Assassin's Creed 2

[Dunkurtin]

http://assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/#/home
http://au.gamespot.com/pc/action/assassinscreed2/index.html?tag=result;title;1
http://au.ps3.ign.com/objects/143/14302494.html

So anyone else pre ordered the black edition from EB?
http://assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/preorder_AUL.php

Looking forward to see what they put in the Conspiracy Book. Game Soundtrack should be a nice extra too. =]

[Sweating Bullets]

Tempting to get it at EB for the art book. Or maybe just get it from JB and then get the art book on ebay.

[Cian]

I.....I.....god dammit, I gave in. I pre-ordered the Black Edition.


I'm not getting my hopes up considering how poor the original was, but I'm expecting a better title.

[Second]

I'm considering pre-ordering the Black. It's so tempting... but I fear that once I go Black... ;)

[Manny M]

The first game had a lot of promise, but was let down in so many areas... so that considered i'm surprised that anyone is bothering to pre-order this, especially those expensive paperweight bundles.

Hopefully they truly learn from their mistakes and this is the game it should've been. From reading bits and pieces since E3, it does look promising.

[Second]

The first game had a lot of promise, but was let down in so many areas... so that considered i'm surprised that anyone is bothering to pre-order this, especially those expensive paperweight bundles.

Hopefully they truly learn from their mistakes and this is the game it should've been. From reading bits and pieces since E3, it does look promising.

It looks promising and it appears they've certainly listened to feedback and expanded the structure. Have you seen some of the videos? There's some gimmicky stuff in there, but overall it looks pretty wicked massive.

[dimorphic]

I really did enjoy the first game, it was tempered by some poor design choices and repetitive gameplay but the core mechanics were solid. It's off of this basis that I am getting excited for AC2.

I believe that Ubisoft aren't complete idiots and will take on the criticism from the first game. Varied side quests and assassination techniques are a must. Also get rid of the stupidly large over world.

[AranchineD]

The developers have mentioned quite a bit of the problems of the first game that people had and how they intend to fix them. Whether they actually have or not, we'll see, but it looks like they have at the moment.

[Munky]

I'd prefer a small open world area with lots of variety than a large repititive one.

This would allow you actually learn the area and plan routes to the assassination and your get away.

Think the first mission of Hitman 2 with the house and the multiple entry points.

[Creedy]

Grabbed the first game on Steam whilst on sale for $10USD and I'll be doing the same for the sequal. I enjoyed the first game but it wasn't anything spectacular.

[Sweating Bullets]

Stealing off Kotaku:

EB are selling the black edition for $149.95 on 360/PS3 and $129.95 on PC:
* Ezio Figurine
* 3 in-game bonus quests (Palazzo Medicis in Florence, Santa Maria Dei Frari In Venice, Arsenal Shipyard Warehouse In Venice)
* 64-page Conspiracy art book
* Official soundtrack by Jesper Kyd
* Bonus behind-the-scenes DVD
* Collectible black packaging featured with unique authenticity holographic signature
http://media.kotaku.com.au/wp//2009/07/uk_black-edition-ac2_ps3.jpg

And other retailers are selling teh white edition for 129.95 on 360/PS3 and $109.95 on PC
Ezio Figurine
* 1 in-game bonus quest (Santa Maria Dei Frari In Venice)
* Collectible white packaging featured with unique authenticity holographic signature
http://media.kotaku.com.au/wp//2009/07/acii-white-edition-pc-300dpi.jpg

I will be ordering the black ed next week.

[Second]

I only want the extra missions, so I might just get standard and hope the missions come as a DLC in the future.

[AranchineD]

Collectible black packaging
Collectible white packaging

The colour of packaging is a feature now? >_>

Honestly, not going to bother with either of them. The soundtrack would probably be nice, yes, but that's about it.

[Blue]

After reading the Eurogamer preview, I really want this. I picked the original up a couple of months ago, and despite the many flaws, it was a very promising design. I always had the feeling that most of the design flaws would be remedied in the inevitable sequel, and it seems as if this will be the case. The return of focused, self-contained PoP:SoT-esque platforming sections seems like a very good idea, and much of the repetition that plagued the original will hopefully be done away with.

[aubergine]

I was just watching someone play the beginning of the first game and need to have another crack at it, the graphics remain completely stunning. If the sequel improves on it even slightly it may burn my face off.

[Second]

I pre-ordered this the other day. I hope I don't end up disappointed.

[Australian Ninja]

The colour of packaging is a feature now? >_>

Honestly, not going to bother with either of them. The soundtrack would probably be nice, yes, but that's about it.

That's what the extra $30 is for, the price of printing has really gone up.

[Zzz]

The new trailer is quite good.

FJc7MOUBA9c

I think I will be liking this game.

[Manny M]

Trailer made extra awesome thanks to Justice.

[Adios]

Just like using Unkle's Lonely Souls in one of the original Assassin's Creed trailer, Ubisoft return with more good music.

[Antwandemarco]

looks tough, can't wait.

[Hyperblau]

http://www.destructoid.com/videos/assassin-s-creed-2-walkthrough-video-is-all-gameplay-baby-147989.phtml&t=video

This gameplay walkthrough is worth watching just to hear the hosts name, the rest is quite good too.

[Jobasa]

I really liked the bit in that video where he swings around a corner on a pot plant. Pretty sweet. Will totally be getting this game.

[Manny M]

Eh.. I wasn't completely impressed. Didn't understand why a group of mercs would just start attacking guards within a city just because you told them so.

[Dunkurtin]

Economy system, pretty sure it says you pay them.

[Sweating Bullets]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bOfuZD7zk7M/SWqeVKh14mI/AAAAAAAAADs/GOUy1SSlfoU/s1600-R/mr_bump.gif

Assassin's Creed II Sees the Return of Kristen Bell - Screens
http://worthplaying.com/article/2009/10/1/news/68971

Some pics for those too lazy to click:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/TheHush13/245680.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/TheHush13/245681.jpg

I can't wait for this game. I am getting more pumped for it the more I read about it.

And for no other reason - Kristen Bell in the flesh:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/TheHush13/245679.jpg

[TrinityJayOne]

^ pics no workie!

[AranchineD]

Copy+ paste the links into the address bar, then you can see Kristen Be-I mean, Assassin's Creed 2 in all its glory.

[TrinityJayOne]

Ahh yes, she is quite the female. Err, game.

[Manny M]

She's got nothing on Jade Raymond, and her absence with AC2 is very sorely missed.

[ScToTeE]

The original game was flawed, but I don't view it as a total letdown. Maybe I should play through it again ... The negative vibe I'm getting from this thread concerning the first game is actually somewhat surprising. I really didn't think it was that bad, or maybe time has dulled my own criticisms. It has been a while ...

[banjoeskimo]

I just finished the original again last night in anticipation of this, and I'm quite excited. As others have said, the first game wasn't perfect, but it was a solid enough design that it was still enjoyable, and definitely holds massive potential for a sequel.

I'm quite interested to see where they'll take the story with this one. The AC games were originally planned as a trilogy, correct? I'm guessing they'll eventually get to Desmond at the end (a white hoody would have to be the modern day assassin garb, would it not?), but how they get there is the question.

[Sweating Bullets]

Pics should work now. Sorry about the incorrect linking.

I have been telling a mate of mine to get the second one. But he is of the belief that he needs to play the first one first and he will probably never get around to it. Do you think you need to play the first one?

[Second]

Dunno. Guess it depends how much they include in number 2. If they offer a recap, it shouldn't really be required.

[dinopoke]

I have been telling a mate of mine to get the second one. But he is of the belief that he needs to play the first one first and he will probably never get around to it. Do you think you need to play the first one?

Technically, not much in terms of plot happens in the first one. He could just read all the details at Wikipedia. And the second one basically expands on the first so if he can only get one, he should just play this one.

[Sir_Psycho]

Just to be clear. Do I have to pay a hundred and forty bucks for a toy figurine just to get some extra levels?

[AranchineD]

Yes, you dirty pirate/second hand game purchaser.

[Natrak]

Just to be clear. Do I have to pay a hundred and forty bucks for a toy figurine just to get some extra levels?

I think I remember reading something somewhere where the developers said they'd be releasing the extra stuff to the wider community eventually (I'm guessing as paid dlc).

[Sir_Psycho]

Maybe when Assassin's creed III comes out, we'll buy it, find out the disc only has half the game on it, then have to go back to our local EB, do a little dance and shell out an extra fifty for the priveledge.

[Fenrir]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/TheHush13/245680.jpg
That pic strikes me as definitive UV.

[AranchineD]

Maybe when Assassin's creed III comes out, we'll buy it, find out the disc only has half the game on it, then have to go back to our local EB, do a little dance and shell out an extra fifty for the priveledge.

I believe they call that "Left 4 Dead Syndrome".

[Sir_Psycho]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bOfuZD7zk7M/SWqeVKh14mI/AAAAAAAAADs/GOUy1SSlfoU/s1600-R/mr_bump.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/TheHush13/245680.jpg




I think she looks distinctly like the Oblivion Khajiit facemodel.

[AranchineD]

You've ruined Kristen Bell forever now. Thanks.

[banjoeskimo]

Saved.

http://hotcelebrity.name/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/kristen_bell1.jpg

[Sweating Bullets]

With less than a week before this game hits I thought it might be time for a shameless bump. I am pretty pumped for this title - so much so that I will be getting this tonight for the 360:

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2009/11/500x_acoutfits.jpg

I stole this from Kotaku:
ome Assassin’s Creed II items have turned up on the Xbox 360’s Avatar Marketplace, with both game-related clothing and avatar cosplay on offer.

The t-shirts and hoodies are predictably bland, but for our more cash-rich readers the in-game outfits may be too tempting to pass up. There’s an Ezio outfit, an Altair outfit (both for 400MSP) and even a Da Vinci hang-glider there for you to just… stick at your feet.

There’s also some DJ Hero stuff available, but… yeah.

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/assassins-creed-ii-outfits-for-your-360-avatar/

[grimace06]

Anyone know what sort of pricing will be around for this?

GAME have the "White" Edition for $130 that no longer comes with a bag or mini-guide.

[Cerebral]

What happened to Kristen Bell's face? Why does she look like she came from The Sims?

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Probably her sexy lazy eye

[grimace06]

Ok so I've just seen what PC gamers get in the Black Edition compared to the White Edition on console.

What the hell?

[V²]

Ok so I've just seen what PC gamers get in the Black Edition compared to the White Edition on console.

What the hell?

You can get the black edition for console.
Well, they maybe pre-sold out now.

[grimace06]

You can get the black edition for console.
Well, they maybe pre-sold out now.

I'm giving them a ring tomorrow then.

[Dunkurtin]

Yeah i'm getting black edition for xbox. I pre-ordered mine back in like may though.

[grimace06]

Yeah i'm getting black edition for xbox. I pre-ordered mine back in like may though.

You know the more I think about it, the more I think of my GTA Lock Box thats collecting dust. :p

[Bokracroc]

Anyone know what sort of pricing will be around for this?

GAME have the "White" Edition for $130 that no longer comes with a bag or mini-guide.
Bag?! Who said bag? What does said bag look like? Can I still get it from somewhere?

[McChimp]

Bag?! Who said bag? What does said bag look like? Can I still get it from somewhere?

I work at GAME, and just yesterday we were putting up banners about the white edition with satchel, mini-guide, figurine, all that jazz. HOPEFULLY we're not false-advertising that.

[Sweating Bullets]

I just hope that the art book is good.

[Sir_Psycho]

**** it, I'm going to go to JB and get the standard edition for twenty bucks less without any toys.

I'm really getting the feeling computer games are becoming like those craft activities you could buy at the newsagent where the first installment was 4.95 and the next dozen were 20 bucks.

[Citizen Erased]

I was hurt by the last assassins creed game, so Ill be renting this game first before I buy.

[Richie]

Why the **** do you guys want all this shit in you're house? I don't get it. Just buy the bloody game!

[Dunkurtin]

But we get artbooks and soundtracks!

[McChimp]

Why the **** do you guys want all this shit in you're house? I don't get it. Just buy the bloody game!

Because some of us LOVE this stuff. Any game-related extras are awesome bonuses that show people how into the s**t we love we truly are. I won't splash-out cash on any and every game with bonuses, but when it comes to SOME games, some stuff is just freakin' AWESOME!!

Fact: If a game comes with a special edition metal lunchbox, I'll BUY IT! lol.

[Richie]

Because some of us LOVE this stuff. Any game-related extras are awesome bonuses that show people how into the s**t we love we truly are. I won't splash-out cash on any and every game with bonuses, but when it comes to SOME games, some stuff is just freakin' AWESOME!!

Fact: If a game comes with a special edition metal lunchbox, I'll BUY IT! lol.

Fair enough, but this:

You know the more I think about it, the more I think of my GTA Lock Box thats collecting dust.

[jawsy]

grimace06 speaks for all members of this forum.

[Richie]

Exactly.

[jawsy]

Pipe down! grimace06 has already spoken for you.

[Bokracroc]

Why the **** do you guys want all this shit in you're house? I don't get it. Just buy the bloody game!
Red Faction's Walker model/figurine/toy was more fun than the game.

[Sweating Bullets]

Red Faction's Walker model/figurine/toy was more fun than the game.

hehehe. The game wasn't that bad. Wasn't that great either. The game needed more Walkers to cause havoc in.

So just wondering about AC2 - is out on Wednesday or Thursday?
I think I might wait until my exam is over before picking it up. My exam is on the 23rd Nov

[cube_punk]

hehehe. The game wasn't that bad. Wasn't that great either. The game needed more Walkers to cause havoc in.

So just wondering about AC2 - is out on Wednesday or Thursday?
I think I might wait until my exam is over before picking it up. My exam is on the 23rd Nov

It's out Thursday. I'm praying for a street date break or else I'm going to have to work all day wednesday with it staring me in the face. I am SO pumped for this game!

[Bokracroc]

hehehe. The game wasn't that bad. Wasn't that great either. The game needed more Walkers to cause havoc in.
Game was fun, but the figure is badarse!

[McChimp]

It's out Thursday. I'm praying for a street date break or else I'm going to have to work all day wednesday with it staring me in the face. I am SO pumped for this game!

I'll be working at GAME on Tues. & Wed., so I'm guessing I'm gonna have this game hanging around out the back, taunting me because on the release list it reads something like: Assassins Creed 2 - 19/11/09 - STRICT street Date.

[sausage]

Tbh I tried playing this game (AC1) but couldn't get past the stupid tutorial so ragequitted and sold it to some dude.

Am I made of fail?

[McChimp]

Not necessarily.
I played through AC1 when it first came out and LOVED almost every minute of it. Then I went back to it when the second one was announced, played maybe an hour or so of it, then gave up, thinking: "Why the F did I think this game was so good?".

[Sir_Psycho]

Ah shit I know I should spend the $135 from catering on a skateboard so I can give back the one I've been lent, save further public transport money and encourage me to be more active. But that release date is telling me greedily hold on to the skateboard, save public transport money by not going out, don't be active, just buy AC2.

I've noticed a lot of people saying they absolutely hated AC, some to the point of ragequitting and throwing/selling the game away. I understand the criticisms, certainly; The restrictive nature of savegames and unskippable dialogue barring fun replayability, repetitive mission types, the abandonment of stealth for over the top action, the large "kingdom" section being unskippable during the first three assassinations, etc.

However, I did replay it a whole bunch. I used to spark up cigarettes or turn the volume down and have a bash on the guitar during the unskippable dialogue, because the mechanics and gameplay were just so tight and intuitive and amazingly fun. They're deceptively simple, really, for example the rooftop running. You basically hold down two buttons and a directional key and Altair does the rest, but after playing for a while you find subtle changes in timing, or tapping, route selection, identifying things to climb on allow you to scale your efficiency and more important, the cool factor. That's probably why I played so much of it, we want to play games that put us in the shoes of the bad-arse.

[concrete donkey]

Not necessarily.
I played through AC1 when it first came out and LOVED almost every minute of it. Then I went back to it when the second one was announced, played maybe an hour or so of it, then gave up, thinking: "Why the F did I think this game was so good?".

yeah, im playing through it again now. its not as good as i remember. But, that was two years ago. Im going to stick with it though, just so i can synchronize my bedroom and see all that cool writing

[aubergine]

I never finished the first game. Over the years, every now and then I've played through one mission. The graphics make me ooh aah and the game is NEARLY awesome but somehow it sucks instead, I couldn't even say why exactly.

[concrete donkey]

so... anyone know if we can get this before the street date?

[McChimp]

Most likely not. All stores would have it's on their release schedules as having a 'STRICT' street-date, which means if the street date is broken and the distributors etc. don't agree with that, there could be serious repercussions for their business and/ or employees.

[grimace06]

Most likely not. All stores would have it's on their release schedules as having a 'STRICT' street-date, which means if the street date is broken and the distributors etc. don't agree with that, there could be serious repercussions for their business and/ or employees.

Some random K Mart will sell it early.

[Sweating Bullets]

Looks like the Black Edition is sold out.
I have seen some clips on youtube with the unboxing of the Master Edition (US special edition) - the art book looks pretty stock standard was hoping for some fancy paper. Ezio however does looks surprisingly good.

[grimace06]

White Editions are still around, though.

[Sweating Bullets]

Art book baby!! Special eds are all about the art book!!

[Thraxas]

I ordered my Black edition ages ago and was lucky to get it. When I went in they said it was sold out but the woman at EB did some checking and they had gotten some more stock...

I got a call from EB today asking if I wanted to go to the midnight launch... I don't normally go to midnight launches, but I'm tempted. I loved the original from the moment I started playing it. It was the first game I played on my 360...

[grimace06]

Art book baby!! Special eds are all about the art book!!

Haha, I just really like the Ezio figurine.

[NiB]

This game can't come soon enough. After reading a review I'm just so glad that most of the trash from #1 has been given the boot. Looking forward to doing the xtra stuff to reveal all of the plot.

[cube_punk]

Reviews? Link!

[concrete donkey]

Reviews? Link!

i know the official xbox mag has reviewed it. they gave it a 9/10. but, im not sure how reliable official mags are..

[NiB]

i know the official xbox mag has reviewed it. they gave it a 9/10. but, im not sure how reliable official mags are..

Yeah, that's the one I read (Aussie OXM)

Apparently a playable demo (via a download) comes with AC2 but not sure if it comes to us in Oz

[Bokracroc]

I want this AC2 bag thing D: Stuff art books and the like.

[McChimp]

i know the official xbox mag has reviewed it. they gave it a 9/10. but, im not sure how reliable official mags are..

Australian 360 and PSM Australia have also reviewed it. Same again, think it got 9's from those mags.

[Pauly]

What did the first get. Around 7-8 didn't it?

[Hyperblau]

What did the first get. Around 7-8 didn't it?

It was more like between 6 and 9, some reviewers hated it and some loved it.

[Shinquai]

It's very sad, I know, but I am big fan of the Assassin's Creed mythos and have pre-ordered a Black (EB) and White (JB, for the long sleeve t) version... Maybe it was just because of the figurines and the alternate missions for each version, I don't know, I have brought this up with my therapist and they have no idea either. ;)

[concrete donkey]

It's very sad, I know, but I am big fan of the Assassin's Creed mythos and have pre-ordered a Black (EB) and White (JB, for the long sleeve t) version... Maybe it was just because of the figurines and the alternate missions for each version, I don't know, I have brought this up with my therapist and they have no idea either. ;)

o_O wow

[Natrak]

It's very sad, I know, but I am big fan of the Assassin's Creed mythos and have pre-ordered a Black (EB) and White (JB, for the long sleeve t) version... Maybe it was just because of the figurines and the alternate missions for each version, I don't know, I have brought this up with my therapist and they have no idea either. ;)

Uh, the extra game content in the White Edition is included in the Black Edition, so you're essentially laying down another $130 for the same figurine with a colour variation. >_>

[Sweating Bullets]

Uh, the extra game content in the White Edition is included in the Black Edition, so you're essentially laying down another $130 for the same figurine with a colour variation. >_>

And the shirt.

[Natrak]

Hadn't heard anything about there being a shirt.

[Sweating Bullets]

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/productobjects/3/MEDIUM/436988_0_186.jpg

JB exclusive it looks like for the White Edition

[concrete donkey]

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/productobjects/3/MEDIUM/436988_0_186.jpg

JB exclusive it looks like for the White Edition

Oh dear, that shirt looks ridiculous

[aubergine]

Jesus, they could had at least ironed it first. That's the cheapest-looking thing I've ever seen.

[concrete donkey]

Jesus, they could had at least ironed it first. That's the cheapest-looking thing I've ever seen.

Im not too sure an iron could save that train wreck. That dude bought both editions for that piece of crapola?!

[aubergine]

Im not too sure an iron could save that train wreck. That dude bought both editions for that piece of crapola?!

Look at the link name - that picture is a promotional pic up on JB online apparently!

[Xanafalgue]

Oh dear, that shirt looks ridiculous

Would look better if it was plain white.

Surely that size is a few sizes too small for your average EB customer.

[concrete donkey]

Would look better if it was plain white.

Surely that size is a few sizes too small for your average EB customer.

I guess the question is, is it worth $140?

[Xanafalgue]

I'm sure we could find it at Paddy's Market for a fiver.

[concrete donkey]

I'm sure we could find it at Paddy's Market for a fiver.

Another question i would have to ask is, who would wear that... 'thing' out in public?

[Jickle]

That seriously has to be one of the worst looking pieces of clothing I have ever seen.

[Xanafalgue]

Another question i would have to ask is, who would wear that... 'thing' out in public?

First thing I thought when I saw it was "Asians" >_>

[AranchineD]

Look at it this way: perhaps the only way to get rid of the shit parts of the first game was to use some kind of contraptimonabulation that converted those elements into clothing, leaving the sequel a golden piece of a gaming.

[concrete donkey]

First thing I thought when I saw it was "Asians" >_>

Even still... i dunno... would these 'asians' be retarded?

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I ordered the white edition of dvdcrave for around $90. The extras in the Black addition aren't worth another $50 to me. Looking foward to it.

[Sweating Bullets]

I am debating on whether or not to goto the city on Thursday to pick this up. I have teh day off work to exam cram and its going to 37 that day. I might not get it and collect it after my exam is over that way I do not have the temptation.

[Thraxas]

My fiancée is going to go to a midnight screening of that new vampire movie, so I decided I'm going to go to the midnight launch for this. Although I'll probably fall asleep before getting to play it much.

[Bokracroc]

That shirt would be decent if it didn't have that stupid grey thing on it.

Also, I want a satchel bag :(

[Natrak]

With the game being released today in the states it looks like the reviews are pouring in, and it's sounding fantastic. Eurogamer have given it a 9/10, which is great to see.

[Bokracroc]

Any love for the PSP version that's coming out?

[Sir_Psycho]

What's the story with the 2010 release date for PC?

[dimorphic]

What's the story with the 2010 release date for PC?

PC games are second tier to consoles now. I guess they have to make a few changes to the gameplay/engine to make it work on the PC and have decided to wait until next year to do it.

[Watchers]

What's the story with the 2010 release date for PC?

The first one came out on PC over a year later, didn't it?

Anyway, I ordered the White edition on DVDCrave. Loved the first.

[tau]

Wait what? I want it on PC and preordered the black version for PC.... now I have to ****ing wait till next year?

[Sweating Bullets]

I just got an SMS from EB Games saying they will be open from 10pm until 1am to sell the game.

[Natrak]

I'm guessing it's just the EBs in the city that're doing it.

[Sweating Bullets]

I should have mentioned that it was EB Games in Melbourne Central.

Mario in AC2:
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/11/heres-that-mario-mention-in-assassins-creed-ii/

[aubergine]

Surprised there's no street date breakage.

[NiB]

My mates headed to the midnight launch @ EB Watergardens here in Vic....but I suspect he'll just grab his copy and go taunt Twighlight fans

[Tonez]

I pre-ordered the black edition when it was first announced at North Sydney because that is where I was working. I was made redundant 5 weeks ago and North Sydney won't transfer my pre-order to my local.

I was going to have to make a trip all the way there tomorrow to pick it up but now my awesome fiancee said she'd go pick it up for me since she works in the city. Now I get a hand delivered game and hopefully some sexy time to boot, you know just to clear my mind before I begin.

[Tukenstein]

Townsville EB midnight launch over in five minutes. AMAZING!

[Thraxas]

Sean is a ****ing dick.

[Bokracroc]

Surprised there's no street date breakage.
>.>
Yeah..... no breakage...

Meh, it was only one day and he didn't sell mass copies of it. Only a White Ed. for 360 to me :3
Got a few funny messages on Live though.

[Natrak]

Goddamn I can't wait to pick this up today.

[Dunkurtin]

Wish EB was open now so i could pick this up before work instead of having to wait till like 4 in the afternoon. -_-

[Second]

I thought it was coming out tomorrow? 'Suppose I'll go pick up my pre-order then.

[McChimp]

Brilliant game so far. Very story-driven and the characters a great. You can see that Ezio is going to have so much more motivation for his actions than Altair did (other than it being 'his job'). Only played 2 hours or so, but unless there's something majorly jarring up-ahead, I can see this being brilliant from start to finish.

[freeradical]

Loving 'kicking a man when he's down'! Fair square in the clackers!!!

[sheeps]

PS3 or 360?

[McChimp]

In regards too..........? Picked mine up on PS3, if that's what you mean.

[Pauly]

If you have the choice pick it up on 360, apparently the PS3 version really stuggles in comparison.

In terms of engine quality, however, the difference between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions is literally night and day. Starting with the shocking difference in contrast and colour depth, the Xbox 360 version's high-dynamic range lighting is more intense and casts deeper shadows and renders a darker night. In our direct comparisons between the two games, the PS3 version looks noticeably flatter and more washed out, detracting from the ambience.

The PS3 version also suffers from a lower texture resolution, which affects everything from facial details (you can see freckles and pores on the 360, but faces, lips and hair looks almost universally blurry on PS3), to wall and ground textures, leaves and particle and debris effects.

I know it's almost passé to rag on the differences, but it really does surprise us how large the gap between the two versions is. It does begin to affect the gameplay too when the 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.

[StorminNorman]

Microsoft's superior devtools ride again, I see.

Sony really, really needs to get their arse in gear with the devtools for the PS4. This is two generations where they've had great hardware let down by poor tools. The fact that there are many PS3-exclusive titles that don't suffer these kind of problems shows that it's not the hardware's fault.

[banjoeskimo]

Glad I pre-ordered on the 360 then. I should be getting this in the mail from Amazon any day now.

[Pauly]

Microsoft's superior devtools ride again, I see.

Sony really, really needs to get their arse in gear with the devtools for the PS4. This is two generations where they've had great hardware let down by poor tools. The fact that there are many PS3-exclusive titles that don't suffer these kind of problems shows that it's not the hardware's fault.
It's also a case of them throwing all the best components into a box instead of using components that work well together. Apparently games are much harder to develop for it because of this.

[StorminNorman]

While the PS3's hardware is certainly harder to program for, that can be mitigated by a good development environment.

Keep in mind that the 360 has some pretty complex hardware (3 CPU cores to sync, the unified memory architecture), but Microsoft provide all the necessary tools to help the programmer understand and work with this.

Sony tend to be more like "here's some hardware, good luck!"

Microsoft's years of shipping development software for Windows puts them well ahead of the game in this aspect.

In unrelated news, I should be getting this game later today, so I'm not entirely making offtopic posts. :p

EDIT: I'm sure Fenrir can chime in with a better explanation/debunking of what I just said.

[Hyperblau]

I liked how in the recap at the beginning they show you the old kristen bell model and then when you see the new one you wonder wtf just happened.

[Sweating Bullets]

That's pretty bad - but I really do wonder if it is as bad as they are making it out to be (PS3 vs 360)

[Starscream]

Not to start flame wars between the 360 & PS3 fanboys, can you honestly remember when a PS3 beat the 360 (on graphics) for a game that was released on both platforms?

Why do you think I'm considering the 360 version of Bayonetta?

[Sweating Bullets]

I do recall there was one game but I can't remember the title. Maybe Far Cry 2?

Eventually the PS3 will be patched up to be comparable. Right?

[TrinityJayOne]

Like Stormin' said, it's not something that's really patchable. The hardware itself is fine, it's just that working with it is too difficult and the full potential isn't realised because Sony don't provide adequate develepment tools. To put it simply, it's kind of like a Lego set but without any instructions or a picture of the finished product. :P

[Thraxas]

Has anyone managed to load this 'uplay' thing from the main menu. It seems to load up nothing but a blank screen for me.

Anyway I am really enjoying this game so far, and I haven't even got to the bits where you actually assassinate people proper yet? I've been climbing and spending money and searching for treasure.

I like how you can heal yourself mid fight with a med kit. I have been a bit clumsy while fighting on rooftops and taken some awful dives onto solid ground. So being able to heal and not losing the fight because of a mistake is great.

[Second]

Has anyone managed to load this 'uplay' thing from the main menu. It seems to load up nothing but a blank screen for me.Had no problem with it. It just took a long time to load.

[Cerebral]

Not to start flame wars between the 360 & PS3 fanboys, can you honestly remember when a PS3 beat the 360 (on graphics) for a game that was released on both platforms?

Why do you think I'm considering the 360 version of Bayonetta?

Burnout Paradise. Beyond that I got nada.

[Sweating Bullets]

Where are the bonus mission codes for the Black Edition? I think I got jibbed :/

[aubergine]

I picked this up at JB and was given one of the horrible shirt-things we were deriding earlier. Will get pictures.

[StorminNorman]

The hardware itself is fine, it's just that working with it is too difficult and the full potential isn't realised because Sony don't provide adequate develepment tools.

It should be noted that this can be overcome, if you're willing to invest in a good set of PS3 programmers. Most studios that do crossplatform games don't do this, as it's easier to just write for the 360 and then port the game from there (which is how most crossplatform titles are done.) This is what is meant when people say that the 360 is the "lead platform" for a game.

Burnout Paradise. Beyond that I got nada.

I'm near-convinced this game was developed first for the PS3.

[concrete donkey]

I picked this up at JB and was given one of the horrible shirt-things we were deriding earlier. Will get pictures.

hahaha nice

[punkgorilla]

I'm near-convinced this game was developed first for the PS3.

Yeah, it definitely was.

[Natrak]

Where are the bonus mission codes for the Black Edition? I think I got jibbed :/

They should be in the actual game packaging with the instruction manual.

Has anyone managed to load this 'uplay' thing from the main menu. It seems to load up nothing but a blank screen for me.

Yeah, it just takes forever. Neat idea, though.

Loving the game thus far, it's so much better than the original (although some of the free-running quirks remain). I'm really pleased with how enjoyable it is to just mess around in the environments, search for treasure and take down pick pockets/messengers etc. The mission structure is definitely vastly improved, too. And the dialogue and characters are much more entertaining. Ezio is a waaaaaaaay better character than Altair.

[sheeps]

Not to start flame wars between the 360 & PS3 fanboys, can you honestly remember when a PS3 beat the 360 (on graphics) for a game that was released on both platforms?

Why do you think I'm considering the 360 version of Bayonetta?

Apparently Burnout Paradise is like, a pixel better.

edit: Curses cer!

[fleshtea]

My local JB today was all WHOOOA KEWL EXTRAS!!!11 over that shirt. I chuckled.

[StorminNorman]

So anyway, I would like to say how much I'm enjoying this game and all, but my copy of it has gone missing. :/

[Azzaman]

So anyway, I would like to say how much I'm enjoying this game and all, but my copy of it has gone missing. :/

How on earth does that happen?

[StorminNorman]

I suspect the girl with whom I live has put it somewhere, and now she's not answering her phone to tell me where it is.

[Cian]

Also enjoying this.

It started off quite slow but now I'm back into the AC groove. I shall give a more detailed opinion when I'm not wanking over Pearl Jam playing tonight.

[aubergine]

I won't start the game until later, but I just watched the Avatar trailer in the extras. That game looks like Lost Planet 2 / Viva Piñata mashup.

Also, in the list of available DLC there is something called "Assassin Arse..." - will upload photo later.

[Second]

I won't start the game until later, but I just watched the Avatar trailer in the extras. That game looks like Lost Planet 2 / Viva Piñata mashup.

Also, in the list of available DLC there is something called "Assassin Arse..." - will upload photo later.

Yeah. I saw that and lolled for a little bit.

[McChimp]

Gives me flashbacks of seeing AC pre-owned @ GAME. The label on it reads "Ass cree p/o", so it's jokingly referred to as "Ass-Creep".

[StorminNorman]

So it turns out that the reason I can't find this game anywhere is because the girl with whom I live took it to work with her so she could read the manual.

To rub it in, she's going to see a movie tonight, so I won't even get to play it at all now. :/

[sheeps]

The girl whom with which you live is a ****wit.

[Cerebral]

Is she seeing Twilight? I bet she is. What a bitch.

[Dukotoja]

anyone else smile when you first meet your uncle?

[concrete donkey]

itsame, mario!!

[NiB]

Can honestly say it's easily surpassing the first one in both game play and story. But not the blockbuster must have title that MW2 is, will be interesting to see how many units it shifts.

[Azzaman]

So it turns out that the reason I can't find this game anywhere is because the girl with whom I live took it to work with her so she could read the manual.

To rub it in, she's going to see a movie tonight, so I won't even get to play it at all now. :/

Wow, what a bitch, charge her $6 for the rental copy you'll get tonight

[Creedy]

I won't start the game until later, but I just watched the Avatar trailer in the extras. That game looks like Lost Planet 2 / Viva Piñata mashup.

The Avatar game is similar to Lost Planet but not at the same time. There is a PC demo available.

I just watched the Gametrailers review for this and I have to say after playing Uncharted 2 it's going to be hard going back to other 3rd party games. The production values just aren't there in comparison to Uncharted.
I wish Steam would hurry up and have AC2 on sale. :)

*EDIT*
Holy shit it's not on PC until next year???!!!
WTF???

[grimace06]

The Avatar game is similar to Lost Planet but not at the same time. There is a PC demo available.

I just watched the Gametrailers review for this and I have to say after playing Uncharted 2 it's going to be hard going back to other 3rd party games. The production values just aren't there in comparison to Uncharted.
I wish Steam would hurry up and have AC2 on sale. :)

*EDIT*
Holy shit it's not on PC until next year???!!!
WTF???

At least you're not buying the PS3 version which is by all reports a technical mess.

[REQUIEM]

So it turns out that the reason I can't find this game anywhere is because the girl with whom I live took it to work with her so she could read the manual.

To rub it in, she's going to see a movie tonight, so I won't even get to play it at all now. :/

Perfect prank time for revenge me thinks.

grease the kitchen floor at once.......

[Creedy]

At least you're not buying the PS3 version which is by all reports a technical mess.

If that Gametrailers review is based on the X360 version it's a technical mess as well.

[Natrak]

Oh not this shit again.

[StorminNorman]

@Creedy: I've played the 360 version. It runs just fine on my system.

Is she seeing Twilight? I bet she is. What a bitch.

Yes. :(

I'm stuck watching Breaking Bad.

[Jickle]

I'm stuck watching Breaking Bad.

Breaking Bad is incredible. If AC2 wasn't so great I'd say she'd done you a favour!

Also, are there many Desmond sections in this game? I quite enjoyed the occassional change of pace in the original, but thus far I haven't controlled him since the start.

[Spudzilla]

I want a Breaking Bad game now.

[Almighty Beanchild]

At least you're not buying the PS3 version which is by all reports a technical mess.

lol another shitty port to the ps3. Are the dev tools just shit or something?

[Natrak]

Breaking Bad is incredible. If AC2 wasn't so great I'd say she'd done you a favour!

Also, are there many Desmond sections in this game? I quite enjoyed the occassional change of pace in the original, but thus far I haven't controlled him since the start.

I've done about 4 sequences so far and I've yet to be pulled out of the animus, by the looks of things I'd say there aren't many.

[Second]

I've had one Desmond section to test the "bleed effect". Certainly interesting.

[StorminNorman]

Finally got to play this after all the drama. Really enjoying it, so far. I had a pretty hilarious moment where I confused a corrupt official with a herald, and ended up assassinating the poor guy.

I love the pickpocketing mechanic, though. It's not quite as fun as randomly assassinating people in the street, but it doesn't tend to cost you as much health.

Everything is really improved over the first game, the new "blending" mechanic is how it always should have worked.

[Sir_Psycho]

I think I might pre-order the PC version from JB with the tax return I should be getting soon. It's a while away but I don't know if I'll have the money in late january.

[Bokracroc]

itsame, mario!!
The comment your mother makes at the start of the game is better.

Also, are there many Desmond sections in this game? I quite enjoyed the occassional change of pace in the original, but thus far I haven't controlled him since the start.
There's one at the start, one around the middle and I assume one at the end.
Both start and middle ones actually give you something to do rather than just walk about to.

Also regarding the 'Altaïr is in this game, have you spotted him?' comment in the game's main menu.
No game, I didn't see him at all :rolleyes:
I totally didn't see that scene where he nails that female Templar from the first game either

[REQUIEM]

Grabbing my 360 copy today. I have to kill the last bloke from AC1 before I can start playing AC2. Should be a good afternoon.

[Munky]

The comment your mother makes at the start of the game is better.


That the 'outlet' reply?

I almost fell off my chair.

[sheeps]

At least you're not buying the PS3 version which is by all reports a technical mess.

Digital Foundry at Eurogamer didn't say it was a technical mess. They said it was inferior to the 360 version but a massive improvement over the PS3 port of AC1 which was shocking.

[Pauly]

Digital Foundry at Eurogamer didn't say it was a technical mess. They said it was inferior to the 360 version but a massive improvement over the PS3 port of AC1 which was shocking.
But still a mess. Try reading a few different reviews for the full story!

[sheeps]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-assassins-creed-ii-face-off-article

I tend to place my trust heavily in Digital Foundry reviews.

So, overall the performance gap has dropped, but if you've got the choice, the Xbox 360 offers a sharper picture, smoother performance, lower levels of screen-tear and faster loading, and it doesn't require PS3's 1.5GB mandatory install either. This is not to say that the 360 version doesn't have its faults, and the fact that the technical issues of its two-year-old predecessor haven't been addressed is probably my biggest disappointment with the game: quite apart from the tearing, the pop-in is sometimes atrocious, even when running from hard disk. It's worth pointing out that in this respect, the PS3 version performs in much the same way.

[Dukotoja]

That the 'outlet' reply?

I almost fell off my chair.

it was so crude it made me cringe

in fact im glad she stopped talking.

[REQUIEM]

Have my copy sitting here and still need to kill the dam last guy from AC1. Hopefully in an hour or so I will be experiencing a better version of a game I already think was great.

[Clockw0rk]

Do you think AC3 is going to continue the tradition of having a main character whose name isn't pronounced the way you originally think it should be?

[freeradical]

Yeah. It'll be Dwayne.

[McChimp]

But still a mess. Try reading a few different reviews for the full story!

If technical mess means 'looks great and plays brilliantly with no technical issues being able to hamper the gameplay', then they're right. Quite frankly, I'm playing the PS3 version and I still think the game's brilliant, both visually and technically. Any issues sure as hell aren't game-breaking, and anyone who believes they are are just nit-picking bastards.

<End rant>

[aubergine]

This game is, so far, a vast improvement over the first, though interestingly those vast improvements have been made via the most subtle tweakings. The game LOOKS identical - I actually remember AC1 looking slightly better, perhaps because of the nearly black-and-white palette (versus AC2's much browner gameworld) - and there are equivalents to everything which was present in the first game (humoursly, irritating minstrels replace the irritating beggars from the first game, not sure if madpeople show up later...)

The main difference is that there's a story which constantly guides the game (as far as I've played it to) and the cover mechanic and tools you have to deal with guards are intelligently tweaked and expanded to make the act of getting around cities far more interesting and tactically varied than AC1 had a chance of offering. Introducing money, the most compelling collectible ever concieved, and variable weapons, armour sets and so on should please most people who weren't that thrilled with the first game. People who WERE thrilled with the first game will probably explode or something.

[Second]

(humoursly, irritating minstrels replace the irritating beggars from the first game, not sure if madpeople show up later...)
Throwing money to get rid of them is such a godsend.

[Jickle]

I've noticed a few weird little quirks in this game. Twice, I've gotten into fights where my enemies just would not attack me. One of them had a gold-armoured axe dude as well, who I desperately wanted to disarm, but he wouldn't attack me so I couldn't. I ended up smashing my sword at him for about two minutes until he died. :/

[Second]

Did you pick up the weapon afterwards?

[Jickle]

Did you pick up the weapon afterwards?

Can you do that? >_>

[Second]

Yep. I was running around with a spear for ages. He automatically drops weapons after fights, which is a little annoying, but it's so much fun to ram a spear into someone from behind.

[Jay]

Yep. I was running around with a spear for ages. He automatically drops weapons after fights, which is a little annoying, but it's so much fun to ram a spear into someone from behind.

Now Ruda, why do you make it sooo easy? :p

[Second]

:dolph:

[Pauly]

Bought this today and I must say I'm very impressed so far. They really have addressed the many problems that the first game had. Really looking forward to dropping more hours into this one.

[Bokracroc]

I like lodging battle axes in people's heads >:3
Also, Ezio gets dashing facial hair further in, still doesn't make it look like 10 years have passed though.

[Natrak]

Holy crap, Venice is astounding.

[Bokracroc]

Meh. The water canals get annoying because of the annoying little Free-Running niggles they didn't fix.
Alitar's armour is good I suppose. Doesn't need to be repaired (not that I really had an issue with repairing in the first place) but the all black colour is annoying >:{ I want my Assassin White.
Also grabbed all Codex pieces though from a game scene I assume you are forced to get them all anyway.
Finished The Truth too. Now that's something I want some explaining for.

[Second]

Mmm. Also finished it. To quote Desmond, "What the ****?"

Gunna go hunt the Glyphs now and see how much truth there is to this "Truth".

[Second]

Now all I've got left is the feathers. ****in', dunno if I can be bothered.

[Cian]

Did anyone understand the ending? Great game aside from that nonsense.

[Jickle]

Just pulled the most insane assassination (Emilio). Everything went wrong when I slaughtered an archer and his dead body dropped all the way to the ground, alerting the various forces. I ended up miscalculating a jump immediately afterwards, and although I thought I was going to die or be severely injured on landing, I landed more or less on-top of my target, allowing me to immediately slam my wrist-blade into his neck as he grabbed at my throat. Amazing.

[freeradical]

I like when your fighting with a group of others who join you. When you direct them to take on the guards, you can walk behind a guard that is engaged in battle, one press of the button and you sword them in the back for a swift kill! Nice!
I think i still prefer Altair as an assassin. Ezio is just a bit to much 'hip Renaissance' kid. Altair felt more 'assassiny' if you get my drift.

[McChimp]

Think I said this in a previous post, but I love Ezio as a character personally. He doesn't seem as bland and colourless as Altair, and his motivations are much more motivating for me as a player, with him wanting revenge rather than the whole assassin gig just being 'his job'. I feel a stronger connection with a character if their motivations are much stronger like Ezio's are.

[Second]

Throw lots of money on the ground around some guards. Get a decent lot of people there. Poison a guard. Sit back and lol.

[aubergine]

Altair was cooler but Ezio has been handled vastly better. Altair did not have any character development whatsover, not the game a plot to speak of.

[Watchers]

My White Edition just came in the mail. The Ezio figure is massive and quite well made - much better than I was expecting.

[Antwandemarco]

So how long are people taking to finish it?

I've been playing for what seems like 5 hours and i haven't seen Venice or Rome.. Do you go between the cities often like you did in AC1?

I've been enjoying doing up my little township, although does the town end up looking better the more you upgrade it? Haven't noticed much difference from the small amount of upgrades i've made...

[Bokracroc]

So how long are people taking to finish it?

I've been playing for what seems like 5 hours and i haven't seen Venice or Rome.. Do you go between the cities often like you did in AC1?

I've been enjoying doing up my little township, although does the town end up looking better the more you upgrade it? Haven't noticed much difference from the small amount of upgrades i've made...
No, not really. Missions are generally kept to one city at a time and you slowly unlock the one place.
Your little town looks nicer as the story progresses.

[Antwandemarco]

Hmm what i mean is, do you do a bunch of missions in Florence travel to rome(for instance) do a few missions there and then travel back to florence to do more missions later? I hope it's structured that way because i like revisiting the cities...

Edit: Just re read you post :(

[freeradical]

Altair did not have any character development whatsover, .

Thats probably why i prefer Altair. Character development seems a bit redundant for a character (Ezio) that will not survive to the next game in the series.
However, all up i appreciate the changes made to this game.

[Bokracroc]

Hmm what i mean is, do you do a bunch of missions in Florence travel to rome(for instance) do a few missions there and then travel back to florence to do more missions later? I hope it's structured that way because i like revisiting the cities...

Edit: Just re read you post :(
You do do some traveling back and forth (and you're generally free to go back to anywhere you've been to) but it gives you a reason for jumping around.

[concrete donkey]

Thats probably why i prefer Altair. Character development seems a bit redundant for a character (Ezio) that will not survive to the next game in the series.
However, all up i appreciate the changes made to this game.

Technically Creed2 is a better game, Story, graphics, things to do.. but i still enjoyed playing the first game more. I find this game too repetitive still. But besides all that, its still a great game

[Bokracroc]

I've found it's harder to make Ezio do leaping hidden blades and all that junk. Altair was a psycho flying murdering stabbing machine!

[Second]

Really? I found it much easier.

[StorminNorman]

I love that you can actually fight effectively using the hidden blades in this game. While you could fight with it in the first game, it was always easier to use a sword. In this game, both are legitimate fighting options, and it really just comes down to personal preference.

Also, does anyone know what the solution to the fourth "Truth" sequence is? I know it involves swords, but the obvious correct answer doesn't work for me, and I can't come up with a combination that works.

[Second]

Also, does anyone know what the solution to the fourth "Truth" sequence is? I know it involves swords, but the obvious correct answer doesn't work for me, and I can't come up with a combination that works.

http://www.msxbox-world.com/features/Assassins-Creed-II/puzzles.php

[sheeps]

Ok, I've ordered this and inFamous. As well as playing Prototype, GTAIV and Red Faction Guerilla I'm gonna be all open worlded out. Thank god I've got Uncharted 2's linearity to fall back on.

[Natrak]

I love that you can actually fight effectively using the hidden blades in this game. While you could fight with it in the first game, it was always easier to use a sword. In this game, both are legitimate fighting options, and it really just comes down to personal preference.

Also, does anyone know what the solution to the fourth "Truth" sequence is? I know it involves swords, but the obvious correct answer doesn't work for me, and I can't come up with a combination that works.

IIRC it was Perseus, Joan of Arc, Sigmund, King Arthur and Attila the Hun.

Thats probably why i prefer Altair. Character development seems a bit redundant for a character (Ezio) that will not survive to the next game in the series.

Really? A main character's apperance in a sequel shouldn't have any bearing on whether they receive development or not, and considering you're going to be playing as Ezio for 20 hours+ I'd say character development isn't 'redundant' at all.

[aubergine]

Then again, has "Link" ever had any character development, at all? or Gordon Freeman?

[Natrak]

That doesn't make developing a character redundant.

[aubergine]

I'm a fan of character development.

[McChimp]

So how long are people taking to finish it?

I've been playing for what seems like 5 hours and i haven't seen Venice or Rome.. Do you go between the cities often like you did in AC1?

I've been enjoying doing up my little township, although does the town end up looking better the more you upgrade it? Haven't noticed much difference from the small amount of upgrades i've made...

I'm only just up to Venice and at a guess I've maybe played 10 - 12 hours so far? Not sure really.

[StorminNorman]

http://www.msxbox-world.com/features/Assassins-Creed-II/puzzles.php

That page doesn't have the solution for puzzle 4. :/

IIRC it was Perseus, Joan of Arc, Sigmund, King Arthur and Attila the Hun.

Thanks, I'll try that.




Then again, has "Link" ever had any character development, at all? or Gordon Freeman?

The idea of a heroic mime (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicMime) is that it is an avatar of the player in the game world (rather than the player taking on the role of a character). The thinking behind it is that it creates a more immersive experience, because the character has no defining features, and instead takes on the character of the person playing the game.

How well this works depends on the game, of course. Half-Life 2 succeeds pretty well at it, I think. Freeman definitely gets character development moments, but it's up to you, as the player, to recognise them.

Note that the player character in Dragon Age: Origins is not a heroic mime.

[Jay]

I just tried to spend some quality time with Assassin's Creed in preparation for maybe buying the sequel. A more annoying hour I have not had in a while. What the ****? I mean, I've played at least an hour of it before, but this second hour was infuriating.

[Dunkurtin]

I would suggest just plowing through the main missions if you stick with playing the first one and not bothering to explore too much, the more you do the more repetitive it will get. That being said it's definitely a good idea to finish it first as while there's not as much character development or story at all for that matter it does provide understanding of a lot of things that will pop up in second game.

EDIT: Also this game is proving to be much longer than i expected. Just when i thought they were finally going to pull me out of the animus i find myself heading off to Venice, yet im not even there yet, taking my time in Flori.

[Bokracroc]

The Hidden Blade counters are vicious. Some of the Small blade ones are too.

[Natrak]

Favourite thing to do in combat is drop a smoke bomb and go on a rampage with my hidden blade while they're all coughing and sputtering.

[Sweating Bullets]

My original plan of playing this after my exam was over has taken a turn for the worst. Getting too carried away with Spec Ops in MW2 - however I was wondering to those who have finished it does end like AC1 in that once the game is over you can you still hop into the game and collect/finish off achievements?

[Cian]

My original plan of playing this after my exam was over has taken a turn for the worst. Getting too carried away with Spec Ops in MW2 - however I was wondering to those who have finished it does end like AC1 in that once the game is over you can you still hop into the game and collect/finish off achievements?

Yes you can. Care to enlighten me how to do it in the original? I walked around those rooms for a good hour and couldn't interact with the animus.

[dinopoke]

Did you go to the bit which activated the credits? You're supposed to be able to use the Animus any time you want. Bad thing about it is that you have to go through the unskippable cutscene every time you want to replay an assassination again.

[sausage]

Been reading about the armour/equipment buffs and such and want to know: rpg-lite or.... shit.

[Second]

Yes you can. Care to enlighten me how to do it in the original? I walked around those rooms for a good hour and couldn't interact with the animus.

Eagle Vision bedroom wall.

[Cian]

I've already looked at the bedroom wall for the achievement. But how do I get back into the cities? It doesn't look like I can press the usual button at the animus.

[Second]

That's... strange. Never had the problem before. o_O

[Cian]

That's... strange. Never had the problem before. o_O

I'll try it again. I missed out on one high point because Altair refused to latch onto a very reachable ledge. Grrr.

[banjoeskimo]

Wait, I still have to go to Rome? F--- me, this game is huge. I thought Venice was the last city.

Absolutely loving it so far, I've barely pulled my arse off the couch all weekend. I estimate I've sunk at least 15 hours into this so far, easily.

[Dunkurtin]

I'm thinking pretty much the same. Feels like i've played long enough to finish the game already and i still have another whole large city to go. Not to mention Venice looks to be freaking huge!

[Filthy Old Drunk]

I've sunk 18 hours into the game now and I've just done the first few missions in Venice (I currently have to steal the boat and armor). I've been taking my time collecting and completing everything. Some of the glyph puzzles are damn annoying.

[dinopoke]

Do you have to unlock portions of the city like the last game or is the whole city roamable from the get go.

[Watchers]

What's the penalty for death? I don't really like this non-regenerative health system they bought in, and I'm wondering how careful I need to be when jumping off buildings and such.

[freeradical]

Penalty for death is 'desynchronisation'. Thats about it. Start again from last checkpoint. I've desynchronised many a time through a leap that didnt respond to the buttons that i was pressing.