Assassin's Creed II: Discovery

A much more ambitious design but in a more restrictive 2D environment. The result is a much more fulfilling and fun DS experience that runs parallel to the far more elaborate console production, and while I had problems with the blind jumps and trial-and-error, mapless gameplay, I had a great time with Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery.

There's no clunkiness like there was in Altair's Chronicles, only great 2-D platforming and a cool presentation. This is a pleasant Discovery indeed.

In many ways Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is big step up from its predecessor, and Griptonite's high energy, action-heavy approach is one that will sit well with many fans of the series. The downside is the overabundance of platforming stabby-stabbery tends to grow repetitive before long, and the trial-and-error nature of the level design is enough to make some players grow tired of the experience prematurely.

The game is far from perfect but it’s easy to look past the flaws when the game is too fun to even want to put down.

In spite of some shortcomings such as the hectic camera, Assassin's Creed 2: Discovery is a good adaptation of some of Assassin’s Creed 2’s gameplay aspects. It is not a sandbox game, but it is still quite remarkable, especially graphics-wise.

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery goes to Spain's fifteenth-century and tells us the precedent to the discovery of America, narrating us the events about Cristobal Colon and having on mind the Templar's presence around the queen Isabella of Spain. All in a well-doing and stable game for Nintendo DS.

If you're already a big fan of the whole Assassin's Creed lore, then I think Discovery is worth checking out just to fill in some gaps. As a stand-alone game it's fun to play, but the story stuff isn't explained that well for newcomers, and I think any impact you'd get out if it would be completely lost.

In spite of some nagging issues, this 2D platformer is fun to play and captures the spirit of the series.

While Assassin's Creed II: Discovery isn't going to revolutionise the DS, it gives you the chance to enjoy solidly executed and fast-paced, platforming action.

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery does an admirable job of tying together platforming, combat, and stealth without having any of those game styles feel like a particular weakness. [Jan 2010, p.89]

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is a step forward compared to his predecessor, but it doesn't feel like it's been developed with the NDS in mind, because of the lack of any touch screen interactions. The gameplay is too linear and sometimes repetitive. All in all, you might consider it only if you're a big fan of the brand, but there's no other reason to get excited.

Grinds to a standstill. [Feb 2010, p.73]

Regardless of its faults, Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is a far better game than its prequel. With the idea of imitating the original design dropped for good, Discovery feels now like a traditional side-scrolling platform. In the end the game mixes a good level design with flat pace, simple fights and boring, frustrating stealth sessions.

Undoubtedly, Ezio Auditore is a better assassin than his predecessor, but Discovery is just a pretty, short platform game. Nothing else.

It's a good game, with great visuals, gameplay and interesting features. But, unfortunately, it's extremely short and some mechanics just don't work. It's a shame, seeing all its potential, that the game ends up being just an interesting entry in the series.

In the end, I felt that Discovery was a smart representation of Assassin's Creed on the DS, but the game feels a little incomplete. Ezio, and you, has no real end goal other than to survive and get back to the main quest... in the console version of Assassin's Creed 2.

A missed opportunity to right the first game's wrongs. A by-the-numbers platforming experience.

Even if characters and events are charming and thrilling, gameplay mechanics are dull and a bit flat.