Assassin's Creed II

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1923 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,716 out of 1923
  2. Mixed: 141 out of 1923
  3. Negative: 66 out of 1923
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  1. reepermanx
    Jan 14, 2010
    10
    Unbeleivable scope and ambition by the dev team. just about pulled off. Only critisism is that is goes on a bit too long and there is too much to do. This may be a good thing though for many palyers.
  2. Jagkid007
    Sep 22, 2010
    9
    This game is truly excellent. The story, the visuals, the gameplay, and it is just so much fun. I love all of the missions. None of them are repetitive like the first game suffered from. I just don't have much to say about his game besides the fact that the graphics look a little worse than the 1st game for some reason but this really is not very noticeable. Overall, the game is great, notThis game is truly excellent. The story, the visuals, the gameplay, and it is just so much fun. I love all of the missions. None of them are repetitive like the first game suffered from. I just don't have much to say about his game besides the fact that the graphics look a little worse than the 1st game for some reason but this really is not very noticeable. Overall, the game is great, not much bad to say about it.… Expand
  3. CorsairReviews
    Nov 18, 2010
    9
    Another game which took me by surprise, it has a long singleplayer which is strong and engaging to the end, there are enough variations in the gameplay to keep you entertained. The actual maps are brilliant and big enough to keep you exploring around for many hours. The slightly tedious and not very fluent parts are the combats, where they are not as smooth and great as depicted. Where youAnother game which took me by surprise, it has a long singleplayer which is strong and engaging to the end, there are enough variations in the gameplay to keep you entertained. The actual maps are brilliant and big enough to keep you exploring around for many hours. The slightly tedious and not very fluent parts are the combats, where they are not as smooth and great as depicted. Where you see Ezio mowing through guards with ease is more like Ezio getting surrounded by many guards, all of which parry constantly unless a single enemy randomly takes a stab at you, where all your character can do is parry back and randomly counter hoping you take the guy down in retaliation. With that said though, its still thoroughly enjoyable and Brotherhood is going to feature a more fluent combat system and even a multiplayer which they can use and improve in the future. Well Done Ubisoft Montreal!… Expand
  4. GamezR
    Sep 13, 2010
    9
    First up,Assassin's Creed gameplay was simply boring repetitive & to make it worst,there wasn't any anti-aliasing for the ATI graphic card users.Assassin's Creed 2 brought in those changes.I was really pull in by this game due to a few reasons.1:The Background (which takes place Italy), 2:The storyline & plots, 3:Ezio's Costume.For the background,I was amazed by the beautiful highlyFirst up,Assassin's Creed gameplay was simply boring repetitive & to make it worst,there wasn't any anti-aliasing for the ATI graphic card users.Assassin's Creed 2 brought in those changes.I was really pull in by this game due to a few reasons.1:The Background (which takes place Italy), 2:The storyline & plots, 3:Ezio's Costume.For the background,I was amazed by the beautiful highly detailed environments,architectural buildings & historical paintings in Italy during the Renaissance period. What makes the gameplay so addictive was due to it's plots that immerse along with the storyline,leaving players on wanting to know what is gonna happen after each sequence.Relating to the storyline,I think a story about family & revenge is captivating as long there are plenty of conspiracy to unravel the truth.Furthermore,Ezio's noble assassin costume was well designed as it's does blends in with the time line.Although like what most agreed that Assassin's Creed is repetitive in terms of gamplay,I have to be honest that it's also the same for the 2nd installment,except it's repetitive in an addictive way.For those who are concerned about soundtrack,all I can it's decent and suitable with each scenario.I also like the varieties of weapons usage eg.smoke bombs/poison blade as well as different ways & means to distract guards using prostitutes/thieves.Mini games in between such as collecting secrets,artifacts & upgrading the villa is something to keep players occupied even if he/she has finish the main game.Overall,I think Ubisoft Montreal has a really good job on Assassin's Creed 2 not in terms of improving the repetitive gameplay but the beautiful surroundings,game atmosphere,intense plots & also repetitive but addictive gameplay.Luckily,for ATI graphic card users we can finally enable Anti-Aliasing in this 2nd installments. One thing is for sure,Assassin's Creed 2 is definitely worth trying cause it's not gonna leave you with the same experience like you had in Assassin's Creed.The reason on why I can't give a perfect 10 for this game is because there some minor flaws which I believe the developers can improved in the next series of Assassin's Creed.… Expand
  5. anubite
    Jul 13, 2011
    7
    It's a good action game. But don't go into it expecting much. It is definitely improved over the first game, for sure (except barring the story) but it is hindered by a horrible camera system and lack of imagination. You are no more an assassin than Duke Nukem, something that is corrected I hope, by the time this series reaches the modern era.

    It's laughable, because there are points in    It's a good action game. But don't go into it expecting much. It is definitely improved over the first game, for sure (except barring the story) but it is hindered by a horrible camera system and lack of imagination. You are no more an assassin than Duke Nukem, something that is corrected I hope, by the time this series reaches the modern era.

    It's laughable, because there are points in the game where Ezio, a master "assassin" is told by lowly chums how to be more stealthy, and the guy wants to run into palaces like Rambo and kill his targets. Really? There's no stealth to this game, no finesse. The way guards detect you is poor. The game is thus, at times, boringly easy, and unfairly hard (there are certain missions where you must not alert guards, even if you kill the immediately after alerting them, forcing you to restart over and over), especially when the 'context camera' comes into play - there are certain timed platforming sections where, I would rather have Tomb Raider I's camera system than ASII's. It's like Ubisoft hasn't learned from over twenty years of 3d platforming. I don't intend to purchase any more of this series, I've been burnt out by this awful mess (22 hr complete time too, which is kind of short for a single player action game).    … Expand
  6. Jon-Ryo
    Oct 14, 2011
    7
    Seriously over hyped, the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive and the story is not good enough to keep the player grinding on through the missions which all amount to the same thing and get boring very quickly. The problem is trying to be an assassin in daylight (mostly), you can climb like the prince of persia but things become fiddley in combat. At first I enjoyed this game but I gotSeriously over hyped, the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive and the story is not good enough to keep the player grinding on through the missions which all amount to the same thing and get boring very quickly. The problem is trying to be an assassin in daylight (mostly), you can climb like the prince of persia but things become fiddley in combat. At first I enjoyed this game but I got bored of it quickly, I feel it is very overrated with an over emphasis on being able to explore the world and climb everywhere etc which in effect is what prince of persia was but in my opinion prince of persia on the PS2 was a better game than this.… Expand
  7. LuizZinhoO
    May 27, 2014
    10
    Masterpiece. Looks like you're really in Renaissance Italy. Good graphics, outrageous (in a good way of the word) story and character and gameplay. This is one of my favorites 7th generation games and my Ubisoft's favorite.
  8. ByronW
    Jan 5, 2010
    10
    This is a must buy! but the only problem for me is the difficulty. It is waay too easy, to carry 15 health potions around is ridiculous if you die in combat in AC2.....shame on you
  9. Orlandu84
    Oct 19, 2010
    9
    I really wish that I could give this game a 10, but I can't. The core gameplay of Assassin's Creed II is excellent and really engrossing. Playing through the main story will give you many fun of hours of fighting, killing, looting, and exploring. It took me a while to get used to the combat system; once I did, however, the game really opened up for me. The voice acting was top-notch,I really wish that I could give this game a 10, but I can't. The core gameplay of Assassin's Creed II is excellent and really engrossing. Playing through the main story will give you many fun of hours of fighting, killing, looting, and exploring. It took me a while to get used to the combat system; once I did, however, the game really opened up for me. The voice acting was top-notch, and the graphics were simply amazing.

    There are problems - many little problems. My chief complaint is that once you get decent at combat you will destroy your opponents. This game would do well to have boss fights that are really challenging. Secondarily, the pacing of the game is off. The plot felt fast and rushed in the end, which disappointed me after it was going along so well for most of the game. Lastly, you make way too much money way too easily by investing in the villa. Do these flaws ruin the game? No. If Brotherhood fixes these issues, however, it will be one of the best games ever made.    … Expand
  10. TheGerbil
    Sep 25, 2010
    10
    This game is awesome. It is the best game of 2009 alongside Uncharted and Arkam Asylum. Ubisoft have improved upon everything that was bad about the first game!!!
  11. thebigbusser
    Nov 24, 2010
    10
    This is the best game I have played on the current generation systems, hands down. The story kept me going, the side quests were awesome, and the main story itself blew me away. I can't say enough great things about this perfect game, so I'm going to stop here.
  12. ComedyKing20934
    Dec 18, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I felt like the game had okay graphics, not enough of a free fight like bman arkham city, glitches left and right, it also bugged me that when enemies died, they did a body jump, they like twitched or something, but still, its fun for how sneaky you can be, the details are spot on, and the more detailed costumes made it worth its price… Expand
  13. watithink123
    May 13, 2013
    9
    Assassin's Creed 1 was such a s**t game and really had no fun with it. Assassin's Creed 2 on the other hand improve with everything about the game in my opinion, the best sequel comeback in gaming! Ezio was a awesome chracter and was way better then Altar. Story is beautiful and very gripping. Gameplay has improved. Side missions are great and no doing the exact same thing here(unlike theAssassin's Creed 1 was such a s**t game and really had no fun with it. Assassin's Creed 2 on the other hand improve with everything about the game in my opinion, the best sequel comeback in gaming! Ezio was a awesome chracter and was way better then Altar. Story is beautiful and very gripping. Gameplay has improved. Side missions are great and no doing the exact same thing here(unlike the first game)! Overall a brilliant game and Ubisoft will never make another assassins creed like this again! Assassin's Creed 2 9.5/10… Expand
  14. LilD
    Jul 24, 2012
    10
    Any score below a 7 is absolutely asinine. The improvement is so substantial from the first that I wondered if this was even made by the same company. The environments are awesome, story is epic, main character really grows on you, and stealth kills have never been so much fun. This is tied for one of my favorite games this gen. So far, it blows the other AC games out of the water. CallingAny score below a 7 is absolutely asinine. The improvement is so substantial from the first that I wondered if this was even made by the same company. The environments are awesome, story is epic, main character really grows on you, and stealth kills have never been so much fun. This is tied for one of my favorite games this gen. So far, it blows the other AC games out of the water. Calling it a GTA clone is absolutely absurd and one critic review said that they were promised so much more. Are you on crystal meth?… Expand
  15. Zillmerian
    Apr 21, 2013
    9
    A pretty fun open world game, that captures the look and feel of the Italian rennaisance period amazingly. It really has an amazing atmosphere as you walk around the streets of Florence and Venice, not to mention the awesome aerial views from the top of towers dotted throughout the game. The gameplay itself is also fun, with fairly easy controls, climbing abilities and fight capabilties.A pretty fun open world game, that captures the look and feel of the Italian rennaisance period amazingly. It really has an amazing atmosphere as you walk around the streets of Florence and Venice, not to mention the awesome aerial views from the top of towers dotted throughout the game. The gameplay itself is also fun, with fairly easy controls, climbing abilities and fight capabilties. Actually, if anything the fighting in this game is way too easy....never once did I ever worry about dying, because it was pretty simple to block and counter attack most enemies. This is one part of the game which I thought could have been done better. But the rest was well designed, including fast travel, climbing, running etc. The puzzles throughout the game also balance between fun and difficult very well, and there wasn't too many times when it was impossible to solve. I would probably say the game was a little bit too long as well, as by the end of it, I felt like I had started to repeat missions and there weren't too many more unique challenges. The final "boss" scene was also way too easy and I felt was an anti-climax (even despite the strange ending sequence) for all the build up and fun I had had playing the game up until that point. Still a great game though, and has aged pretty well.… Expand
  16. WolfenMcGunz
    Aug 6, 2013
    7
    I'll start by stating that this game has some fun moments, and has a lot to explore which makes it fun at times but soon after playing a little while; it gets repetitious and a little boring. I did not like the main character as I didn't like his irresponsible and womanizing attitude, so it was hard for me to care about the story at all.

    The AC series as a whole os overrated and just    I'll start by stating that this game has some fun moments, and has a lot to explore which makes it fun at times but soon after playing a little while; it gets repetitious and a little boring. I did not like the main character as I didn't like his irresponsible and womanizing attitude, so it was hard for me to care about the story at all.

    The AC series as a whole os overrated and just meh at times...    … Expand
  17. jelikey
    Sep 8, 2015
    8
    this game is well-made open-world game. i immersed in the Rome that time. but i sad it's combat system.
    it is lack of hitting-sense. storyline is interesting.
  18. PsychoShane
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    Assassin's Creed 2 is not a masterpiece because of graphics or gameplay, but by it's ability to make you feel like a grand adventurer in an Italy about to be reformed.
  19. Epik_Ninnja
    May 23, 2015
    8
    I can see why some people gave this game a 10/10. If I would have played it at launch, I might have given it a 9/10 myself. It was a real step up from the first game (not that I've played the first game as of this review). You'll play as Ezio Auditore as you assassinate targets, buy rennovations, etc. in multiple beautiful Italian locations. It works well but I'm afraid I must say it'sI can see why some people gave this game a 10/10. If I would have played it at launch, I might have given it a 9/10 myself. It was a real step up from the first game (not that I've played the first game as of this review). You'll play as Ezio Auditore as you assassinate targets, buy rennovations, etc. in multiple beautiful Italian locations. It works well but I'm afraid I must say it's not the best Assassin's Creed. There, the forbidden words have been spoken! It's still a great game, though (even today).… Expand
  20. pepelessar
    Jul 16, 2015
    10
    A MASTERPIECE. There's not any other game that combines plot, playability, innovation and graphics like ACII. And what can I say about the soundtrack? Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
  21. cwilliamhud
    Oct 22, 2015
    10
    With a smart and engaging story, huge open world, and hours upon hours of gameplay, Assassin's Creed 2 is by far the best adventure/action game there is.
  22. RedStarGamer275
    Aug 17, 2016
    9
    I thought Assassin's Creed II was a great game. Definitely better then the first game. ACII had smoother climbing mechanics and controls. Refined combat system. Great story. And adding in armor and weapons and the ability to upgrade them was just a brilliant idea. The characters were also well developed, especially Ezio. I love Ezio, Altair is an interesting good character but Ezio isI thought Assassin's Creed II was a great game. Definitely better then the first game. ACII had smoother climbing mechanics and controls. Refined combat system. Great story. And adding in armor and weapons and the ability to upgrade them was just a brilliant idea. The characters were also well developed, especially Ezio. I love Ezio, Altair is an interesting good character but Ezio is something else. I would say Assassin's Creed II is a must own for fans of the Assassin's Creed series.… Expand
  23. MartijnJ
    Mar 26, 2017
    10
    this is the best AC game ever made, good story, better combat, awesome quests, alot of things u can do, u can upgrade ur villa and more and more, this is definitly the best AC game ever made!
  24. Alio
    Mar 26, 2017
    10
    First time I played it in 2009 I just fell in love with the game the soundtrack is my favorite of all games that I've played the story the the controlling the moving system everything was just so good ,my favorite Assassins creed game
  25. PeeTiii
    Dec 29, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When it comes to a story, no other game that i have ever played can even come close to how incredible this game is. Ezio has to be one of the best protagonists in video game history, and he is at his most raw, cheeky and likeable. While also being at his most emotional, rash and naive. You experience Ezio's story from the moment he was born, then his teenage years, and then the telling moment of his families death, when you experience him develop into a man. A man driven solely by revenge and intent to find every single person responsible for his families murder and take them out one by one, and you follow his journey every step of the way aswell as his other journey, which is to find the Apple of eden, an ancient artifact the assassins have been hunting for centuries. On the journey you meet some of the best side characters in the series, arguably the best being Leonardo Da Vinci, who's partnership really does feel special. Then at the end of it all, after all ezio has gone through, killing every middle man and conspirator to the murder of his loved ones, he finally meets the man behind it all, Rodrigo borgia, the current Pope. But instead of killing him, spares his life, showing how much Ezio has truly developed from a boy to a man in his long journey.
    Now, when it comes to game mechanics, this game is superb. The free running, climbing and movement mechanics are smooth and rarely faulter. Also the combat is superb, for some people, the fact that you cant chain attacks leading to an easy wipe of a large group of enemies may be tedius. However i find it to balance out perfectly as it doesn't make the combat mindless and easy but actually forces you to think about your attacks and wait for the right time to counter, the only possible flaw of the combat is the limitations on different ways to kill enemies as it is usually only a few ways to kill certain guards.
    Overall, this game is as close to a perfect single player game that i have experienced.
    Unrivalled story-line, engaging characters, fun missions, emotional moments, funny moments, Fantastic environment, great modern world story integration with the animus story of Ezio. And finally an intriguing cliffhanger that leads perfectly, and directly onto its sequel, which is very close to this level of greatness.
    In short, it really is the greatest game i have ever played, and by quite some distance, and even after the possibly hundreds of times i have completed the story of this game, my opinion stays the same, and the games legacy will never be tarnished. 10/10 100/100 Perfection.    … Expand
  26. KaiK
    Nov 22, 2009
    7
    Assassin's Creed II Review: Assassin's Creed II is less then stellar. On the other hand, its not a bad title either. its has outdated looking graphics, clunky frustrating controls and some what repetitive. The main issues are the controls in Assassin's Creed II .The first Assassin's Creed although a lot more repetitive, had very good responsive controls. this one feels Assassin's Creed II Review: Assassin's Creed II is less then stellar. On the other hand, its not a bad title either. its has outdated looking graphics, clunky frustrating controls and some what repetitive. The main issues are the controls in Assassin's Creed II .The first Assassin's Creed although a lot more repetitive, had very good responsive controls. this one feels like you have weights tide to your feet. Jumping on roof tops,climbing and running is awful and clunky and feels more like a prison than freedom. The controls feel stubborn and unresponsive. The first game had sold controls, however this is a step backwards in terms of controls. The content is a good improvement from the last installment. More missions variety and cool characters and better weapon selection. However the lack of not being able to customize your controls to either AC1 or your own is a set back considering how awful the AC2 controls are. The story is darker in AC2 and the amount of moves you can do in combat is rewarding. The amount of historical detail is amazing and the history of Italy will certainly keep you interested. Some glitch's are present throughout the game, which will not take too much away from your overall experience. Overall its a decent title but not anywhere near triple A status, and it certainly doesn't deserve a 91%. Note: The PS3 version has many issues such as frame rate, ripping, and lag. If you plan on buying Assassin's Creed II buy it on PC or XBOX 360. Gameplay: 8.0 controls: 4.5 story: 9.0 content: 9.5 __ Overall: 7.5… Expand
  27. LukasM
    Dec 19, 2009
    10
    Amazing game. Just feels so real. My brother walked by as I was playing and he said that it looked so real that he thought it was a movie at first. (and he is a gamer as well) just a beautifully made game, really polished. great story and great scale. It makes you feel as if you are really in italy, and is much more exciting than the first AC. the replay value is WAY better than the other Amazing game. Just feels so real. My brother walked by as I was playing and he said that it looked so real that he thought it was a movie at first. (and he is a gamer as well) just a beautifully made game, really polished. great story and great scale. It makes you feel as if you are really in italy, and is much more exciting than the first AC. the replay value is WAY better than the other one, im going to play this one for months and months!… Expand
  28. niconline
    Oct 29, 2012
    9
    Ubisoft Montreal have proved the naysayers and doubters wrong and delivered an organic and truly immersive story, a vibrant world full of colour and personality, and a ton of fun. Once you pick up the pad, you won
  29. ArkonBlade
    Sep 3, 2010
    9
    a much much improvement over the over hyped borefest of the original game . pretty much every thing i thought they shoulda had in the original they put in its sequel . the missions feel abit more varried and less repetitive , theres more to do, you can do some real upgrading to your charicter now . every thing about this game just feels better.. except the controls ... i ran into somea much much improvement over the over hyped borefest of the original game . pretty much every thing i thought they shoulda had in the original they put in its sequel . the missions feel abit more varried and less repetitive , theres more to do, you can do some real upgrading to your charicter now . every thing about this game just feels better.. except the controls ... i ran into some issues with my charicter just doing stupid things out of the blue i could be standing on a roof not moving and then all of a sudden just fall to my death. it wasnt alot to where it really pissed me off but it happend enough that it annoyed me alittle. otherwise great game its the hype on the first one we expected the first one to be ... just only on the second.… Expand
  30. muzziklover
    Oct 10, 2011
    9
    Huge, huge, huge improvement over the first Assassin's Creed. Unlike the first one, 2 is far more varied and more fun. The open world free running platforming has more meaning to it than just being a "get from a to b" task as there is more to do than just assassinating people and the story is much, much better with more character interactions than the first. Ezio Auditore is a far betterHuge, huge, huge improvement over the first Assassin's Creed. Unlike the first one, 2 is far more varied and more fun. The open world free running platforming has more meaning to it than just being a "get from a to b" task as there is more to do than just assassinating people and the story is much, much better with more character interactions than the first. Ezio Auditore is a far better assassin than Altair from the first game because he's more explored than Altair. Overall, Assassin's Creed 2 is a complete revelation from Assassin's Creed, which I thought was really mediocre.… Expand
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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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