I did not expect a sequel for Assassin's Creed II to come out this fast, but it did. Is this a true sequel, or not?
Storyline
Ezio returns in this game, as well as other familiar faces, like Mario, La Volpe, and the present Assassins like Desmond.
The story continues directly from Assassin's Creed II ending. After escaping from the Templars, Desmond and other Assassins escaped to Monteriggioni and made it as their new hideout. After finished setting up the Animus 2.0, Desmond continues to search his ancestor's memories about what's happening after the events at Rome.
The story presented in Ezio's adventure is well done. I have to laud Ubisoft to make a fantastic story telling for Ezio. However, the present storyline is not as much as interesting, as the ending does not give any conclusion to the Assassin's Creed series lore especially the story in the present, but more confusions and puzzles. Hopefully, Assassin's Creed III will explain the ending of this game in detail, as I am actually confused as to what happened exactly in the ending.
In short, this game have a good storyline, but may disappoint Assassin's Creed series fan as it fails to clarify any mysteries from the two main Assassin's Creed games.
Every characters in this game are very interesting, especially Ezio, Cesare, etc. I would also like to note that Shaun's sarcasm works well in this game as well, as I am quite amused with his sarcastic remarks.
Gameplay
More refined gameplay, with the newly added Kill Streaks.
The game plays largely the same as Assassin's Creed II, with some great additions. Ezio now has access to Kill Streaks, where he can instant kill another enemy whenever he killed an enemy. As long as he is uninterrupted, he can keep using the Kill Streak on the field. You can also simultaneously use your Hidden Gun to kill another enemy when killing one with your sword.
Rome is a large city. And you gonna need horses to travel quickly in the city to your destinations, or using the Tunnel System.
Like the main Assassin's Creed games, you need to go to certain areas to start your missions. As with the second game, the missions are varied to have this game entertain you every time. With a variety of missions, you won't feel easily bored.
Unlike the second game, you can always replay a MEMORY to gain 100% Synchronization with the particular MEMORY. By having 100% Synch in every MISSIONs in a SEQUENCE, you may receive a reward like a cheatcode or something, which can be worthwhile doing. However, in order to get a 100% Synch for a MISSION, you need to complete certain conditions. For example, killing Target A using Air Assassination allows you to achieve 100% Synch with that MISSION.
You can also do some training programs at the menu. Completing each program unlocks the Raiden costume from MGS4, which is an awesome costume for Ezio to wear.
Also, unlike the second game, you can always exit the Animus to roam your hideout base. There is nothing much to do, but you can collect artifacts or chat with Shaun, Rebecca, and Lucy for more information of themselves or the current Assassins status.
You have your own band of Assassins. However, their usage is rather limited.
Now, Ezio can recruit his own band of Assassins. In order to recruit a new Assassin, you need to rescue him/her or from Borgia soldiers. By doing so, they will pledge loyalty to you and will become one of Ezio's Apprentices. At first, you can only recruit up to three Assassins. But by destroying Borgia towers, you can recruit more new Assassins.
Each Assassin starts with Level 1. By calling them to fight with you against Borgia's soldiers, they can gain Experience. However, it is to be noted that they can die if they are low leveled, especially against tough enemies. If the Assassin you called is killed in action, you need to recruit a new one to fill in his/her spot. However, this is purely optional, as you can or not recruit a new Assassin.
Another way to increase the Assassins' Experience is by sending them to Missions. By completing it, they can gain Experience points. By gaining enough EXP, they can go to the next level. Furthering your Apprentices' Levels will allow them to have better equipments, which means they can have better chances of survival when fighting tough Borgia soldiers.
You can also customise your Apprentices's appearance, such as robe colours. However, when they reach the maximum of Level 10, they will become a full fledged Assassin, which means you can customise them further.
This system is called BAM system, short for Brotherhood Assist Move. If you have 3 Assassins at your disposal, you have 1 BAM slot. By using a BAM slot, you can call your Assassins to kill any Borgia guards nearby or kill a target that you Lock-On to. When in Open Conflict, you can use 1 BAM Slot to call your Assassins to fight the Borgia guards if you think they have outnumbered you. If you have recruited more than 9 Assassins, you can use 3 BAM slots to use Arrow Storm, which can kill any nearby Borgia guards using their Crossbows.
Ezio also has access to new weapons, such as Crossbow. Crossbow is extremely useful to kill an enemy without alerting others. Thus, it can be more useful than your Hidden Gun at different situations.
Destroy Borgia towers to RENOVATE shops, banks, and recruit new Assassins' Apprentices. Synchronize with Viewpoints to find the locations of the Shops and Borgia towers in Rome.
Unlike the second game, shops will not unlock directly. In order to open shops, you need to destroy Borgia towers and use your money to RENOVATE the shops. There are few shops and locations you can RENOVATE to increase your income:
1. Doctor
2. Blacksmith
3. Tailor
4. Art
5. Stables
6. Tunnels
7. Banks
By doing this, you can also generate more income for yourself, as you going to need a lot of money to buy new equipments and items. This is similar to Assassin's Creed II income system, except more expanded.
In short summary, I love Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood's new refined gameplay, as it is much better and varied in each MISSIONS. However, the BAM System needs more tuning, as there is nothing much to do for them except killing Borgia guards and completing their own MISSIONS.
Graphics
Awesome graphics.
I always love Assassin's Creed games graphics. Beautiful, and awesome. Detailed character models, and beautiful environments. Rome is a beautiful city in this game, and you will not get tired looking at it.
It is to be noted that the PS3 version has some frame rates problems, but it does not hinder the experience of playing the game.
Sound
Superb voice acting by experienced voice actors, with great music backing it up by Jesper Kyd.
Needless to say, this game has awesome voice acting by Roger Craig Smith (Ezio), Nolan North (Desmond Miles), Kristen Bell (Lucy), Danny Wallace (Shaun), etc. The voice actors give authentic life to the Italian characters, such as Leonardo, Mario, Claudia, Niccolo, etc. I am pleased to hear that their accents are more authentic than other voice actors, and I must applaud their efforts of voicing their characters.
The soundtrack is as awesome, as always. I expect nothing less from Jesper Kyd. However, there are some pieces of music reused from Assassin's Creed II, so it may be a repetition to some people.
Storyline
Ezio returns in this game, as well as other familiar faces, like Mario, La Volpe, and the present Assassins like Desmond.
The story continues directly from Assassin's Creed II ending. After escaping from the Templars, Desmond and other Assassins escaped to Monteriggioni and made it as their new hideout. After finished setting up the Animus 2.0, Desmond continues to search his ancestor's memories about what's happening after the events at Rome.
The story presented in Ezio's adventure is well done. I have to laud Ubisoft to make a fantastic story telling for Ezio. However, the present storyline is not as much as interesting, as the ending does not give any conclusion to the Assassin's Creed series lore especially the story in the present, but more confusions and puzzles. Hopefully, Assassin's Creed III will explain the ending of this game in detail, as I am actually confused as to what happened exactly in the ending.
In short, this game have a good storyline, but may disappoint Assassin's Creed series fan as it fails to clarify any mysteries from the two main Assassin's Creed games.
Every characters in this game are very interesting, especially Ezio, Cesare, etc. I would also like to note that Shaun's sarcasm works well in this game as well, as I am quite amused with his sarcastic remarks.
Gameplay
More refined gameplay, with the newly added Kill Streaks.
The game plays largely the same as Assassin's Creed II, with some great additions. Ezio now has access to Kill Streaks, where he can instant kill another enemy whenever he killed an enemy. As long as he is uninterrupted, he can keep using the Kill Streak on the field. You can also simultaneously use your Hidden Gun to kill another enemy when killing one with your sword.
Rome is a large city. And you gonna need horses to travel quickly in the city to your destinations, or using the Tunnel System.
Like the main Assassin's Creed games, you need to go to certain areas to start your missions. As with the second game, the missions are varied to have this game entertain you every time. With a variety of missions, you won't feel easily bored.
Unlike the second game, you can always replay a MEMORY to gain 100% Synchronization with the particular MEMORY. By having 100% Synch in every MISSIONs in a SEQUENCE, you may receive a reward like a cheatcode or something, which can be worthwhile doing. However, in order to get a 100% Synch for a MISSION, you need to complete certain conditions. For example, killing Target A using Air Assassination allows you to achieve 100% Synch with that MISSION.
You can also do some training programs at the menu. Completing each program unlocks the Raiden costume from MGS4, which is an awesome costume for Ezio to wear.
Also, unlike the second game, you can always exit the Animus to roam your hideout base. There is nothing much to do, but you can collect artifacts or chat with Shaun, Rebecca, and Lucy for more information of themselves or the current Assassins status.
You have your own band of Assassins. However, their usage is rather limited.
Now, Ezio can recruit his own band of Assassins. In order to recruit a new Assassin, you need to rescue him/her or from Borgia soldiers. By doing so, they will pledge loyalty to you and will become one of Ezio's Apprentices. At first, you can only recruit up to three Assassins. But by destroying Borgia towers, you can recruit more new Assassins.
Each Assassin starts with Level 1. By calling them to fight with you against Borgia's soldiers, they can gain Experience. However, it is to be noted that they can die if they are low leveled, especially against tough enemies. If the Assassin you called is killed in action, you need to recruit a new one to fill in his/her spot. However, this is purely optional, as you can or not recruit a new Assassin.
Another way to increase the Assassins' Experience is by sending them to Missions. By completing it, they can gain Experience points. By gaining enough EXP, they can go to the next level. Furthering your Apprentices' Levels will allow them to have better equipments, which means they can have better chances of survival when fighting tough Borgia soldiers.
You can also customise your Apprentices's appearance, such as robe colours. However, when they reach the maximum of Level 10, they will become a full fledged Assassin, which means you can customise them further.
This system is called BAM system, short for Brotherhood Assist Move. If you have 3 Assassins at your disposal, you have 1 BAM slot. By using a BAM slot, you can call your Assassins to kill any Borgia guards nearby or kill a target that you Lock-On to. When in Open Conflict, you can use 1 BAM Slot to call your Assassins to fight the Borgia guards if you think they have outnumbered you. If you have recruited more than 9 Assassins, you can use 3 BAM slots to use Arrow Storm, which can kill any nearby Borgia guards using their Crossbows.
Ezio also has access to new weapons, such as Crossbow. Crossbow is extremely useful to kill an enemy without alerting others. Thus, it can be more useful than your Hidden Gun at different situations.
Destroy Borgia towers to RENOVATE shops, banks, and recruit new Assassins' Apprentices. Synchronize with Viewpoints to find the locations of the Shops and Borgia towers in Rome.
Unlike the second game, shops will not unlock directly. In order to open shops, you need to destroy Borgia towers and use your money to RENOVATE the shops. There are few shops and locations you can RENOVATE to increase your income:
1. Doctor
2. Blacksmith
3. Tailor
4. Art
5. Stables
6. Tunnels
7. Banks
By doing this, you can also generate more income for yourself, as you going to need a lot of money to buy new equipments and items. This is similar to Assassin's Creed II income system, except more expanded.
In short summary, I love Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood's new refined gameplay, as it is much better and varied in each MISSIONS. However, the BAM System needs more tuning, as there is nothing much to do for them except killing Borgia guards and completing their own MISSIONS.
Graphics
Awesome graphics.
I always love Assassin's Creed games graphics. Beautiful, and awesome. Detailed character models, and beautiful environments. Rome is a beautiful city in this game, and you will not get tired looking at it.
It is to be noted that the PS3 version has some frame rates problems, but it does not hinder the experience of playing the game.
Sound
Superb voice acting by experienced voice actors, with great music backing it up by Jesper Kyd.
Needless to say, this game has awesome voice acting by Roger Craig Smith (Ezio), Nolan North (Desmond Miles), Kristen Bell (Lucy), Danny Wallace (Shaun), etc. The voice actors give authentic life to the Italian characters, such as Leonardo, Mario, Claudia, Niccolo, etc. I am pleased to hear that their accents are more authentic than other voice actors, and I must applaud their efforts of voicing their characters.
The soundtrack is as awesome, as always. I expect nothing less from Jesper Kyd. However, there are some pieces of music reused from Assassin's Creed II, so it may be a repetition to some people.
