IGN: Assassin's Creed II Review

IGN writes:

"Assassin's Creed II is the follow-up to Ubisoft's 2007 hit that attracted a mass audience if not unanimous critical acclaim. The sequel is an expansive and bloody romp through Renaissance Italy that plays up every popular aspect of the first installment while righting many of its flaws. Assassin's Creed II has evolved from an ill-defined action game into a fully featured open world experience. Everything from the new monetary system to the ability to buy armor and weapons makes it a richer, and ultimately more satisfying game than its predecessor."

[Hellsvacancy]

"The sequel is an expansive and bloody romp through Renaissance Italy that plays up every popular aspect of the first installment while righting many of its flaws. Assassin's Creed II has evolved from an ill-defined action game into a fully featured open world experience. Everything from the new monetary system to the ability to buy armor and weapons makes it a richer, and ultimately more satisfying game than its predecessor" (Sorry 4 the copy and paste)

So y did it only get a 9.2? oh its coz it hasnt got any guns or the name Call Of Duty in it, i think its coz its more of a PS3 title then a 360 title hence the exclusive advertisin (and not 4-gettin it looks better on the PS3)

Not that i give a damn about reviews and scores i know wot i like and wot i dont i just gettin PROPER p|ssed when it cums 2 a game I like (and it does take ALOT 2 please this old dog)

Cant wait 4 the Heavy Rain review :-/

[Apocwhen]

Game is getting great scores all around. Another great multi-plat game. Too many games this time of year to pick up, just need the money.

[Lifendz]

Devs listened to the criticism, improved the game, but didn't change what people liked. Unfortunately I'm flat broke after buying like 3 games in the last month. I'd like to buy this but it may be a rental.

[Jamescagney]

Looks like a great game, I'll be buying it.

Btw Hellsvacancy, if you don't care about the score why do you waffle on so much with a load of conspiracy nonsense?

[The_Devil_Hunter]

Nice to see that Ubi Montreal actually hears us out..or almost any devs in particular

[NoBias]

But... How in the world does that get a 10 in graphics vs the 9 this game gets?? AC2 looks absolutely gorgeous. If any multiplat gets a 10 in graphics, it should be this title (or RE:V).

Either way, AC2 looks stupidly great. Can't wait to get my hands on this game. I'll be grabbin this for my PS3, I want extra killing tools ha.

[Chubear]

Gametrailers and gamespot gave AC1 9s so I'm guessing this one they'll have to give 10s or atleast 9.8 shouldn't they?

[GMR_PR]

Judging by this review, this game might be another GOTY contender. So many good games this year.

[BRG9000]

I like how you complain the game didn't get a high enough score while people below say it is being overrated. This game sure seems to have divided the community that hasn't played it.

[himdeel]

...and I got really excited. Love the fact that there will be so much to do and see. I've really enjoyed the games with meaty single player campaigns this year.

[ironcreed]

Why on earth are you complaining that it got a 9.2? How in the hell is a 9.2 an unfair score? Good god.

[Cold 2000]

Lol how far are you people going to go ? When is the craziness going to stop ?

360 exclusive gets a high score = conspiracy

PS3 exclusive gets a low score = conspiracy

PS3 exclusive gets AAA score but not better than any recent 360 exclusive = conspiracy

Multiplat gets a high score = conspiracy
.
.
.
PS3 exclusive like Resistance 2 gets a 9.5, A LOT better than what it deserves = great game, great review, 360 cant handle that, IGN is the only consistent site etc etc

And NOW youre bringing up a conspiracy theory saying IGN give it "low" score because its more of a PS3 game ??? What the heck does that even mean since its multiplat. I guess GTA4, DMC4 and RE5 for instance are "more of a 360" game because MS had an exclusive marketing deal with those games?? And what about all the other 99% of multiplats that run better on 360 ?? Does that make it more of a 360 game ?

Lol, I think Sony fanb0yism has just hit a new low.

[Megan Fox]

"...PS3's juttering and screen tearing starts to rattle the frame during action sequences involving multiple characters. Hopefully Ubisoft can address some of these concerns with a patch as soon as possible, but at this stage, the PS3's version once again lacks polish. "

-IGN AU

I guess I'm getting the superior version on Xbox 360.

[NoBias]

You hit the nail on the head. I thought the sony fanboyism hit a new low when you compare the recent "XBL turns 7" article vs the "PSN turns 3" article. The comments in comparing both of those articles are insane. They couldn't just let 360 fans have that thread to themselves.. Meanwhile PSN thread is just constant praise. So hypocritical.

I agree, this site is becoming more and more ridiculous with the influx of Sony Fanboys. It's sad. I honestly wish another site could be created like this one that emphasis more on gamers and positive comments, rather than the filth that comes from hundreds of fanboys.

The only way you'll have the majority of agrees and less attacks made on you is if you say something Pro Sony or Anti 360. It's pathetic and I don't buy into it.

Hellsvacancy writes: "Not that i give a damn about reviews and scores"

Hmm... Though you cared enough to make the first complaining comment about both the review and the score..? You don't make any sense.

[poopface1]

EVERYONE AND THERE MOM KNOWS THAT THE 360 VERSION IS THE BETTER ONE. 360 version not only looks better but we will see how much "more of a playstation" game this is when it sells more on 360. PS3 has a mandatory instal and still has worse textures AND TAKES LONGER TO LOAD.

DONT WORRY GUY ABOVE, EVERYONE KNOWS THE SONY FANBOYS ARE PATHETIC AND THEIR FAVORITE THING TO DO IS CRY AND WHINE. tHEY ESPECIALLY WHINE WHENEVER A NEW MULTIPLAT COMES OUT AND IS BETTER ON 360(LIKE AC 2 LOOKING BETTTER ON 360 OR MW 2 AND BORDERLANDS ONLINE ACTUALLY WORKING WHEN ITS RELEASED ON 360).

[Eamon]

Hellsvacancy,

"So y did it only get a 9.2?"

Are you retarded or something. ONLY!!??
9.2 is a very high score since it's gone past the 90% boundary. The reason it doesn't get 9.5+ is probably because IGN does not consider it to be the level of a masterpiece.

If you don't care about the score, why are making an issue out of it?

I'm a fan of the first AC game and whatever the score was I was gonna get this anyway.

[DelbertGrady]

*puts on tinfoil hat and grabs popcorn*

[NoBias]

You're not exactly helping my point... :\

Allow me to reiterate...

"I honestly wish another site could be created like this one that emphasis more on gamers and positive comments, rather than the filth that comes from hundreds of fanboys."

[hobokiller]

Since the first one got a 7.7 from IGN, a 9.2 is a big improvement.

[Saaking]

YES. they have fixed the issues. Definite must buy now.

[snp]

You're not exactly helping my point... :\
-----

Lol. Because he's demonstrating the opposite - in plain site - of what the first three quarters of your post was myopically arguing? Don't you hate that?

-----
Allow me to reiterate...

"I honestly wish another site could be created like this one that emphasis more on gamers and positive comments, rather than the filth that comes from hundreds of fanboys."
------

If only that was the entirety of your post i'd completely agree (and hopefully the ironic accidental chiding from the 360 troll will prompt you to leave it at that in future), unfortunately the first three quarters of your post though, was basically an apt demonstration of the problem - ie. a one eyed rant against 'Sony fanboys' seemingly unaware that 'fanboys' come in all shapes and sizes (and are pretty similarly virile and ubiquitous when not viewed through coloured glasses of any particular).

I bar-en-large stay out of Xbox 360 threds (unless they're multiplatform PC-also releases) because i have no interest, basically, as i don't own a Xbox, but i can assure you the vast majority of 360+Pc and PS3 (even PS3 only) threads i wander through are riddled with plenty of anti-PS3 trolls.

[Madusha]

9.2 sweet :D Good to see #2 is doing well. Definitely buying on day 1.

[mikeslemonade]

I'm still confused on why you would buy this game. It's not as good as Uncharted 2, it has no online, and therefore I can beat it in a week or less. Assasin's Creed 1 did not deserve the sales it got and AC2 should not either.

[vhero]

played the first one for about 60 minutes and got soooo bored it i'm definitely not picking this one up but as for people saying GOTY contender? I doubt it there are too many other far superior games out this year I think. It came at a bad time simple as. It is probably everything the first game should have been too. As for graphics getting a 9? Are IGN losing it lately? I seen graphics on some videos in HD and they look pretty bad compared to even MW2 which wasn't that good! I think because these are multiplatform games reviewers are being lenient on graphics and they shouldn't!

[Sarcasm]

I've played the 360 version for a good 4-5 hours yesterday and I can confirm, it's completely superior to the first one in every way. The graphics are excellent, the pacing feels more balanced and the gameplay is more varied. I'm still shocked that in my 5 hour play through I'm still learning new things. Good job Ubisoft, you've made an excellent game.

[interrergator]

wait a minute isnt these guys gave the first one a 7.7 somthin

[Pirateogta]

Yeah. Well, the 360 version at least. The inferior PS3 version got a 7.5.

[TheBand1t]

a .2 difference. How horrible.

[vhero]

Well the comparisons show the 360 is the inferior version this time as the PS3 version was the lead.

[Kaliumhest]

Itsa mee, Marioo!

[The_Devil_Hunter]

Hehe I was about to say that.. lol

[Evildoomnerd]

I see what you did there, Ubisoft.

[Sarcasm]

lol

It's a meeee... Marrriooo! I just look-ah different with only one eye!

[ginsunuva]

Why do the IGN xbox guys always review multiplats? Probably cuz they have no exclusives to review. And they have lower standards than the ps3 reviewers so they overrate games.

[56325]

That's pure fanboyism, even though i thought this game was getting a 9.5 or more (FYI, I own a PS3).

[Gago]

9.2 on IGN = 8.5 in reality

good enough for me I guess

[The Captain]

IGN gave this a great score!! How can you not be happy with this?
Man, just play the game and enjoy it.

[tuglu_pati]

"You People are Retarded
IGN gave this a great score!! How can you not be happy with this?
Man, just play the game and enjoy it. "

remember you are in N4G, only PS3 exclusives are allowed to get high scores.

On topic,

i might have to check out this game.

[DARK WITNESS]

come on guys, must we drag this fanboy crap into everything...

the game is getting great scores and it seems they truly have improved a lot over the first. a 9.2 is as good a score as any game should want.

Is it now the new standard that if a game is not an absolute 10/10 then there is something wrong with it, or someone is being biased ?

Please...

considering all the other great games out now, I am glad its showing its still got a lot going on for it.

just enjoy it.

[Jamescagney]

Yeah I'm sick of it really, every game that gets released is scrutinized and picked upon by fanboys. Far more time by the fanboys is spent on the internet picking holes in games rather than actually playing them.

They're pathetic.

[Socomer 1979]

those ign xbox guys have alot of free time on thier hands. they always review multiplats. thats why everything is rated a 9. when you pay for xbox live it dam well better be a 9.

the ign ps3 guys are like the snobs of ign. they are so stuck up and ps3 spoiled with the best new games. of course there is not enough time to review a multiplat. Sony drops so many new hits on them that they actually have to think before giving a review.

sorry, you may think its pure fanboyism but there is a big difference between a xbox360 9 and a ps3 9.
apparently from what the industry has taught us, its even evident in multiplats.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Yeah, they already had to review about 4 AAA PS3 games in the past 4 weeks alone...

[JonnyBigBoss]

Great game. I'll be getting the PC version.

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

Kills it for me :(
What's the point of all those awesome features and game length is you can basically blow through it without dying?

Getting real tired of this "let's make everything easy for the mainstream gamer" trend :-/

Can anyone confirm if there's a hard difficulty setting?

[Ravage27]

you should check out Demon's Souls, i've got a feeling that it might just be that game you are looking for :)

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

Touche, my man.
I do have it, and I love it so much.

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

So I got a disagree for saying I own and love Demon's Souls?
Wow.

[ThisPlaceSucksBye]

Disagree with me? Why don't you write it instead of anonymously disagreeing? Too much of a wimp?

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

Neither can I cos I predict a FLOP!

back on topic 9.2 is a great score for a game... But AC1 left me bitter... I will probably pick up AC2 pre owned in a few months time when I can get it for cheap...

[cereal_killa]

Wow a 360 fanboy predicts a PS3 exclusive to be a flop NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! never would have seen that coming did PP help you with that observation.

[redsquad]

Well, if you bleat the same tired cliché about EVERY PS3 exclusive, you're bound to be right sooner or later.

Then you can do the noddding dog act, splutter "Nya, you see? Nya" and pretend you weren't wrong the rest of the time.

[Sarcasm]

Every PS3 exclusive game to him is a flop, so in his own pixie fairy xbox reality, it's the truth in his mind.

:)

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

I might get the SUPERIOR PS3 Version;)

[AliTheBrit19]

Check out the screens and direct roll over comparisons yourself, you can see the 360 version has deeper colours, not much else, just better colours

As well as, faster loading, less screen tearing and no FORCED install

Put the PSP aside, this is about PS3 v 360, no gimmicky ingame weapons that you can only get with an entire other console is going to change that

And you will see, the 360 version is the definitely the Superior version.

The 1 and only time the PS3 version should logically be picked is if
- You own both consoles
- As well as a PSP
- And for some reason really care about the silly DLC the PSP version adds

Have a nice day, and a big cup of common sense.

http://www.lensoftruth.com/...

[cereal_killa]

Lens of Fail roflmmfao That site is now the new site for the Muppet's this along with Metajoke is now the dynamic duo of Flame bait. AlitheMuppet please give it up your hypocrisy is so obvious you know dam well if the 360 had the exclusive content you would gloating about it and rubbing it in everyone's face you claim to be a fan of both system but it's obvious to everyone where you stand and there's no hiding it.

[Flawza Motorputt 3]

A definite improvement from the first.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Dammit...I still have UC2 multiplayer, ratchet and clank and infamous to play. Plus the BF beta starts in what 2 days?? and gow III demo I play at least once a day haha. Now this and I still would like to try MW2, but I dunno Activision sucks a big one.

[Pika-pie]

Ahh jeez, thanks a lot IGN AU, now im gonna have to buy both versions of the game to see if the differences really are so bad. Strange though that neither US or UK reviews highlighted this.

[Odreus]

I dont believe that some games get a straight 10. I mean "10" is perfect and there arent any "perfect" games. Each game has its own faults, so there shouldnt exist a straight 10 in reviews. Id rather judge/review the games that I buy by myself. Thats another sign that the Media doesnt tell the truth.

[QuackPot]

..in gaming. Like you said, nothing is perfect.

However, there are games that overall, are such a great experience that they warrant being given a 10. But not for perfection.

Uncharted 2 is an example of such a game. Far from perfect but an awesome experience all round.

By the review video, 9.2 does seem fair and good.

Well done ubi. You're up there with EA now. Bring on more quality multiplats.

[Campy da Camper]

I'm sitting on owned copies of Demon's Souls and MW2. Gamefly just delivered Ratchet and Clank and Borderlands. How in the hell am I supposed to get this game in????

And for Chrisake, GoW 1/2 remastered just landed. HELP!!!!!!

DAMN JOB!

[Freak of Nature]

I quess you should play Ratchet and Borderlands first for the next 2 to 3 weeks since they are rentals.Then get to your "owned copy" games.

I am back and forth with Uncharted 2 MP,Forza 3,and am now just going to get into Ratchet and Assassins creed 2.....And I already own MF2,I have that on the back burner until I finish these other games, and I love the gameawell as LFD 2....LOL! Plus LBP always calls for more playtime,I love that little gem.Too many games,too little time.But it's a good problem to have....

[shovelbum]

Good to hear since I liked the first one regardless of the monotony. The armor/weapon merchants will certainly make exploration much more interesting as well. I'll be picking it up tonight along with L4D2.

[DonCorneo]

just like prince of persia

and here's why: http://www.destructoid.com/...

[walken7]

can you skip the damn cutscenes?

[boJABER]

i think IGN UK score is better. they gave it 8.8

[Freak of Nature]

I have said many times that the first one was a "flawed masterpiece",and with this one the devs sure seem to have listened to the fans.

[Dead_Cell]

But please god Ubisoft I hope you gave us the option to skip the irrelevant cutscenes everytime you load up.

[3rik]

I've been wanting this game for a while (loved the first one, even with its repetitive story). I've been getting very bored of shooters and rpgs have been not what I've been craving lately. Next paycheck, I will be running across the rooftops of Italy with glee!

[Baba1906]

people take reviews way to seriously and when i read 9.2 is to low than i can only laugh.

[Keowrath]

Yeah, I think it's beacause reviewers throw out 10's far too often. Review scores this generation are a complete and utter joke!

I remember when 80%+ was a must buy!... Damn I'm old =p

[redsquad]

Yes! Actually looking forward to this now. Soooooo good to hear that SP campaign fans are getting some love for once.

[Tru_Blu]

Liked the first AC and this one takes it to a new level. I'm maybe 3 hours in and can say.. great game.

[KYU2130]

i played it for a few hrs last night and in comparison to the old one gameplay was exceptional. I saw why it got its score. As for those complaining about thr 9.2 and the 9.5s being given it deserves it. the games is good but its not perfect. it has soome minor graphics issues here and there. And i suspect that the opening limitations you are saddled with caused the rest.

overall though this is a welcomed addition to my gaming collection and UPlay is a very interesting and good idea.

Did anyone else notice the download(additional content) section that linked to the PS store. any word on what type of content they are talking about releasing.

[Keowrath]

You can now buy new weapons and armour! I haven't really followed much with AC2 after being so utterly disapointed with the original but that was one of my biggest gripes. Having a big open world to run around in but very little to actually do.

I've gone from, First impressions last, AC sucked (one of the few games I've actually traded in) to viewing the new one with an open mind. It won't be a day 1 but it has now appeared as a blip on the ol' radar.

[Commander TK]

A lot of contenders for GOTY. Uncharted 2, MW2, Infamous, KZ2, AC2, GOW collectione etc... Ah, the smell of success. 4 exclusives on the Trey