Playing The Assassin Within...

For a game that's been hyped and marketed like crazy, Assassin's Creed II was initially not part of my "need to get" list for games in the Playstation 3. I never played through the first game entirely, and I was left with no motivation whatsoever besides the stunning graphics, GTA IV inspired gameplay, and a "Wow" moment video during this year's E3 Press Conference. I really could have gotten the game at a later date, but initial reviews and scores for the stealth action adventure by Ubisoft suggested I do otherwise, so I was left pondering between getting that or Modern Warfare 2, another title that's only been out for about a week and has already created fevered pandemonium around the gaming circle. Since I wasn't really in the mood for some shooting just yet, I decided on the former to take a spin around the Renaissance century as a professional assassin and adventurer.

At first glance, Assassin's Creed 2 looks like your average "Back In Time" adventure game laced with stealth and conspiracy. However, it's a little bit more complicated than that. First, you're introduced to Desmond Miles, a bartender and the modern day protagonist of the first game who gives a brief summary of the events that happened during Assassin's Creed. Captured by the organization known only as Abstergo, Desmond is forced into an experiment that simulates the past of his ancestors through a machine called the "Animus". It is revealed that his ancestor was an Assassin named Altair, who fought against the Knights Templar in the late 12th Century during the Third Crusade of the Holy Land. In truth, the company is a modern version of the Knights Templar, who have waged war over the "Assassin Clan" for centuries over the mysterious artifact known as the "Piece Of Eden".

The second game takes place immediately after those events. After escaping from his captors with the help of a woman named Lucy, Desmond meets up with a resistance force, who are descendants of the Assassins themselves and continue on their fight against Abstergo. Using the "Animus 2.0", Desmond reconnects with another ancestor from his past - a man named Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Set in the late 15th and early 16th century, Ezio lived a noble and adventurous life, until he witnesses a family tragedy that forces him into the destiny that his ancestors have carried from generation to generation - the life of an Assassin. The game begins with his birth, and continues on to his new life, where vengeance against his family's betrayers will be swift and without mercy.

On the ball and still rolling, playing Assassin's Creed has been nothing short of fun and exciting. Experiencing a recreation of the beautiful city of Florence, Italy during the 16th century is amazing, and all the people speak with naturalized Itallian/ English dialect. As Ezio, you're free to roam the streets and rooftops, jumping obstacles and traversing impossible distances in a manner similar to Spider-Man and the Prince from Prince Of Persia. I couldn't help but compare the Desmond/ Abstergo relationship to that of Neo and the Matrix, and in many ways, jacking into the system and experiencing the "bleeding effect" in reality is very reminiscent of the Wachowski Bros. action flick. Nothing wrong there, and it also explains the white, techy HUD look the Animus system has during gameplay. As this is also open world styled game, expect some side missions to keep you busy aside from the main game, with plenty of treasures and quests to explore to upgrade your character and his possessions.

Since I'm still playing the game and having a heck of a time exploring, Assassin's Creed II turned out to be a good gaming investment. The learning curve is relatively easy and the danger level is tolerable, so it should keep the average gamer busy for at least a week or so. Unlike other stealth games, this one takes you back to the past and gives a history lesson that will help you survive in the long run. With famous artists, painters, and locations at your side, it's bound to become a wide scope adventure full of unpredictability, treachery, and danger. Stealth kills, swift moves, and intution help at these times, so prepare to experience awesome at its finest.