The Assassin's Creed Franchise Would Be Better If...

Now before I begin, let me start off by saying I'm a huge fan of the franchise, and Assassin's Creed II is my GOTY. But the entire experience, in my opinion, suffers when Desmond returns to the "real world" or there is talk of the Animus. Back in the original AC, this was definitely a novel, if strange idea, but since there were so many improvements to the game in the sequel, I honestly think the weakest parts of the game are the storyline in the modern age. Do we really care about Desmond? I don't. Do we really care about saving the world in the present? I sure don't. I think the franchise has come to a point where that is more of an obligation than anything. Rennaissance Italy is one of the most beautiful gameworlds I've ever explored. I didn't want to leave the story of Ezio, and when the game did so, I feel like it was a real buzzkill.

Anyway, it IS a beautiful game.... but if you guys have any thoughts on this, or any other ideas to make the game better, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Honestly? The story would suffer a lot more if you just this assassin killing people for revenge or because someone told you too. At least with the modern setting you know there's more to it than just killing for the cliches.

Really? I haven't played the second game yet but isn't Desmond and the Animus a key focal point to the games.

He had a wisecracking french parrot named Pierre that provided humor.......

Hmmm.... I agree with you. I didn't care for Desmond back in the first game, and I still dont. What I liked about the sequel however was that after the ridiculously boring opening half an hour or so, the game doesn't really go back to Desmond until after Ezio's story ends. I think the devs know that the Desmond sections are the most boring parts of the game, and they did exceedingly well by keeping the focus on Ezio's story.

Now that shocker of an ending completely changes the entire equation, and all things point to the fact that Desmond might be the real star of the show in the next game. AC3 in modern day NYC? You heard it here first folks! :P

I kinda like that Ezio's story is done. It was an amazing story and yes, it deserved a better closure, but what was there was good enough. I am more worried about the next game's setting. I just dont know if the devs can find a more richer enviornment than Renaissance Italy. I literally can't think of anything else. Maybe England during Elizabeth's rein?

P.S Rome was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge disappointment for me in AC2. I wanted to explore the Colosseum!

I dunno man... I mean, the Renaissance Italy stuff was awesome, but I thought what made it so great was how it was framed with Desmond's story. Like right from the start, you know something is up and that Ezio is part of the same family as Altair. The modern sections are such a small part of the game anyway that it is a minor complain at best.

Also, I would argue that Desmond's story is the REAL story of the game. It's hard for me to talk about it more without spoiling the game, but when you beat it you will see what I mean.

Hmmm.... I agree with you. I didn't care for Desmond back in the first game, and I still dont. What I liked about the sequel however was that after the ridiculously boring opening half an hour or so, the game doesn't really go back to Desmond until after Ezio's story ends. I think the devs know that the Desmond sections are the most boring parts of the game, and they did exceedingly well by keeping the focus on Ezio's story.

Now that shocker of an ending completely changes the entire equation, and all things point to the fact that Desmond might be the real star of the show in the next game. AC3 in modern day NYC? You heard it here first folks! :P

I kinda like that Ezio's story is done. It was an amazing story and yes, it deserved a better closure, but what was there was good enough. I am more worried about the next game's setting. I just dont know if the devs can find a more richer enviornment than Renaissance Italy. I literally can't think of anything else. Maybe England during Elizabeth's rein?

P.S Rome was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge disappointment for me in AC2. I wanted to explore the Colosseum!

S0lidSnake

Desmond's sections were boring and took me out of the game. But as you said, it's a small flaw in such a beautiful game. They made so many improvements in the sequel it's easy to nitpick small flaws.. but those sections really annoyed me. And yeah... WTF is up with Rome?! That would've been a beautiful thing. But there IS DLC coming in early January, did you hear? Episodes 12 and 13! And they're only $4 and $6 each, respectively. Can't wait.