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Assassin's Creed II

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Assassin's Creed II
File:Assassins Creed 2 cover.jpg
Assassin's Creed II cover.
Developer(s)Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Designer(s)Patrice Desilets (creative director)[4]
Sébastien Puel (producer)[5]
Jade Raymond (executive producer)[6]
Writer(s)Corey May[7], Joshua Rubin, Jeffrey Yohalem
Composer(s)Jesper Kyd[8]
SeriesAssassin's Creed
EngineAnvil[9]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
ReleaseXbox 360, PlayStation 3:
Microsoft Windows:
Genre(s)Third-person action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Assassin's Creed II is a third person action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the sequel to the action-adventure game Assassin's Creed, and was released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November 2009,[5][1][2][10] with a PC version scheduled for release in 2010.

As in Assassin's Creed, the plot involves a machine named the "Animus", which makes it possible to view genetic memories of the player-character Desmond Miles. In Assassin's Creed II, the player assumes the role of a young nobleman-turned-assassin named Ezio Auditore da Firenze in the late 15th century in Italy, during the Renaissance. The story of Ezio begins with the seeking of revenge on the rival families that murdered his father and brothers.

Gameplay

Assassin's Creed II takes place in an open world with nonlinear gameplay, allowing the player to free roam within several regions throughout late 15th century Italy, such as Venice, Florence, and the Tuscan countryside. A new version of the Animus is used in the game, providing in-game context for changes and additions to several game elements. A database is available, providing extra historical information about key landmarks, characters and services that the player encounters. The health system has been made more dynamic, with synchronisation to the Animus only recovering minor injuries.[4] More grievous injuries require visiting a street-side doctor for medicine.[4]

The player may now swim in water, and eagle vision; the ability to identify specific people and landmarks, is used in third-person view.[4] A young Leonardo da Vinci is present in the game, aiding the player by creating new weapons and translating items.[4] Within the game, the player will be able to use Leonardo's flying machine (based on real-life plans by Leonardo), while on a mission.[4]

Ezio stealing a gondola from a small pier.

While Leonardo provides the player with new weapons such as a poison blade and a miniature firearm, there is also a variety of swords and maces, as well as axes and spears. The combat system is more complex, with the ability to disarm opponents, stealing their weapons.[4] Six additional weapons can be unlocked by connecting a PSP with Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines to the PS3.[11]

The Auditore family's countryside villa acts as Ezio's home space, and the surrounding property can be upgraded, drawing income for the player's use. There are several outlets for using currency, with vendors selling items such as medicine, weapons, upgrades, and colored dyes for their character's outfit.

There is now a broader array of methods for hiding or blending in the area. One can dive underwater to break the guards' line of sight, and blending may be performed with any group of people, rather than only a specific type, as in the first Assassin's Creed.[4] The game features a notoriety system, with Ezio becoming more recognizable depending on Ezio's behaviour, his location, and the current mission. This infamy can be reduced with bribery, removing wanted posters, or assassinating corrupt officials.[4] A day and night cycle has been added to the game, giving the sense of time, in addition to setting missions and events at certain times of the day.[4] There are many ways to interact with non-player characters, with some NPCs available for hire, to serve as a distraction, or to fight alongside the player. Money thrown to the ground may also serve as a distraction. There are also several types of enemies, some more agile or stronger than others.

The missions in the game now have an expanded variety, with different structuring. For example, a mission may have the objective to escort someone, but may change to a chase and assassination. Investigation is less explicit, and instead missions may follow people and/or a narrative. There are roughly 200 missions in this game; half are part of the main storyline, while the rest are side quests. Cities also contain hidden locations such as catacombs and caves, the design of which have been compared by the developers to the Prince of Persia series, where the objective is to navigate the area. Exploring these locations eventually rewards the player with an item.

Like Assassin's Creed, characters based on historical figures are present in the game including Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolò Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza, Lorenzo de' Medici, the Pazzi Family, and Pope Alexander VI.[12]

Locations in the game include Venice, Florence, the Tuscan countryside[4], Monteriggioni, San Gimignano[13] and Forlì.[13] Specific landmarks include St Mark's Basilica[4], the Grand Canal, the Little Canal, the Rialto Bridge[4], Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Maria Novella.[13]

Plot

The game continues shortly after the events of Assassin's Creed, where Desmond Miles is observing the cryptic messages written in blood, on his bedroom wall. Desmond's prolonged exposure to the Animus has resulted in a "bleeding effect"; he assimilates his ancestor's traits and abilities. Altaïr's eagle vision allows Desmond to see the writing that has been washed away.

Lucy Stillman suddenly arrives at Desmond's cell, and quickly ushers him into the Animus. Desmond briefly experiences the birth of his ancestor, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, while Lucy makes a copy of the Animus' memory. The two then proceed to escape Abstergo, to one of the Assassins' hideouts. After being introduced to fellow modern Assassins Shaun and Rebecca, Lucy explains that with their numbers dwindling, they require Desmond to assist them by becoming an Assassin. In order to do so, Lucy intends to train Desmond by exploiting the Animus' bleeding effect, by absorbing years of experience within days. The Assassins have copied and created their own version of the Animus, labeled the Animus 2.0, and Desmond proceeds to enter Ezio's memories.

Ezio's life takes place in the late 15th century in Italy during the Renaissance, approximately 300 years after Altaïr's time. In 1476, young Ezio is currently living the life of a noble in Florence. He gets into a fight with Vieri de Pazzi, the son of a prominent family, who insults his parents. After being reprimanded by his elder brother, Federico, and his father, Giovanni, Ezio performs some tasks for his family, such as delivering a message for his father, and carrying some paintings with Leonardo da Vinci. His father and another man, Uberto Alberti, are seen discussing secret matters that seem urgent.

Eventually, guards raid the Auditore home and arrest Giovanni, Frederico, and Ezio's younger brother, Petruccio. His mother, Maria, and sister, Claudia, go into hiding with their servant Anetta. After meeting his father, Ezio retrieves several items hidden in his home, which include an Assassin's outfit, a broken hidden blade, and several documents. Ezio delivers the letter containing evidence of the Auditore's innocence to Uberto, who promises to defend them at their hearing. However, on the day of their execution, Uberto denies having received such evidence, and the three Auditores are hanged. Swearing vengeance, Ezio meets Paola of the Courtesans, who is taking care of his mother and Claudia. Ezio is taught the elements of stealth, and meets with Leonardo da Vinci, who decrypts one of Ezio's documents and uses it to repair his hidden blade. Ezio then proceeds to assassinate Uberto.

Now a wanted criminal, Ezio flees Florence with Maria and Claudia, heading to his family villa in the Tuscan countryside. While fending off an attack by Vieri de Pazzi, he meets his uncle Mario and his mercenaries, who assist him. At the villa, Mario tells Ezio of his Assassin heritage, who had thought his father was simply a banker. Ezio is incredulous, and states his intention to flee to Spain, but Mario implores him to stay and fight the Pazzi and Templars, and trains him how to fight, while encouraging him to become an assassin.

After assassinating Vieri, Ezio learns of additional conspirators involved in his father and brothers' deaths. Mario introduces Ezio to various items in the villa, one being a set of armor that belonged to Altaïr. He is also shown several pages of the Codex, one of which was what Leonardo had decrypted. Written by Altaïr, the Codex is a set of memoirs describing his experiences and thoughts after retrieving the Apple of Eden, and also contains designs and sketches of several things, such as a miniature firearm, and a new type of metal. Over the next decade, Ezio assassinates many of the conspirators, with the assistance of several new allies, and Leonardo's developments, based on the designs from the Codex.

Eventually, Desmond is pulled out of the Animus, as Lucy calls it a day. She tests the retention of Desmond's skills, and notes a great amount of progress, although Desmond is suffering from minor detrimental effects, such as brief hallucinations of the past. Desmond appears to black out and has an extended, vivid hallucination or dream of Altaïr pursuing Maria, a Templar who Altaïr had spared, through Acre, and instead of attacking, proceeds to romance her. Afterwards, Desmond expects to continue following Altaïr, but the memory is now following Maria. Desmond wakes up, feeling confused.

Returning back into the Animus, Ezio continues his pursuit. Once nearly all of the conspirators are dead, only Rodrigo Borgia, the man at center of the conspiracy, remains. Ezio learns that Rodrigo has retrieved the Apple of Eden from Cyprus, and his men are delivering it to him in Venice. With all of Ezio's past allies suddenly appearing, they aid Ezio in reclaiming the Apple of Eden, but Rodrigo flees. After the battle, Ezio learns that all of his allies are Assassins, and were all guiding him throughout his life. Although Rodrigo had called himself a prophet, the Assassins state that Ezio may be the prophet described in the Codex. Letting go of the idea of revenge, Ezio is officially inducted as an Assassin.

Some sort of problem occurs with the Animus, and several memories are skipped, lapsing forward to the year 1499. Ezio, now 40 years old, uses the Apple of Eden and the completed Codex to locate a "vault" which only the prophet may open. The location is found to be in Vatican City, where Rodrigo Borgia has now become Pope Alexander VI. As Pope, Rodrigo also possesses the papal staff, another Piece of Eden. Ezio attempts to assassinate Rodrigo, but fails, and Rodrigo attempts to use the staff and the Apple of Eden to open the vault. Ezio successfully intercepts him, but spares his life, and enters the vault.

Within the vault, Ezio encounters a hologram in the form of a woman. Ezio asks if she is a goddess, but she states that she is one of the ones who "came before". She was once known as "Minerva", though she has had other names such as Merva, while others had Juno and Jupiter, formerly Uni and Tinia. Minerva explains that she and her brethren were a race of technologically advanced beings that had once lived alongside humanity, and had evolved them. However, humanity rebelled, and they eventually fell apart, with Minerva still continuing to wonder if they could live together. Ezio says that he is confused, but Minerva tells him to be silent; she is actually speaking through him, as he is the prophet. Minerva explains the occurrence of a disaster that destroyed their civilization, and that it will happen again. She notes the existence of several other temples that may assist in averting the disaster. Minerva directly addresses Desmond, saying that "The rest is up to you". Greatly confused, Ezio asks who Desmond is, but the hologram fades, and the Animus is shut down.

Abstergo has located and attacked the hideout, prompting Shaun and Rebecca to pull Desmond out of the Animus. While the two pack everything, Lucy and Desmond try to buy time, with Desmond receiving an Assassin's hidden blade and using it with great proficiency to dispose of Warren Vidic's soldiers. Desmond confronts Vidic, but he flees and the group evacuate to another safehouse. Lucy prepares to review the tapes of Desmond's latest session, noting how the situation has escalated dramatically, and speculating on the possibility of an event such as the Sun's geomagnetic reversal. Rebecca prepares the Animus for Desmond to search for artifacts or clues that may help them.

During Desmond's time in the Animus, he also encounters a series of out-of-place glyphs, located throughout his memories. The glyphs are found to be the same ones drawn in blood at Abstergo, and analysis reveals that they contain computer code, hidden in the Animus. "Subject 16", the Animus user preceding Desmond, had placed the encrypted code as a message, and Lucy had taken this data along with the copy of the Animus' memory. The encrypted code contains a great number of historical artworks, photographs, and messages, past and present, implicating a great number of prominent events and figures within the Templars, and Pieces of Eden. Unlocking all of the glyphs reveals a brief video, labeled "Subject 16, Session 12, Classified Date B.C.E." A man and woman rush through a garden-like area and a futuristic complex, with a glimpse of other people performing manual labour. On the roof of the complex, the woman holds up the Apple of Eden, and she and the man identify each other as Adam and Eve.

Development

Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot officially confirmed that Assassin's Creed II was in development on November 26, 2008 during the company's financial performance report.[14] This was followed by Michael Pachter speculating in GameTrailers' "Bonus Round" that game would change its setting to the events of the French Revolution, which turned out to be false.[15]

A promotional video was released by Ubisoft on April 6 showing a skull, some hidden blade designs, and Leonardo's flying machine on a scroll.[16]

On April 16, Game Informer magazine released details of the game, including pictures of Ezio,[17] a new teaser trailer[18] was released, and the game was "officially" announced by Ubisoft.[10]

In an interview, in May 2009, Sebastien Puel stated that the development team working on Assassin's Creed II had increased to 450 members, and the development team's size had tripled since the first game.[19]

On June 1, 2009, Ubisoft released a new four-minute cinematic Assassin's Creed II trailer at E3.[20] On June 2, 2009, Ubisoft revealed the first live gameplay demo lasting 6 minutes at the Sony Press Conference.[21] GameTrailers features an exclusive developer walkthrough from E3 2009. In an interview with GameTrailers Ubisoft Montreal creative director Patrice Desilets stated Desmond would be doing more than walking around and discovering clues.[22]

It was announced at the Assassin's Creed panel at Comic Con 2009 that a mini-series of three episodes would be released showing the events leading up to the game and the history of Ezio and his father.

It was revealed that the humorist Danny Wallace would be voicing a new character in Assassin's Creed II by the name of Shaun Hastings, a sarcastic historian assisting Desmond. The character's face was also be modeled after him[23]. Actress Kristen Bell returned for the character of Lucy Stillman.[24] The game was originally due to be released at the same time on all the three platforms, but Ubisoft announced on September 24, 2009 via Twitter that the PC version would be delayed to the first quarter of 2010 in order to have "a bit more time for the dev team to deliver the best quality game".[25]

Music

The score to Assassin's Creed II was composed by Jesper Kyd, who recorded his score with a 30-piece string ensemble and 13-person choir at Capitol Records. The electronic band, Trifonic also assisted in this soundtrack's creation.[26] A soundtrack was released via digital download on November 16.

Promotion

On October 20, 2009, Ubisoft announced an upcoming series of short movies to be broadcast via YouTube that will provide additional back story and the introduction of some of the characters found in the game. The shorts, called Assassin's Creed: Lineage, comes in three parts and was developed by Ubisoft’s Hybride Technologies, who have previously worked on the films 300 and Sin City. The series focuses upon Ezio's father, Giovanni Auditore, and contain live-action and computer generated imagery. The first of the films was released on October 27, 2009, with the remaining two released on November 13, 2009.

On November 12, 2009 Ubisoft released Assassin's Creed II themed virtual items on PlayStation Home to promote the release of the game as well as Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines for PSP.[27] Assassin's Creed II virtual items and an Ezio costume were also released on the Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360's avatars.[28] On November 19, 2009, more Assassin's Creed II virtual items were released in PlayStation Home with a costume for Ezio to be released the following week.[29]

Assasssin's Creed II is the first game to be linked to Ubisoft's Uplay community feature.[30] Progression through the game allows Uplay members to acquire points that can be redeemed for bonuses for use in the game, including a new crypt to explore and an Altair costume.[31]

Reception

Upon release, Assassin's Creed II has garnered a very positive reception from critics. Review aggregator site Metacritic, gave both Xbox 360 and PS3 versions 91 percent, based on 33 reviews.

In an exclusive review by Official Xbox Magazine, Assassin's Creed II scored 9/10.[44] Its second review was a perfect score from the Official PlayStation Magazine US, while the Official PlayStation Magazine UK scored the game a 9/10.[45]

A German magazine, Computer Bild Spiele, reported that the game's publishers offered to provide a pre-release copy of the game if the magazine would guarantee a review score of "very good." The magazine rejected the request and instead opted to delay their review.[46][47]

Limited editions

There are several different limited editions of Assassin's Creed II. The "Black Edition" contains an Ezio figurine garbed in a black Assassin's outfit, and was released in only Europe, and Australia. Included also are three bonus areas, an art book, and a DVD with music and behind the scenes videos. The "White Edition" contains one bonus area, and an Ezio figurine in his standard white outfit. [48] The "Master Assassin's Edition" is the North American limited edition, which contains an Ezio figurine, two bonus areas, an art book, and a DVD with music and behind the scenes videos.[49]

Sequel

Discussions on the details of Assassin's Creed III were already present before the release of Assassin's Creed II, with the game's staff noting discussions of possibly having a female ancestor in World War II, or the game's setting based in the Middle Ages, involving King Arthur, or feudal Japan.[50][51]

References

  1. ^ a b Ellie Gibson (2009-06-02). "E3: Assassin's Creed 2 gets release date News // None /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  2. ^ a b "News: Assassin's Creed II gets Euro date". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  3. ^ "GameStop.com - Buy Assassin's Creed 2 - PC". GameStop. Retrieved 21 Nov 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Assassin's Creed II" (Fee required). Game Informer. 2009-04-16. pp. 36–45.
  5. ^ a b "Assassin's Creed 2:Artwork and QA". Gamersyde. 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  6. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 - Dev Diary #1". Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  7. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 Pre-Order". Assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  8. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 Pre-Order". Assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  9. ^ PC Games Hardware: "Assassin's Creed 2: Engine detailed"
  10. ^ a b "Assassin's Creed 2 Release Window Announced". IGN. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  11. ^ Ferry (2009-06-03). "Assassins Creed 2 cheats guide (PSP to PS3 linkup)". VideoGamesBlogger. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  12. ^ "Hard News 04/09/09". ScrewAttack. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  13. ^ a b c "Assassin's Creed II Artwork, Q&A & Screenshots". IGN. 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  14. ^ Ubisoft Makin' Money, Teasin' Assassin's Creed 2, Kotaku.com
  15. ^ Rumor: Assassin's Creed 2 Goes Back To The Future, Kotaku.com
  16. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 Debut trailer Video". 1up. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  17. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2: New Hero, More Weapons And Missions". 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  18. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 UK Story Teaser". GameTrailers. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  19. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2's Team Triples". Kotaku. 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  20. ^ "Assassin's Creed II E3 2009 Trailer". IGN. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  21. ^ Destructoid: "E3 09: Assassin's Creed 2 footage from the Sony conference"
  22. ^ Posted: June 4, 2009 @ 12:00 PM (2009-06-04). "Assassin's Creed II Video Game, E3 09: Exclusive Developer Walkthrough | Game Trailers & Videos". GameTrailers.com. Retrieved 2009-06-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 Danny Wallace interview #1".
  24. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2".
  25. ^ "Assassin's Creed 2 PC has moved to the first quarter of 2010. A bit more time for the dev team to deliver the best quality game to you". 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  26. ^ Goldwasser, Dan (2009-11-06). "Jesper Kyd scores Assassin's Creed II". ScoringSessions.com. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  27. ^ Locust_Star (11-11-2009). "This Week in PlayStation Home: Assassin's Creed, Final Fantasy XIII, Fullmetal Alchemist and A&E's Lawman". Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-11-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ McElroy, Griffin (11-12-2009). "DJ Hero and Assassin's Creed 2 Avatar items added to Marketplace". Joystiq. Retrieved 2009-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Locust_Star (11-18-2009). "Special Thanksgiving Event in PlayStation Home + UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves Fortune Hunter Edition Contest". SCE. Retrieved 2009-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Uplay launches with Assassin's Creed II". Edge. 11-18-2009. Retrieved 2009-11-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "ACII launches Uplay rewards system". Eurogamer. 11-18-2009. Retrieved 2009-11-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ Xbox 360 GameRankings
  33. ^ PS3 GameRankings
  34. ^ http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/assassinscreed2/review.html
  35. ^ http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/review-assassins-creed-ii?page=0%2C1
  36. ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/assassins-creed-ii-console-review
  37. ^ http://gameinformer.com/games/assassins_creed_ii/b/ps3/archive/2009/11/17/review.aspx
  38. ^ http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1045745p1.html
  39. ^ http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1046072p1.html
  40. ^ Giant Bomb
  41. ^ http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1808/Assassins-Creed-II/p1/
  42. ^ Xbox 360 Metacritic
  43. ^ PS3 Metacritic
  44. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/assassinscreed2
  45. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/assassinscreed2
  46. ^ "Aktuelle Ausgabe 12/2009" (in German). Computer Bild Spiele. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
  47. ^ Good, Owen (2009-11-09). "German Mag Claims Ubi Demanded Positive Review On Assassin's Creed II". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  48. ^ "Your Assassin's Creed 2 Limited Edition Choice Is Black And White". Kotaku Australia. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  49. ^ By Polybren (2009-08-04). "Assassin's Creed II limited edition detailed - GameSpot News Blog - Gaming News and Videos". Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  50. ^ By Sebastien Puel (2009-10-13). "Ubisoft Contemplates Female Assassin's Creed Hero". Neoseeker.com. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  51. ^ By Philippe Bergeron (2009-10-27). "Assassin's Creed III to be set in Feudal Japan?". Gadgetreview.com. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
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