Nothing is true, everything is permitted. It’s a phrase commonly used in the popular action adventure “Assassin’s Creed” video game, and in its sequel “Assassin’s Creed II,” which was released Nov. 17.

“Assassin’s Creed” was a big release in 2007. The player controls Desmond Miles, a bartender captured by the modern incarnation of the Knights Templar and forced to access his ancestor Altair’s memory, through a machine called the animus.

After finding what they are looking for in the memories of Altair, Desmond is left for dead; however, a fellow assassin Lucy, uncovers a reason to keep him alive. Desmond is left alone and somehow discovers access to an ability his ancestor had called eagle vision which allows him to find markings on the floor and wall hidden from normal sight.

“Assassin’s Creed II” picks up exactly where the first left off, with the main character Desmond staring at a wall of drawings.
The player takes control of Desmond Miles starring at a wall, but soon is broken free by his fellow assassin Lucy. The player goes back to the assassin’s hideout and enters the animus 2.0. A new ancestor of Desmond is introduced; his name is Ezio Auditore DA Frirenze. He’s a young man in 15th-century Italy whose family was betrayed. His brothers and father were killed, and he has sworn vengeance upon the perpetrators. He soon finds himself in a much bigger conspiracy than just his father’s and brothers’ deaths.

This time around players get to upgrade the assassin, sort of. They get four different armor upgrades, plus the Altair armor. Also players can buy different swords, maces and hammers, knife belt, health and poison pouch upgrades, and upgrade hidden blades with codex pages that are found across the map.
One of the coolest things is the ability to dye your costume at anytime; just find a tailor. Players can’t, however ,alter the Altair outfit gained through U-Play or the Altair armor. U-Play is a neat little feature that Ubisoft added allowing the player to unlock extras by just playing the game and earning points, however players need an internet connection to redeem the points earned through game play.

The game play is much smoother than “Assassin’s Creed,” giving the player better control over the timing of a counter or strafe. There still is the problem of the assassin jumping in odd directions, but it’s less of a hassle this time around. Also the maps are bigger, allowing the player more free roaming ability, and yes maps. The player can travel from Florence, to Venice to Romangna/Flori, to Monteriggioni: Villa Auditore and Tuscany. The landscape and buildings in Italy are amazingly done and superbly detailed.

The storyline itself is well thought out and in-depth, providing extensive entertainment for the player. The extra pickups also give the game a lot of entertainment in sort of a scavenger hunt way. Players can collect the “glyphs” that subject 16 left for them to find, or pick up the feathers scattered throughout the game or the statues that are scattered in Villa Auditore.

Overall, the game is a great followup to the first “Assassin’s Creed” and a fantastic update to the continuing storyline. The game should provide about 21 to 28 hours of game play, give or take a couple hours. Also after beating the game, players may continue to free roam throughout any city collecting or completing leftover tasks. The game is rated mature and for good reason.