Assassins Creed 2 Review Xbox 360

Back in 2007 Assassins Creed was a massive hit. It combined stealth, counter based fighting and free running on top of the excellent action adventure storyline. Now it's time to hop back onto the anamous and delve into the history of the Templars and the Assassins.

Assassins Creed 2 follows on from the end of the original game, you still play as Desmond, a confused test subject in Abstergo industries laboratory. A company run by the modern day version of the Knights Templar. Before long you're smuggled out to help stop the Templars from finding a mysterious and powerful piece of Eden.

Once again you'll be using the Anamous, a sort of high tech bed to help Desmond find his ancestral memories. You're dropped into Italy 1476, 300 years after the events of the original Assassins Creed with our hero Ezio Auditori . Vowing to take revenge on those that betrayed his family, Ezio gathers the skills and equipment he needs to become a master assassin.

Huge maps are both detailed and beautiful

This journey takes place through Italy's most famous locations such as Venice and Tuscany. These Cities are beautiful, detailed and absolutely huge. Ezio has no problem in free running across their roof tops, dodging guards and generally keeping out of sight. At the top of the highest buildings you'll often find viewpoints that open up missions and reveal more of the expansive map. Objectives and side missions appear here and you're free to accept them in whatever order you choose.

Blacksmiths, Tailors and Doctors also appear so you can heal and repair armour and damaged weapons. The frequent brawls and fights you get into still feel as satisfying as they did before. Using the correct combination of moves and equipment will be vital for staying in one piece. Your hidden blades are perfect for stealthy kills and Leonardo Da Vinci will personally be building you more tools as you progress.

Assassins Creed 2 Side Missions

Away from the central storyline there are hundreds of different optional pursuits, collectibles, treasure boxes and loot are scattered everywhere and you can use these resources for bribes, upgrades and even Art collection.

Summary