. No wonder it took them 450 people to make this game, they have included tons and tons of things to do in this game. it's almost like GTA in that regard. I didn't think much of the game's scope until I finished a mission, and like five different things popped up: You have this much money, a trophy is unlocked, your villa now is worth this much, you have some assassination contracts, this is your next mission and it went on and on. I said to myself, how did they manage to include all those things in one game!

Yeah, the combat isn't perfect, but it's a huge improvement from the first game. I'm actually enjoying it this time around. As for Batman, i practically button mashed my way through the game on Normal difficulty and didnt learn the combat till I started playing the challenges. So while Batman's combat engine might be better/more refined, the game doesn't really make good use of it in the story mode.

After a horrible intro, most boring first two hours I've played this year, I am addicted to this game. Yeah, the framerate is a pain in the ass, but the story is so good and the side missions are so well thought out that I keep playing even though the choppy framerate pisses me off everytime it drops. The tomb levels were done by the Prince Of Persia team I believe, and man, THIS IS how you do platforming! Naughty Dog, take note! I have become somewhat of a collection whore in 2009, i collected all the emblems in RE5, all the shards in Infamous, everything in Batman AA, all the treasures in Uncharted 2, but this is so much better! I loved upgrading the Villa, love the tomb sections, viewpoints were my favorite thing to do in AC1, the treasure maps have made things even more frustrating for me (lol since I go nuts everytime i see the treasure sign on my map. :P ), random assisnation contracts, codex pages, gylphs puzzles, amazing story, PHENOMENAL soundtrack, I'm in love with this game. Speaking of story and soundtrack, they need to make a Assassin's Creed movie. This is better than any Renaissance movie I've seen by hollywood. Add the scifi twist, and this becomes a movie I'd gladly pay $10 for!

The chase sequence with Da Vinci was fantastic too. One of the best chase sequences I've played in recent years.

IS the PS3 version's framerate really that bad? Because I've installed the XB360 version to my HD and it plays very smoothly for the most part. Apparently, they locked the XB360 version at 30 fps.

Glad you are enjoying it. I agree the intro was a bit laborious although ultimately it served a purpose.

The Villa mini game isn't pointless. It earns you A LOT of money that you can spend on upgrading and buying new weapons. Also, if you are so upset about being showered with money then maybe you shouldn't have upgraded the Villa. Try upgrading all your weapons and armor using the money you get from completing missions.... it would take you quite sometime.

I NEVER lose guards when i climb onto rooftops, so that statement is just plain false.

Also, the enemy AI is better this time around. They dont simply forget about you if you go hide in a haystack like they did back in the original AC. Running from them is also a ***** because they get reinforcements and you sometimes have 10-15 dudes chasing you.

S0lidSnake

The Villa earns you a lot of money sure, but what you do with the money is mostly pointless. Lots of things you can sink your money into are merely minor aesthetic tweaks (i.e. most weapons, different dyes) or ways to get more money (i.e. Villa upgrades, paintings, treasure maps). Armour, pouches, and ammunition are useful in a gameplay sense (although they make the game even easier) but you can easily earn enough for these just by completing the main story and side missions.

Therefore the Villa is pointless. It's merely another way to grind to a 100% completion. And if I had known how much money I'd be earning towards the end I wouldn't have spent a dime on the Villa.

As for the enemy AI:

I ALWAYS lose guards when I climb onto rooftops, so your statement is just plain false.

And yes they simply do forget about you when you go hide in a haystack, as long as you don't do so right in front of their faces. Maybe I'm giving the original too much credit but either way ACII's AI is not great. I've never had a chase that has lasted more than twenty seconds.

edit: For all my criticism, I still really like this game.

IS the PS3 version's framerate really that bad? Because I've installed the XB360 version to my HD and it plays very smoothly for the most part. Apparently, they locked the XB360 version at 30 fps.

Glad you are enjoying it. I agree the intro was a bit laborious although ultimately it served a purpose.

Grammaton-Cleric

The Villa earns you a lot of money sure, but what you do with the money is mostly pointless. Lots of things you can sink your money into are merely minor aesthetic tweaks (i.e. most weapons, different dyes) or ways to get more money (i.e. Villa upgrades, paintings, treasure maps). Armour, pouches, and ammunition are useful in a gameplay sense (although they make the game even easier) but you can easily earn enough for these just by completing the main story and side missions.

Therefore the Villa is pointless. It's merely another way to grind to a 100% completion. And if I had known how much money I'd be earning towards the end I wouldn't have spent a dime on the Villa.

As for the enemy AI:

I ALWAYS lose guards when I climb onto rooftops, so your statement is just plain false.

And yes they simply do forget about you when you go hide in a haystack, as long as you don't do so right in front of their faces. Maybe I'm giving the original too much credit but either way ACII's AI is not great. I've never had a chase that has lasted more than twenty seconds.

edit: For all my criticism, I still really like this game.

MrWednesday14

The Villa allows you to get money faster and thereby upgrade Enzio more quickly so calling it "pointless" isn't a statement of fact but rather your own perspectiveon the matter. I enjoyed the notion of restoring the villa and the inclusion of artwork purchases, however superficial, was an interesting way of capturing the essence and culture of the Renaissance. I don't think every single aspect of a game must overtly affect game play and with a title as expansive in scope as ACII, I appreciate the attention to detail and minutia even if some of these elements aren't crucial. Technically speaking, those assassination contracts aren't all that necessary either but they've offered some of the best moments in the game. I think the Villa served as a nice central hub for the rest of the over-world and I appreciate it being included.

As to your claim that guards can always be lost on the rooftops, while that may have been your experience I personally have been aggressively pursued when fleeing to the rooftops, The AI in ACII is roughly about the same level as what I've seen in other stealth games, give or take. I've yet to see a stealth game where the enemies acted realistically to my presence after hiding save for Batman: AA, where the enemies actually become agitated as you thin their ranks.

[QUOTE="Grammaton-Cleric"]IS the PS3 version's framerate really that bad? Because I've installed the XB360 version to my HD and it plays very smoothly for the most part. Apparently, they locked the XB360 version at 30 fps.

Glad you are enjoying it. I agree the intro was a bit laborious although ultimately it served a purpose.

rragnaar

BETRAYED again!

This is you getting back at me for all the team killings in Uncharted 2, isnt it!

lol, The framerate in the city streets gets really choppy. They have tried to lock it to 30 fps, but that only means it wont go over 30fps. The game runs flawlessly during the Tomb sections and when you're in the Villa section, and my theory is that it's because they dont have as many people in the streets in the Villa, and there's practically no one besides Ezio in the tombs.

Here is the link to the Digital Foundary's (Eurogamer) indepth graphics analysis of both versions. I am surprised they never showed a video of Ezio running on rooftops.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-assassins-creed-ii-face-off-article

"Raw stats see tearing down to 9.4 per cent[PS3 version], but only 1.7 per cent on 360 with minimum frame-rates of 21FPS (PS3) and 24FPS (360). However, it's interesting to note that the few pure gameplay clips seen in that selection do tear pretty badly. It's occasionally seen in cut-scenes too, specifically when the game is rendering a large number of NPCs. So, let's go for a second test using non-synchronous video taken from the same areas of the game running on each platform, with a stronger emphasis on actual gameplay. ..... PS3 gets a 24FPS minimum, with 22.6 per cent screen-tear.[Compared to 5.2 per cent for the 360 version.) Yes, the sequel is clearly a big improvement over the first game in terms of raw performance, especially in terms of a smoother frame-rate, but the tearing is clearly a very big issue, and it's most especially evident in crowded scenes. The very nature of Assassin's Creed II means there are a lot of crowded scenes."

As for the enemy AI:

I ALWAYS lose guards when I climb onto rooftops, so your statement is just plain false.

MrWednesday14

lol. Okay if you say so. I had a couple of dudes climb after me just an hour ago, so either i suck at outrunning them or you get our of the enemy circle radar thing pretty fast. Either way, i believe you. ;p I just reread my original post and I think i came off as a bit confrontational,..... that wasn't my intention.

Also, everytime I go into a haystack when soldiers are chasing me, Ezio jumps right out. It's almost as if the haystack doesnt want him in there.

The Villa allows you to get money faster and thereby upgrade Enzio more quickly so calling it "pointless" isn't a statement of fact but rather your own perspectiveon the matter. I enjoyed the notion of restoring the villa and the inclusion of artwork purchases, however superficial, was an interesting way of capturing the essence and culture of the Renaissance. I don't think every single aspect of a game must overtly affect game play and with a title as expansive in scope as ACII, I appreciate the attention to detail and minutia even if some of these elements aren't crucial. Technically speaking, those assassination contracts aren't all that necessary either but they've offered some of the best moments in the game. I think the Villa served as a nice central hub for the rest of the over-world and I appreciate it being included.

As to your claim that guards can always be lost on the rooftops, while that may have been your experience I personally have been aggressively pursued when fleeing to the rooftops, The AI in ACII is roughly about the same level as what I've seen in other stealth games, give or take. I've yet to see a stealth game where the enemies acted realistically to my presence after hiding save for Batman: AA, where the enemies actually become agitated as you thin their ranks.

Grammaton-Cleric

Ok, 'pointless' is too strong a word. I do like some of the superficial elements. I'm just disappointed that the economy and Villa mini-game feel more like a collecting grind than anything else.

I do agree though that the many authentic details Ubisoft has pored into the game make it a much more in-depth and immersive experience. They definetly deserve a high-five for including tons of historical context.

As for my qualms with the AI, I seem to remember the previous game offered up much more challenging (and fun) getaway moments. In ACII I don't even have to leave the yellow circle. I just have to break sightlines with guards and blend (which is even easier with the inclusion of water) and they give up. I thought I'd at least have to get out of the yellow circle for the search to be called off - ala GTA IV.

It's so awesome to pull off a challenging assination in a cool way but such a letdown when all I have to do is scale a building and the chase is essentially over.

My God! that was crazy!!!!

Awesome ending... crazy as hell, but it made sense. ACIII just became one of my most anticipated game ever! lol, I cant wait to see where this goes.

Soundtrack was phenomenal. It's almost seems like they ripped off a movie soundtrack or something because it's too good to be a video game soundtrack. It's so soothing, so moving... easily the best soundtrack I've heard in a while.

Liked it.

Just like the first, it is an impressive technological showcase, interesting story (funny at times), generally great VA,the best gameplayanimations ever, but just like the first the cinematography and overall story direction is mediocre and the quality of the cinematic character models is still stuck in the PS2 era.

Overall probably in top 3 this year, i'll definitellypurchase the sequell, but they should really spend somebucks on, at least decent cinematic direction and mo cap as it is a huge minus in my opinion, dragging down the production values to almost unacceptable levels.

My God! that was crazy!!!!

Awesome ending... crazy as hell, but it made sense. ACIII just became one of my most anticipated game ever! lol, I cant wait to see where this goes.

Soundtrack was phenomenal. It's almost seems like they ripped off a movie soundtrack or something because it's too good to be a video game soundtrack. It's so soothing, so moving... easily the best soundtrack I've heard in a while.

S0lidSnake

Here are the details on the AC2 DLC episodes...

The Battle of Forli and Bonfire of the Vanities DLC, are dropping in January and February respectively, comprise the two missing segments in Ezio's DNA, annoying gaps played off in the main game as corrupted information. The newly re-titled Sequence 12: Battle of Forli will run players $3.99, with 13: Bonfire of the Vanities a dollar more at $4.99.

What will $9 get you, aside from $.02 change? The Battle of Foril contains six new memories revolving around Ezio aiding Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza with the defense of Forli from the Orsi Brothers, while preventing a Piece of Eden from falling into Templar hands. It also includes another ride in Leonardo's flying machine, which is either delightful or annoying - I just can't tell.

Bonfire of the Vanities unlocks a new area in Florence, which you'll navigate using a new move - the spring-jump. Florence is caught in the grip of the mad monk Saconarola, and Ezio must help Machiavelli liberate the city throughout the course of more than ten new memories.

It sounds like a large amount of content for the asking price, though I wish Ubisoft hadn't presented them as missing DNA segments. It makes it feel as if you are paying to complete the game, and that's no way for a man to feel.

Kotaku

Sounds good, and more importantly, cheap!

I agree on the missing DNA segments. I think I already have one since I had my copy reserved though. Not sure.