Assassin's Creed II: Discovery

 DS
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 39
  3. Negative: 7 out of 39
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  1. Blahguy126
    Feb 22, 2013
    9
    I was a bit of a fan of the console versions of Assassin's Creed II, and when I saw this at the game store, I thought it would be a neat sequel with some gimmicks. I underestimated this game: It has great voice acting (Escpecially for a DS game), ingenious combat, great platforming, and the entire game is rather long and has perfect pacing... Not to mention some of the best looking visualsI was a bit of a fan of the console versions of Assassin's Creed II, and when I saw this at the game store, I thought it would be a neat sequel with some gimmicks. I underestimated this game: It has great voice acting (Escpecially for a DS game), ingenious combat, great platforming, and the entire game is rather long and has perfect pacing... Not to mention some of the best looking visuals I've seen on a DS. The only problem I can think of with this game is that the platforming sometimes seems repedetive, but for me that's easily overshadowed by the combat, which for me was the highlight of the game. It has a great stealth mechanic that plays like, if not better than, the console versions. It's probably the best a 2d stealth game gets.… Expand
  2. jonnyd
    Nov 28, 2010
    2
    Argh. Im so stupid for buying this. Ive loved all the other games, but this one sucks. there. dont buy, cos youl regret it. okay, i need a few more characters to submit this, so. .................................
  3. Just_Some_Gamer
    Apr 1, 2018
    9
    (9) "Exceptional"

    Pros: -Exceptional melee, with the simplistic counter/block system working better here in free flowing individual levels than it ever did in the main series' huge sandboxes -Exceptional stealth. The problem of side-scrolling foresight is solved with a stealth pose and viewfinder, giving the player all the necessary information to proceed at all times. Hiding    (9) "Exceptional"

    Pros:

    -Exceptional melee, with the simplistic counter/block system working better here in free flowing individual levels than it ever did in the main series' huge sandboxes

    -Exceptional stealth. The problem of side-scrolling foresight is solved with a stealth pose and viewfinder, giving the player all the necessary information to proceed at all times. Hiding locations are well implemented (i.e hay piles).

    -Exceptional parkour. Maybe even 'and this is bold' the best in the series. Thanks to Griptonites 3D engine (Web of Shadows) Ezio's animation is nothing short of stunning, with satisfying weight and momentum playing a key role in every action.

    -Gameplay variety. 3 Mission archetypes: Stealth(Detection level), Chase (High speed parkour) and Standard (Sandbox). Every level offers multiple paths, with the higher route usually requiring parkour skill and the lower ones more crowded with enemy patrols. Ramps are high risk, requiring Ezio to leap at a roofs edge while sprinting in order to avoid death, this makes parkour all the more engaging should the player 'choose' the high road.

    -Brilliant graphics. I can't stress this enough, Griptonites 3D DS engine is a work of art, this might be primarily a sidescroller but the character models, textures, architecture and backdrops look better than anything in Bloodlines.

    -High replayability. Again, a series trademark, 'synchronisation' works better here than it ever did in the main series, with exciting individual levels where objectives compliment truncated sessions and provide incentive for mastery.

    -Exceptional voice acting. This took me by surprise, it's one thing for the game to look so good but with the inclusion of such high standard VO it really comes together to create the feeling of a home console experience on the go, refreshingly altered only by a perspective change (ala the Tony Hawk games GBA) and some favourable changes to formula.

    -Plenty of extra's.

    Cons:

    -A little fuzzy on the native hardware. I recommend emulation, as some of the finer details are begging for a higher resolution.

    -Equally fuzzy audio. Despite the comprehensive VO, it's not crystal clear.

    -On the short side. For how fun it is, it's over just a bit too soon.

    -Steep platforming curve. The actual platforming is far from punishing, and checkpoints are a hasty respawn but some parkour sequences may require some trial and error early on if you want to master the high road right away. Even though there is a tutorial, the exact timing of some maneuvers (like jumps) and the high risk involved isn't communicated to the player extensively.

    -----------------------------------
    Overall I definitely recommend it. It can be difficult to acclimate to the side scrolling concept, but once you do you might see how elegantly the formula was translated to work in this format, on a handheld no less.    … Expand
  4. ninjaguy454
    Jul 27, 2020
    9
    AC II: Discovery was a pleasant and much needed improvement over its predecessor. The game feels much more akin to the Chronicle series and it seems to take the mold of what that series became.

    Gameplay-wise, the game has been converted to a 2-d sidescrolling stealth game as opposed to a 2.5 or 3D game like Altair's Chronicles. I think this did wonders to help streamline the gameplay    AC II: Discovery was a pleasant and much needed improvement over its predecessor. The game feels much more akin to the Chronicle series and it seems to take the mold of what that series became.

    Gameplay-wise, the game has been converted to a 2-d sidescrolling stealth game as opposed to a 2.5 or 3D game like Altair's Chronicles. I think this did wonders to help streamline the gameplay and allow the developers to really focus on that over a 3D environment they simply would not be able to replicate on the DS.

    There are a few different gameplay modes where you are either doing stealth missions, escape, or free roam and they are all fun in their own way. The combat was simplified over the first title and it was needed. The game wants you to avoid combat, but when you engage in it, it is typically a quick skirmish of timing your blocks and attacks right. It feels rewarding.

    On top of that, you are rewarded for how well you play through missions and are scored based on that. If you wish, you can use these score points to buy unlockables for your character in the main menu (kinda like unlocking cheats). I think this does a great deal to incentivize the player to carefully play through each level and also allows them to lower the difficulty if they desire. It is a very rewarding system.

    I noticed almost no lag while playing, it was buttery smooth. This was significant over AC 1 where it was nearly unplayable at times. Even though the graphics were simplified, the environment still looks good and is much more stylistic.

    The sound effects are pretty great as well, although the music appears to be hard to hear most of the time, which to me isn't a big deal. But it is nice to listen to a good soundtrack while playing an equally good game.

    Overall Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is a superb DS title and one I would consider a must-play and would recommend to anyone looking for another great game to play while revisiting the system.    … Expand
  5. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 1, 2023
    6
    Despite its flaws - the small screen means there are one too many blind jumps and off-screen enemies - this is quite an enjoyable little stealth combat platform game. A bit one note but solidly done.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best DS Game of 2009
32
#32 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
29
#29 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Everyeye.it
    50
    Even if characters and events are charming and thrilling, gameplay mechanics are dull and a bit flat.
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  2. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    55
    A missed opportunity to right the first game's wrongs. A by-the-numbers platforming experience.
    Read full review
  3. SpazioGames
    65
    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.
    Read full review
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