For me, Assassin’s Creed 2 has always been the highlight of the series. And while some of the later games have been good, none of them have quite captured the same sense of place or character. We’ve seen the series jump through time and locations, but Renaissance Italy is the one that lingers in the memory the most.
It seems Ubisoft are aware of that, too, and they just released this video detailing what they think made the game such a step up from the first.
Outside of the characters and the world, Assassin’s Creed 2 brought with it some minor mechanical tweaks that made a lot of difference in practice. Combat has always been quite shallow in the series, but Assassin’s Creed 2’s introduction of the ability to pick up discarded weapons and disarm enemies injected a bit of much needed variety into encounters.
One of Assassin’s Creed Unity’s biggest failings was in forcing you to stick with purchased weapons only – no doubt spurred on by the inclusion of the online mode and the hope that weapon and outfit choice would be what set players apart.
Assassin’s Creed 2 will always be a high point in the series, but I’m cautiously optimistic about Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. I love the idea of visiting Victorian London, all gas lamps and smoke stacks, occasionally stabbing a passer-by in the neck. Sorry, guvnor.
Let us know how you feel about the series in the comments.