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REVIEW OF VIRTUAL GAME - ASSASSIN'S CREED 2
There is something beautifully fascinating about in the release of sequels. Especially if that happens to be a game, which is themed around on a pre-medieval context. Assassin's creed, the highly acclaimed game of visual dominance and streaky storyline, displayed the technical prowess remarkably unseen in most other games of that time. With the set launch of 'Assassin Creed 2,' most other game developers are sent shivering back to their drawing boards, as they had to sit up and take notice to what the game has to offer. "It is a feast indeed!"
As always, the story to the game takes off from where it was left stranded by its predecessor. 'Desmond Miles is seen laden on bed, of what appears like some kind of a lab. He has been held a 'hostage,' by the Abstergo Corporation, this lab belongs to them! Desmond has been bought in and held as a convict, so that the corporation lab can happily embark on his genetic memory. 'They are particularly keen on thriving upon it!' Even as a player to the game, you will be left scratching your heads as to, "what is all the hoopla about the genetic memory" and all?
What makes Assassin creed unique as a game is its intrigued nature of storytelling. Surely from the looks of it, it is a sci-fi thriller with a heavy dose of medieval history backing it up. With such a mix match, the plot needs, definitely, be creating some mild confusion. Otherwise it would dauntingly be boring. Desmond's genetic memory forms the raw matter, which when used with modern technology, allows the company to port him back during in any of his assassin ancestral age. This is bound to be used in a mere negative way by that company.
A quick escape from the Abstergo labs and Desmond lands in the safety of a secret hideout which being manned by a credo of assassin's. This secret hideout is equipped with the very same technology as owned with the corporation, to access and relieve his ancestral past. Cut down a few scenes and the players get to witness the unveiling of one marvelous visual extravaganza.
Transported through a vortex of time, players are met with a new character to the game story; 'Ezio Auditore da Firenze'. When you first see him, he is a newly born to one Italian invest banker. As with passage of time, Ezio is a young man with a lot of (unnecessary) energy to spend. He comes across as the finest, suitable charmer, who loves his wine as much as he loves being a womanizer. But all of this before he dons the robe of the Assassin. Some turn of events later to his life, he finds about the creed and before you know it, he becomes an integral part of the entire game's story line.
The game scores precious brownie points on its detailed, immersive, environments those that are nicely accompanied with a satisfying and believable aural setting. Set in the time of renaissance Italy, players are awarded to explore (and enjoy) the cities of Venice, Florence and many other. These cities are bought to life, virtually, with use of some sheer brilliance of marvelous pixel detailing. As Ezio moves around through the towns, the player witnesses that the crowd isn't formed of mundane, expressionless rag dolls. As is seen in most of the game environments! Instead, they have the life of their own, 'like wise; there are people who are busy with sweeping the entrance to their shops, other are just strolling around, groups enjoying a nice outing at nearby shady bench. These make believe seems so much real, that for a gist of moment you forget that what you are watching is a virtual world. Noteworthy voice acting and orchestral score adds to the game's immersive factor. The background sound that plays during the many scenes happens to be so subtle with its characteristic value that you have to stress on it to be able to decipher and realize to know if at all it was humming. The music never interferes with 'in-your-face' beats drumming down on you. Instead it gets you immersed throughout the game...as it begins to progress.
Assassin's creed is no staler. In fact, it is fast in terms of game play. Also the sense of speed with which Ezio moves around, jumping off high rooftops and scaling buildings, becomes quite remarkable. The acrobatics are put to some interesting use when during the various fights. Beginners or novice palyers may find themselves smashing a particular button repetitively in most of the fights, but the game tactaical combat design allows for more maneuvers than seem possible. With use of plethora of combination, using different buttons (on the controller or keyboards) the fights can be transformed into a sort of an art. Basic swords, to double daggers there are many weapons that Ezio can make himself comfortable with, to face against one or two, many opponents.
This is an open ended game. That means, the players aren't forced to go about completing missions. They can choose to do it in any order they please. Apart from the main missions, which are always highlighted by exclamation mark onto the maps, there are numerous small tasks that are thrown around in the game. The main missions are the obvious, and interesting, but the players will have more fun trying to complete the other 'hard-to-miss' tasks.
Requirements for playing Assassin Creed 2 - A lot of patience and a true blue gamer's attitude. The game has come a long way for its predecessor. It irons out al the issues, like the lost plot and all other, that marred the previous game. The game truly defines the genre of open ended games, and by no means can be less of a benchmark to that very genre. Everything has some minor flaws. This game suffers from those too! But excluding those minor glitches that prevails the game is a near on perfect. "Now! Not too many sequels can claim of that ..can they!"
