Gamer Unit

Assassins Creed 2 was a fantastic game improving everything over its ambitious yet mediocre prequel Assassins Creed. It introduced us to a charismatic new protagonist in Ezio Auditore da Firenze and gave us a wonderful setting in Renaissance Italy during the 1500’s. Brotherhood picks up where its predecessor left off. After a battle at the family's villa in Monteriggioni, Ezio's nemesis, Cesare Borgia, steals the crucial artifact known as the Apple of Eden. With the help of Caterina and other old friends, Ezio heads to Rome to retrieve the Apple and rid the city of Borgia influence. This is the basis of the story which is straightforward for the most part; excluding some minor twists which don’t really shock you too much to be classified as plot twists. As always, the Desmond parts of the story make a return, which were the weakest part of Assassins Creed 2 and remain that way. However the ending of Brotherhood partly makes up for the bland filler material of his part throughout the game.

 

While Brotherhood’s story may fall up short of delivering, Ubisoft has made up for it by giving you a colossal and realistic depiction of Rome in the 1500’s. The attention to detail has been spectacular with some amazing vistas and sights to take around as you explore the city. You will see citizens roaming on their daily business during daytime and with lanterns during the night. The enormous world obviously implies that some bugs will be present and although some do exist they are, for the most part harmless and bearable. Within this grand world is a ton of stuff to do. The staples of the series--rooftop platforming and free running, blending with crowds, silent assassination and swordplay--have all returned, and most have been enhanced or adjusted in some way. It's as exhilarating as ever to leap across roofs and climb to the tops of towers. Leap of faith jumps also make a return as do vista points which offer a splendid view of the city. Lifts that rapidly catapult you to a rooftop are a great new addition and provide high-speed thrills, though the movement mechanics are generally the same as before--it's the architecture and level design that have been altered for the better.

 

The Borgias have spread their influence around Rome, and to undermine their rule, you destroy their edifices. Before you can do that, you must assassinate a commander who is generally in the area. Often, your target will flee if you directly engage the guards that surround him, so you will want to approach carefully so as to not leave a trace. Eliminating Borgia influence is important because you then gain access to local vendors, though this access isn't immediate, it increases your income steadily and also beautifies the city too.  you must spend money to make money, but Brotherhood's catalog contains a lot of big-ticket items. If you want access to blacksmiths, doctors, tailors, and so on, you first must purchase and renovate their shops to a certain extent.  Not only does renovating an empty storefront give you access to supplies, but it also begins to generate income. As you bring in money, you eventually purchase landmarks, which cost a handsome amount.

 

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood's most noteworthy new feature isn't introduced until you're several hours in. In a callback to the original Assassin's Creed, distressed citizens might be under attack by Borgia's loyal soldiers. Rescuing one makes him or her loyal to your cause. You control this recruit’s life, sending him on various missions around the region, and even calling for his assistance during your need. These missions are controlled when you visit a pigeon coop. You select a contract and choose a recruit or recruits to assign, and they hopefully succeed. By completing missions, the recruits level up, and you can then improve their armor or weaponry. However, this addition seems quite unnecessary and makes an already simple game bordering on ridiculous. The combat has been beefed up, making combos easier and killing enemies off faster. Calling an assassin in battle removes anything resembling a challenge in Brotherhood.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood also introduces an unusual multiplayer component that doesn't deliver constant excitement like other games but is a satisfying alternative to the vast number of shooters on the market. There are several match types, which include the Assassinate and Escort modes released to consoles in the Da Vinci Disappearance pack. Most of Brotherhood's modes are variations on the same theme: you hunt an assigned target (alone, or in a team) while simultaneously trying to avoid the player designated to assassinate you. You get a general indication of your target's location, and you know what your target looks like. But then again, many of the non-player characters look exactly the same.

 

Assassins Creed: Brotherhood is one of the best games of 2010 and is a deserving GOTY candidate. It remains my personal favorite Assassins Creed game (although that many change with Black Flag). It adds layers to an already brilliant predecessor and has a unique multiplayer to boot, setting it apart from the generic shooters on the market. Assassins Creed: Brotherhood is a must-play for open world fans, history fanatics and those people who want to play a game with a deep and engaging story mode with a unique multiplayer.