Assassin's Creed II

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1723 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,538 out of 1723
  2. Mixed: 126 out of 1723
  3. Negative: 59 out of 1723
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  1. NikkyP
    Dec 2, 2009
    2
    First impressions: game is WAYYY over rated and pretty much sucks. Honestly i can't understand why so many praise it? It is full of serious glitches, dumb objectives which give you very little info and time to achieve plus sometimes i will be hanging around without knowing what to do and absolutely no info - then i quit, restart and bam, it begins with an objective. Super stupid. First impressions: game is WAYYY over rated and pretty much sucks. Honestly i can't understand why so many praise it? It is full of serious glitches, dumb objectives which give you very little info and time to achieve plus sometimes i will be hanging around without knowing what to do and absolutely no info - then i quit, restart and bam, it begins with an objective. Super stupid. Plus the map is crap. Very very disappointed and i'm starting to hate most Ubisoft games. Should have kep my money for MW 2… Expand
  2. cub317
    Sep 25, 2013
    4
    I have already written a review of this game once, however, I ultimately decided that that review was just bad, so I've decided to write a brand new one. What do I have to say about this game? Well, it is just about the most overrated piece of crud that I have ever played. Many of my friends at school played this game, and they claimed that it was awesome. However, all I have to sayI have already written a review of this game once, however, I ultimately decided that that review was just bad, so I've decided to write a brand new one. What do I have to say about this game? Well, it is just about the most overrated piece of crud that I have ever played. Many of my friends at school played this game, and they claimed that it was awesome. However, all I have to say about it is that they are wrong. Dead wrong. Not just about this game, but also the entire Assassin's Creed series. There is really nothing so awesome about this series at all. As for this game, in case you are wondering why this is overrated, well, let's start with the gameplay. The gameplay of this game could fuel pretty much any generic action open world game. The only thing that really sets it apart from the other games in this genre is its unique Renaissance setting. Admittedly, I do like this game's Renaissance setting. It is more unique than most other games in its genre. However, the unique setting does not save this game if you ask me. As I said, the gameplay is just way too generic. Not to mention, by this point, Batman Arkham Asylum was already out, and it really made this game look bad. Also, I may or may not be the only person who has had these problems, but I also noticed dozens of glitches in this game that could only be fixed through restarting my Xbox. I've played several games with bugs and glitches in them, however, those could usually be fixed in easier ways than restarting my console. For example, on the PC version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, if there was a glitch, I would not have to restart my PC, I would just have to restart the game. This doesn't take anywhere near as much time as restarting my Xbox, waiting for it to load, and then finally restarting the game. As for the story of this game, and the entire series, everyone keeps on telling me that it's awesome. It is not. Not by a long shot. For one, the interlocking stories set in the present and the past just make the game that much more confusing than it needs to be. Also, I'm stunned that I'm apparently the only person in the world who has realized this. The stories of these games just rip everything off. The story of Assassin's Creed II is pretty much just the Renaissance version of Batman. Some of Ezio's family members were murdered, and he rose from that to become a hero. That is exactly the same story as both Batman and Spider-Man. Their family members were also murdered, and they also rose from that to become a hero. Also, I don't see why everyone loves Ezio so much. I don't like him at all. He is pretty much just an Italian version of Spider-Man, who loves making out with women a little more. As for the story set in the present, all I can say is that it is just awful, and should just be removed from the series entirely. Not only does it make the plot more confusing, however, it is also a rip-off of the Matrix (one of the greatest Sci-Fi films ever made). It is all about the character Desmond Miles going into a computer program to gain the knowledge of his relatives, and save the world. The Matrix was pretty much the same scenario, with the main character Neo going into a computer program to save the world. As for the graphics, everyone keeps telling me that this series has quite possibly the greatest graphics ever. If you want my opinion on them, all I can say is that I don't see anything special. As a matter of fact, I'd say these graphics are good...for the original Xbox. This game's graphics were so outdated for their time. I can name at least five games right now that I believe had better graphics, and came out before Assassin's Creed II (Batman Arkham Asylum, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, and Half-Life 2). So yeah, the graphics of this game are completely outdated. I am convinced that there is nothing, I repeat, nothing Assassin's Creed can do that no other action game can't do already. This game, no, this whole series is every bit as overrated as the entire Call of Duty franchise. The gameplay is generic, the story rips off just about everything, and the graphics are really outdated. If you are a true gamer like me, stay as far away from this game franchise as you possibly can. If you want a much better experience, buy Arkham Asylum or its sequel Arkham City. These two games have amazing gameplay, a non-cliched story, and beautiful graphics. They are definitely much better choices than any game in this series.… Expand
  3. drlowdon
    Jun 8, 2013
    4
    Despite eventually completing the original Assassins Creed game I did find it a difficult game to enjoy. Having heard that this sequel was an improvement however I decided to pick it up having spotted it in the bargain bin of my local video game store. The ability to fast travel and more variety in the missions are certainly welcome additions but many of the same issues, such as boringDespite eventually completing the original Assassins Creed game I did find it a difficult game to enjoy. Having heard that this sequel was an improvement however I decided to pick it up having spotted it in the bargain bin of my local video game store. The ability to fast travel and more variety in the missions are certainly welcome additions but many of the same issues, such as boring sidequests and the overall slow pace, meant that yet again I just couldn’t find any real enjoyment in the game.… Expand
  4. BrettD
    Dec 4, 2009
    4
    If you aren't into the AC story then don't bother with this game. The graphics are terrible even when not considering all the screen tearing and pop-in. infamous had better graphics than this game. The sound to the game sucks also because it doesn't go with the game. That is there is modern music in the background which doesn't suit the game. The controls probably If you aren't into the AC story then don't bother with this game. The graphics are terrible even when not considering all the screen tearing and pop-in. infamous had better graphics than this game. The sound to the game sucks also because it doesn't go with the game. That is there is modern music in the background which doesn't suit the game. The controls probably pissed me off the most with this game. If it wasn't for the story I wouldn't have finished the game but the ending was pretty weird. Rent this game if you must and don't believe all the hype.… Expand
  5. assman123
    Jul 26, 2011
    3
    The game is great, praise the graphics, but not much the gameplay. Although their are new assassin's moves you can do, it's really harder to keep up from dying and desychronizing.

    Ezio Auditore ain't much of a character. Altair is way better because gamers loves a character more mysterious and ambush predator like. Ezio is more of a kid, clumsy, unwitting and immature.
  6. MoistGlove
    Aug 16, 2013
    2
    Absolutely terrible in every way. The graphics look like they're from an original xbox and the controls are awkward and use difficult timing. Missions are repetitve and the game is slow throughout. The original assassin's creed was much more fun and engaging.
  7. dupplawt
    Apr 24, 2011
    4
    I enjoyed the first game in the series, and I enjoyed most of this one. But about two thirds in I just wanted it to end, it became a chore. Perhaps this was because I didn't really sympathise with Ezio but the missions seemed to me a wasted opportunity. They crafted this beautifully, intrinsically detailed world with varied locations but the gameplay, while interesting at first with DaI enjoyed the first game in the series, and I enjoyed most of this one. But about two thirds in I just wanted it to end, it became a chore. Perhaps this was because I didn't really sympathise with Ezio but the missions seemed to me a wasted opportunity. They crafted this beautifully, intrinsically detailed world with varied locations but the gameplay, while interesting at first with Da Vinci's inventions, became tedious and the ending was a complete mystery to me, especially with the arduous task of collecting some sort of video sequence which seemed to have nothing to do with the game. I got 30 hours out of this game, and the first 20 or so were enjoyable with improvements over the first game in many areas, but I preferred the setting of the other game. 2/5.… Expand
  8. iscrewy
    Aug 6, 2011
    0
    Where to start with this piece of **** The horrible graphics, the horrible controls, the horrible AI, the horrible fighting, or the texture popping?

    I guess the controls. This game has horrible controls. If you like going faster than 2 miles an hour, prepare to have your character jump 20 miles off a building for no reason. Prepare to have your character jump onto a wall for no reason.    Where to start with this piece of **** The horrible graphics, the horrible controls, the horrible AI, the horrible fighting, or the texture popping?

    I guess the controls. This game has horrible controls. If you like going faster than 2 miles an hour, prepare to have your character jump 20 miles off a building for no reason. Prepare to have your character jump onto a wall for no reason. It's called a JUMP button, Ubisoft. Would have made this game decent. The graphics are absolute **** And what's worse, there's constant texture popping! You could stand still, and the textures at your feet would pop! The AI is horrible not allowing for a stealthy approach "This guy has no friends, he must be the assassin!" also, the AI has eyes on the back of their head. You could walk up to a guy as slow as possible, and he would start running away. Do not get this game. It is the worst game I have ever played. The mere sight of it makes me want to puke.    … Expand
  9. harrys
    Nov 25, 2009
    3
    This game is not all that. What amazes me is that the only honest review I've seen of this game was not factored into the metacritic score. Interesting. Very, very interesting. Destructoid gave it a 4.5 but I guess that would have brought down the average too much so it's not here. Destructoid reviews are included on this site a lot, so there is something wrong when metacritic This game is not all that. What amazes me is that the only honest review I've seen of this game was not factored into the metacritic score. Interesting. Very, very interesting. Destructoid gave it a 4.5 but I guess that would have brought down the average too much so it's not here. Destructoid reviews are included on this site a lot, so there is something wrong when metacritic is throwing out lower scoring reviews for profit.… Expand
  10. PSam
    Jan 30, 2010
    4
    This game is a little better than the first, but not by much. The story is more interesting and they have (thankfully) done away with the inane eavesdropping that dumbed down AC 1. However all the other faults are still there. The missions are repetitive and boring to a fault, I mean who on earth wants to just run around finding friggin codex pages just before the final boss?? It would be This game is a little better than the first, but not by much. The story is more interesting and they have (thankfully) done away with the inane eavesdropping that dumbed down AC 1. However all the other faults are still there. The missions are repetitive and boring to a fault, I mean who on earth wants to just run around finding friggin codex pages just before the final boss?? It would be alright if locating them were at all challenginig, but its just hire whores or thugs to distract the guards and saunter in to loot the box....thats it...over and over and over and over again. I hoped the ending would justify spending $60....nope, same old bizzare rubbish that concluded the last game. The only things I liked in the game were the graphics(certainly not the best, but good all the same) and the double assassinations.....so, if you disliked the first, then steer well clear of this. I bought it simply because of the 91 on metacritic. Rent first!!!!… Expand
  11. necifix
    Oct 28, 2010
    0
    Honestly, it's the worst game I have ever played. The difficulty level is way too high and even e of the first missions, "Sibling Rivalry" the difficulty is to great for someone not familiar with the series or these type games. An epic failure.
  12. Megasuperman715
    Nov 26, 2019
    1
    It has nothing going for it. The gameplay, story, writing, characters, environments, graphics, controls, combat all suck beyond words. It's a chore to play and never satisfying.
  13. ty92
    Jun 30, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I played the first couple hours of this game on PS4. I bought the Ezio Collection. And I find it hard to play because of how bad the climbing is. I will try to climb a wall and instead I end up jumping off the wall.. Also some missions you have to go to a target without being seen. You have to blend in with the crowd. But it doesn't work good and I end up getting killed. It really sucks. This game is nothing like Assassins Creed Odyssey..… Expand
  14. Dark_Man_1337
    Jan 18, 2021
    3
    Actially i can't understand why big number of people say the game is great. combat system not soo cool (capture of the enemy or disarmament that is the question). parkour is **** a small pit (very small) appears on your way, the hero cannot just go through it, he will stand and wait for the order to jump.and it is very difficult to show the direction of the hero's jump on the gamepad andActially i can't understand why big number of people say the game is great. combat system not soo cool (capture of the enemy or disarmament that is the question). parkour is **** a small pit (very small) appears on your way, the hero cannot just go through it, he will stand and wait for the order to jump.and it is very difficult to show the direction of the hero's jump on the gamepad and parkour animation limps. And STEALTH ubisoft added stealth missions in game without stealth (stealth is the worst in all games). so... i hate this game and I do not advise playing it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2009
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 82
  3. Negative: 1 out of 82
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    90
    The first Assassin's Creed's charm was in the sumptuous graphics and straightforward action - that incredible climbing and free-running, and the visceral thrill of stapling evil people to the dirt with a wristblade. With AC2 the rest of the game has caught up with the brilliance of those central ideas to create a complete and coherent experience. We can think of plenty of words that could describe Assassin's Creed 2 - involving, exciting, cinematic - but there's only one word that sums it up beautifully. Killer. [Dec 2009, p.74]
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  2. Everyeye.it
    95
    Assassin's Creed 2 is miles away form the first chapter. It's a whole new game, different in many aspects. The main quest is involving and nice to play, and the number of side mission and extra activities is impressive (and all of them are fun to play). The setting is peculiar and unique, and the panoramic views are sharp and, somehow, magic.
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  3. SpazioGames
    91
    Assassin's Creed II delivers a great story driven experience. Solving most of the problems of its predecessor, this accomplished sequel offers compelling action, beautiful environments and a great plethora of well written characters. A must have for every action-adventure fan with a taste for history, and one of the best games of this fall.
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