Ezio Auditore da Firenze, probably the most beloved protagonist in the Assassin’s Creed universe, is also the main reason I started gaming. Before Assassin’s Creed 2 was released my idea of gaming was just playing Pokemon on my game boy (not this new Pokemon Go). However Assassin’s Creed 2 opened my eyes to the world of gaming. It contained all the ingredients of the perfect game. A compelling story, lovable characters, a likable and memorable protagonist, a relocatable villain and a killer sound track. So you can imagine my excitement on the announcement of a remaster of my favourite game of all time. I felt like Stephen Hawking after and iOS update.
Assassin’s Creed Remaster
On the 15th of November “Assassin’s Creed- The Ezio Collection” will drop, which will include the remastered versions of:
Assassin’s creed II
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood
Assassin’s Creed Revelations
Plus all of the DLC that belongs to each title.
Players will also get access to the Assassin’s Creed Embers short movie, and Assassin’s Creed lineage, a three part film Detailing Ezio’s intriguing journey.
The Ezio collection will not included the multi player features of Brotherhood and Revelations as Ubisoft are focusing solely on Ezio’s story.
So with that all being said, I thought I’d give the games a replay and figure out my top 5 moments/missions
5. Leonardo Da Vinci “War Machine” Missions
We first meet Leonardo Da Vinci in Florence 1478. A brief encounter between Ezio and Leonardo in his workplace after he is tasked with building the famous hidden blade. We meet Leonardo at several junctures throughout Assassin’s Creed 2. But it is not until Assassins Creed Brotherhood that we get some of the most fun and replayable missions.
The “war machine” missions, involve Da Vinci giving the player a set of plans for a certain war machine and the player then must find each one and steal it from the Templars with out being detected.
Each of these war machines brought a brand new element of game play to the game. Each having multiple ways of stealing each war machine. Giving it a brilliant replayability factor.
The first of the war machine missions is my personal favourite mission of the entire franchise. It was the first time in the games lineage I felt truly utilised the aspects of being stealthy. A truly brilliant mission and story line.
4. Assassins Creed 2 – The Introduction
The first hour of Assassin’s Creed 2 is a perfect reminder of how beautiful a game can be. Ubisoft made a leap of faith (pun intended) in changing the main protagonist in just the second installment of their series.
The introduction is focused yet charming. the first few missions are just training. Getting the player used to the controls and game play, whilst introducing characters and plot points.
A clever twist was employed in the training. The modern day story line picks up directly from Assassins Creed. With Lucy breaking Desmond out of Abstergo. Leaving the character of Desmond unarmed and vulnerable, this is also accentuated to the player as Assassin’s Creed 2 carries a whole new combat system leaving even an experienced Assassin’s Creed player on the back foot.
However the main reason the introduction is so good is that it give us motive and a reason to believe in the characters and subsequently believe in the story. A real reason for the protagonist to take action.
There is a beautiful moment with ezio and his brother on the roof tops of Florence “it’s a good live we lead – the best- may it never change- and may it never change us” this particular exchange in hindsight stirs emotion with the player knowing what happens shortly after. A brilliant introduction.
3. Killing Cesera Borgia
The son of Pope Alexander VI, Cesera Borgia, is the main antagonist in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. A blood hungry mass murder with claims that no one could kill him. And with that claim it brought every single player the most satisfaction to actually bring an end to his life. Almost makes me want to kill someone in real life (your mates mam was right when she said games make you violent).
The whole ending to Assasin’s Creed Brotherhood is great but it’s this particular mission that really makes the game brilliant. After escaping your hidden blade several times. Cesera finally meets his end “decided by the hand of fate”. After a long battle sequence and your standard white room speech, Ezio let’s fate decide Cesera’s future by throwing him to the battlements they had previously fought upon. This is an interesting turn of events because rather than taking out all of the emotion and anger, that Ezio would no doubt have towards Cesera, he proves that not only can Cesera be killed… but that he can die from a fall non the less. A great sequence with a thought provoking ending.
2. The Library of Altiar
Revelations, as promised, reveals a lot more about the game’s modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles. We also learn a more about the lives of the two ancestors of his, Altair and Ezio, who we’ve spent most of these games playing as. In Revelation’sninth and final chapter, you get to play brief, final sequences with these characters.
After leaving his weapons, Ezio begins to enter the library built under Masayaf. Starting to talk out loud, Ezio starts to talk out loud to his host Desmond. Though he admitted that he did not know how the latter could hear him. He only hoped that Desmond would be able to answer the questions he had asked, and that he would “make all this suffering worth something in the end.”
Finally Ezio reaches the library and meets Altair. Uniting all three protagonists in one seamless and emotive scene. The lighting in this sequence lends its self so well to the atmosphere of the game. Brilliant composition accompanies the scene creating a mood that is truly beautiful.
1. The ending to Assassin’s Creed II
Alot of people hated the ending to Assassin’s Creed 2. But not me.
After refusing to kill Rodrigo Borgia out of morality. Ezio ventures into the vault underneath the Vatican. On entering he is met by the projection of Minerva. A goddess like being from the first civilization. She starts to speak to Ezio about the first civilization and things like that.
I know fans of the series are not phases by the sci-fi spin the franchise because of its presence in the games. However previous to this game. There was no talk of aliens and sentient beings. It took such a shocking sci-fi turn that everyone who finished the game likely murmured WTF in unison with Desmonds closing statement. While some didn’t particularly like the way AC2 lamped them over the head with a cliff hanger, it left many players feverishly anticipating the next game in the series, so much so that Ezio got two more major outings: Brotherhood and Revelations, both of which are great games.
Games like Assassin’s Creed II ones that so masterfully combine storytelling and engaging interaction are a rare and deserve praise. From its unforgettable story and protagonist to its combat and world-building tweaks, it bested the original in every regard, even bringing a layer of freshness to the series with the inclusion of an economy. Its a shining example of the level of quality that all games sequel or not should strive to achieve.
You can follow Philip on his Instagram account @philip_kent
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