AC:B single player review

AC:B is a direct sequal of assassin's creed 2, (some say assassin's creed 2.5), i first thought this game was some lame expansion game for ubisoft to milk the franchise, however after playing the game, i'd have to say it's the best in the series.

AC:B takes off right after the cliff hanger in the second game,if you haven't played the second game, dont even try to get this, you'll get very confused with whats going on. (IMO skip AC 1 and play AC2 directly if you want to keep up the pace)

the whole game takes place in Rome, and the map is as big as the second game with much less loading screens. However i felt some areas in the map was poorly designed(or they needed to keep it accurate to the actual Rome, dont know ) there are places you NEED to get to, but they are located on some leveled ground, these places usually have only 1 correct route for you to access, making it EXTREMELY IRRITATING and FRUSTRATING after just running around trying to find a correct path.

Not to mention the horse riding in this game, you can summon your horse whenever in the game by pressing a button, Ubisoft claims that they have improved on the horse riding but for some sadistic reasons, the horse runs VERY F'N slow. You get around 3,4 times in the game where the horse really gallops but this only occurs when chasing someone in the story line(scripted you may say) This is very annoying since the outside of Rome(rural area) is so big and empty.

The story is great and keeps "True" with history, Ezio is now older and more mature, the character's growth from AC2 is very apparent, and its carried out by some great voice acting. If you're as curious as me (opening a wikipedia page and search for the characters actual history while playing the game) you are in for a treat. The Borgia family is well portraited and i'd have to say Ceasre (main antagonist) is pretty well done. (especially the scene with the pope near the end)

A new feature of this game is recruiting assassin's to help you through the game, although this doesnt really happen untill half way in the story, it's still very fun, if you've played Metal gear Peace Walker you'll be familiar with this feature, basicly you just help some random guy fight off a few guard, and he will become an assassin in return. you have to send them out for missions to gain exp to level up. They really do come in handy in some situations where you can't be spotted or overwhelmed in combat.

For treature/trophy hunters, this game is WAYYY better than the last one, remeber having to search the internet for maps and walkthroughs for the locations of feathers, remembers those time when you have 1 more feather to collect and you dont know WTF it's hidden. well, after better the game, you can purchase maps from the merchants for the flag and feather locations. i remember it took me 2-3 days to complete the feather collection in AC2, but now it only took me 2 hours !!!!

Finally, if you're a completionist, i highly suggest you to comeplete the game with a overall of 75% sync. you'll get to play though Ezio's love memory.(really good side quest)

It's a really fun game and deserves betters, would be GOTY for me.(yes i just said that)

next review will be about the multiplayer of the game....and oh boy.......