(Probably going to be some minor spoilers in here. Just a warning. - K)

Well, I just finished Assassin's Creed 2 last night... Er, this morning. I think it was about 2 or so this morning, actually. It was quite an experience. I really enjoyed the first one, though it did get a little repetitive after a while, and this one does share some of those minor faults, (like Ezio randomly jumping off a building to his death when there is a perfectly good path right in front of him... ), all in all is was a wonderful gaming experience.

But what impressed me even more was the conceptual story. It was very "conspiracy theory" meets "sci-fiction alternate history", and I'm just geek enough to love it. I mean, going through history and referencing Edison, Tesla, Hitler Stalin, JFK, and who knows how many other historical figures, all as part of this grand war that has been fought in the shadows for generations... It was just all too crazy.

At the very end of it all, after Ezio has finally reached his goal, one which even he didn't fully comprehend, and the screen has finally gone dark, you find yourself sitting there, your mind trying desperately to comprehend what in the world you've just seen. There's just a couple amazing beats where nothing happens, and then Desmond comes in and says the exact phrase that you've been thinking:

"What the f***?!"

If you've played the game, and you haven't collected all of the "Truth" symbols, I would recommend doing so, because the amount of work that was put into that side-quest is so unbelievable, it's just kind of astounding. There were just so many moments as I was working through those puzzles where I couldn't believe the connections that they were making. Of course, it's all fiction, but it has such a feeling of truth to it that I was simply blown away.

What an amazing work. This is the kind of story that gaming deserves, and I'm really excited for the next one in a few years. Congrats, Ubisoft. You've bested yourself in an amazing way.

- K