Story & Presentation Score: 10/10

This is, in my opinion, the best aspect of AC II because we truly experience the story alongside Ezio, and we deeply feel it.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert ⚠️ Right at the beginning, Ezio is betrayed by the Templars and loses his father and brothers, which delivers an emotional punch early on. The story then expands, branching out in unexpected ways, surprising both us and Ezio himself. The cinematic presentation, storytelling techniques, and world-building keep the player's curiosity at its peak. We feel like actual assassins living in this world, growing to despise the Templars, and sharing Ezio's pain through his natural reactions.

As the story progresses, it takes turns we could never predict and ultimately delivers a flawless finale. The game sets up an anti-religious narrative, showcasing figures like the Pope as mere manipulators using faith for power. Taking him down feels incredibly satisfying. However, since many dialogue lines play during combat, some crucial lines are skipped despite appearing in subtitles—though I can overlook this for a 2009 game. Then, the final scene in the Vault, where Minerva directly speaks to the screen, almost breaking the fourth wall, is mind-blowing. When we realize she is actually addressing Desmond, not Ezio, it becomes an even more impactful moment. That "Is she talking to me?" feeling was something I truly shared with Desmond, making the finale unforgettable. ⚠️ End of Spoilers

Gameplay

Score: 8/10 For a game released in 2009, AC II’s parkour system is nothing short of revolutionary. Even today, I had a blast climbing and traversing the world. The assassination animations and variety of ways to take down enemies are truly satisfying. However, I find it baffling that a stealth game lacks a proper crouch mechanic. Ezio moves around like a stiff board, making it harder to remain undetected.

As for combat, while not difficult, it quickly becomes repetitive. By the later sections of the game, I found myself performing the same moves on the same enemies over and over again, which became tedious. It’s not about difficulty but about how long fights can drag out unnecessarily. The game gives the impression that I could take on 50 enemies at once, but instead of being fun, fights sometimes feel artificially prolonged. Still, the parkour mechanics, variety of assassinations, and the lack of bugs during my playthrough make this aspect worthy of an 8/10.

Mission Design

Score: 1/10 This is, without a doubt, AC II’s weakest aspect. Even compared to other games, the mission structure in this title is frustratingly tedious. Instead of rewarding the player, the game often makes missions feel like a punishment.

To avoid spoilers, I’ll give a general example: There are too many escort and follow missions. These are some of the worst-designed objectives in gaming, and unlike other games where at least some meaningful reward is given, AC II fails even in that regard.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert ⚠️ In one sequence, I had to tail four Templars for minutes, eavesdrop on their conversation, and then watch them escape. Instead of taking them out immediately, the game forces me to kill them one by one, each requiring a separate assassination setup. I spent 30 minutes planning how to kill them, only for each fight to last a mere 20 seconds. Another example is the Golden Mask quest. You spend ages proving yourself in various events, only to have the Templars rig the contest and give the prize to someone else. Then you just steal it from him anyway. If stealing was an option from the start, why waste time with the contests?

On top of that, the nine mind-controlled targets mission was tedious and repetitive. And to access the final sequence, I had to gather 30 Codex pages, each requiring the same repetitive formula to obtain. ⚠️ End of Spoilers ⚠️

In short, AC II prioritizes padding over engaging mission design. The game repeatedly throws the same mission types at you, making progression feel frustrating rather than enjoyable. The repetitiveness pulls you out of the immersive Renaissance Italy setting. If I were rating this in the heat of my frustration, I’d give it 0/10, but I’ll be generous and settle on 1/10 because a few missions were at least tolerable.

Atmosphere

Score: 9/10 AC II captures Renaissance Italy perfectly. The city designs, character outfits, lively streets, and even the festivals make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The soundtrack is phenomenal, reinforcing the game’s immersive historical setting.

Meeting and befriending Leonardo da Vinci adds to the charm, and the cities themselves—Florence, Venice, Forlì, Tuscany, and finally, Rome—each have their own distinct identity. The level design enhances the assassination experience. In taller cities, air assassinations are more frequent, while in Venice, water-based kills feel more natural. The atmosphere strongly supports the gameplay, making the world feel organic and alive.

Character Development

Score: 10/10 Ezio’s character arc alone justifies his legendary status in gaming. At the start, he is an arrogant, carefree young man, flirting and running through the streets of Florence. But after tragedy strikes, he undergoes realistic, well-paced growth that turns him into an assassin.

Despite his transformation, Ezio never loses his charismatic charm, keeping the game’s tone from becoming overly grim. His wit and flirtatious nature remain, making him a beloved character not just in the game but across the franchise.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert ⚠️ One of the most striking aspects of his character development is how his approach to killing evolves. At first, he seeks revenge without remorse, but over time, he realizes he fights not for personal vengeance but for a greater cause. This is exemplified in how, even when killing the most despicable figures, Ezio eventually begins closing their eyes and offering them peace, symbolizing his growth. ⚠️ End of Spoilers ⚠️

Overall Score: 7.5/10

Assassin’s Creed II is an exceptional game in many aspects and even revolutionary in some. However, its poor mission structure and excessive repetition significantly hinder the experience. By the final hours, I was completely drained, and I wasn’t even enjoying the game anymore.

That said, playing as Ezio, experiencing Renaissance Italy, and the game’s strengths in storytelling, atmosphere, and character development make it a worthwhile experience. While I wouldn’t call it the masterpiece many claim it to be, it’s still a very good game—just not without its flaws.