#ac2

Am I a bit late to the party? Only by almost 2 decades 😭

So yes, I recently got into AC

By recently, like almost 4 months ago 😅

In that time frame, I have managed to complete all games up to AC3 (started black flags just yesterday!) and I've read through the secret crusade (amazing book, I definitely recommend)

Randomly decided to try Bloodlines on the psp, but I fell headfirst into this franchise. XD

Anyway

Alright, it's been a week since the ending of ACII. It's time for me to gather my thoughts before I do the ACII photo series. (And several comics). Also Spoilers for ACII (Obviously).

Story- 4.5/5. Honestly, I'm surprised by how much the story improved from AC1. As for one, the setting and writing put into the story was a far better improvement from before. For one, the game starts out directly after ACI, so you immediately know when it takes place. Lucy getting Desmond out of Abstergo immediately fixed a lot of issues I had with her in ACI, that she felt static and didn't feel involved in the plot, while here she had an active role. Plus her relation to Subject 16 added another point of interest to her, along with something that directly affected her. I also was immediately hooked on the Revenge plot and Ezio's story.....but the villains were kind of lacking. However, the use of how all the characters are connected, I have to say looking back, the signs were all there. For one, I always wondered how they all knew each other, the fact that Ezio's allies were all Assassins should have been more obvious and looking back yeah the hints were there. (Even if there were some parts I already knew about from Reverse: 1999)

Gameplay- 3.5/5. I know this is probably the most surprising rating out this entire review. The parkour in ACII felt actually really good in this game and very well thought out compared to AC1. However, there were moments where the parkour also sucked and that wasn't the assassin tombs. It felt like I could handle it better than before. While the combat did feel very good to learn, a bit of a pain to learn but still felt right. Now it should be noted that I played ACI off and on over the course of several months. ACII was from May 15th to May 31st with two days of breaks, making that 13 days in total. While the missions this time around were not repetitive at all. I actually loved finishing the game from beginning to end and felt worth it. Even if there were some glitches that hindered gameplay a bit. (It would be a 3 but it gets half a point for having Ezio being able to swim.)

Side missions- 4/5. Since ACII has clear defined side missions that I completed, thought to put this into a separate category. I really enjoyed the side missions even if there wasn't really any reward for completing them other than 100% synchronization. But the main thing was they felt like fun challenges for mastering parkour and combat. It actually got me to understand how to work the parkour system by the end of the game. Did the clunky parkour end up making certain challenges hard? A bit. Some of it could be that due to several being timed challenges, that it made my input be put under stress and leading to mistakes. It could also be that the game has a few problems. But overall, they were still enjoyable.

Collectables- 4/5. This also gets a separate category. The collectables were actually fun this time around. Not that ACI's weren't fun either, but sometimes you want to collect more than just flags and kill templars. I liked that it got me to explore Renaissance Italy and see absolutely beautiful sights. Along with helping to upgrade the Villa. I was even able to find a few feathers without the use of a walkthrough. The trouble was trying to make sure I marked the right one. That was a me error instead of walkthrough error. The Secret locations were even fun to complete as it actually was a fun series of challenges. The codex pages were the most rewarding because of them being connected to the end of the game, but it allowed use for the courtesans and thieves to take them. Plus I got to learn what happened to Altair after ACI. That's a major bonus.

Characters- 4/5. I will get more in depth with Part 2. Overall the characters felt very interesting to learn about. Even learning about the historical figures felt great. However, the templars did suffer this time around. Which is sorta of an understandable thing. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices in one area of writing to allow another more time to develop. However, once again I will delve deeper into my thoughts about the characters in part 2. As I'm going to get nitpicky there.

Architecture- 5/5. This game may have the most absolutely beautiful architecture and 1:1 recreations. The sea of red roof tops in Firenze. The tall towers. THE DUOMO!! All pieces of the setting felt like I was actually in Italy and wanted me to actually go to Italy. I was so immersed into the environment that I wish that I had a photo mode to take pictures through out the game. Even the database for each building made me love the era even more with the bits of history. Being able to see the brick work and stone construction along with the clever placement of the assassin's tombs. OH. HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS!

Overall: 4.5/5. I enjoyed every part of ACII as it felt like it was worth my time. Along with being fun to play. Were there parts that could be improved? Yes. But even the best games can have something that needs to be improved. My adventure in ACII and time with Ezio felt great. I will have to see what brotherhood has in store. (After AC: Bloodlines and FFVIII).

Brawl with the Pope.

Huh, freaky hologram.

Minerva, that's the Alternate name of Athena Specifically the name of the Roman equivalent. (Badass in the Arena!)

OH......Now that Video from Subject 16 makes more sense. Also don't look at me like that.

VIDIC WHEN I CATCH YOU VIDIC!

Arrived in rome and ready to take down Rodrigo.

POPE FIGHT!!! (Not Affiliated with Overly Sarcastic Productions)