I'm finally starting to get over my disappointment with RE5's lackluster finale. I think it is because of all of the high profile sequels that are getting announced this year. Call me out if you want but I love a good sequel. This week, Ubisoft finally revealed the first teaser for Assassin's Creed 2.
The teaser does nothing more than hint at the oft rumored Venice setting by depicting several key pieces of art that seem to be drawn by DaVinci himself. Among the speculation, one can deduct that the stealth blade will make a return and that the "hero" will be taking to the sky with some sort of winged contraption. Finally, the trailer reveals a date, April 16, 2009, which is undoubtedly the date that Gameinformer will be revealing the details about the game. Check it out:
I have high hopes and expectations for AC2 because the original (in my opinion)set the standard so high. However there were some gripes I had with the original that MUST be addressed this time around:
1.) Mission variety- mix it up a bit Ubi! Give the assassination missions some real depth and allow players to approach the mission from many different angles. Do what you need to implement interactive environments and multiple opportunities to strike.
2.) Weapons & Combat- The stealth blade is awesome but I want more. Give us something besides another sword or throwing knife. There are so many ways to kill that have not been done very often in gaming! Give us some razor-wire or drawstring or something along those lines.
3.) Living, Breathing Environments- The setting is one of the stars of the show in the franchise. I'm sure the new time and locale will be interesting but work at populating it more with people and characters that you can truly interact with.
4.) New mechanic- Offer a new stealth or navigation mechanic. It seems like you might be on to something with the flying contraption but I will have to wait and see it for myself.
5.) Story- Last but not least, I need to comment on the story. I LOVED the twist in AC; it was probably my favorite sci-fi story since the Matrix but for the love of god, give it some direction. Give us some closure this time and leave us wanting a truly epic finale. Too many people complained about the story not making any sense at the end. While I will stand by my Matrix comparison, I will also say that the original felt like you were watching the Matrix, only to have it cut off in the middle.
So those are my hopes, what do you want in the next AC? We all have to wait another week for the details but that gives us a whole week to begin speculation! Let the comments begin.
-Nick
13 comments:
6.) remove the annoying beggars who never EVER leave you alone, unless you push them, and then you get attacked by guards
7.) Incentive to play the game after you finish the main storyline. Those glorified flag fetch quests need to die off and be replaced with something more fruitful like side missions and unlockables.
Did anyone use the webcam projector thing? wats on it?
I agree with Nick's points on what they need to improve, but there are some specific things within those points I'd really like to see them add.
The actual assassinations in AC weren't that bad, hell, I'd say most were enjoyable and interesting in design. But the 'investigation' parts became tedious before you even got to Damascus. Pickpocketing, interrogating, eavedropping, badass stuff like that, all made monotonous. Same goes for those informers whose only objects were either 'kill those dudes' or ' Get me some flags'. It's really a shame because the actual intel you got from doing these did genuinly give usefull stuff like the best place to strike or where guards would be positioned. Y'know, this is also the same with the climbing of towers or saving groups of beggars. There were way too many of those as well. If they aren't going to change these types of objectives, at least cut down on the quantity. I'd rather a shorter but much more impacting game than one with once cool concepts dragged on and beaten to death.
Hopefully this time we could have more structured missions and side objectives, like breaking into an assassinations targets chief of security's home, where the main objective is to take him out by some means that doesnt arouse suspicion (Poisioning drinks maybe?) and an optional task to collect scrolls that helps with the plot somehow. Or in interrogations they could add word options. Just little stuff and changes like that.
Building off of the sneaking idea, proper stealth gameplay would be great. You can't even crouch in AC, and when hanging from a wall to avoid a Guards eyesight he would just walk up to you and say "Move along, you're not suppose to be here". I want stuff like climbing out of windows, crouch under tables, hiding on top of ceilings etc. this all sounds very Splinter Cell like (Which Ubi also make) and doesnt exactly go with the 'crowd stealth' of the first game, but it would still be awesome to mix the old with new.
Speaking of crowd stealth, that needs some improving as well. Altairs praying animation was so silly at times. Having him look at on whats for sale in a market stand or just turning his head from a soldier would add more sensible variety.
I want to see the crossbow return. Balance it so it doesnt become overpowered, like making it a One hit kill but with limited ammo and stopping you from moving and shooting (Somewhat like RE4/5). Can't think of any other weapons at the moment, but stealth or evading equipment would be good, like some sort of medieval stun powder/grenades.
If there's one reason why I haven't sold AC back to blockbusters, its because of the free running. The chases are arguably where the game shines at its brightest. There's no doubt that they'll keep it, but adding some extra moves like sliding on rooftops, under wooden fences or jumping up across the sides in a deadend alley to get over the wall would make me purchase AC2 no matter how shitty everything else would turn out.
Story presentation needs MAJOR improvement. Like what Nick said, I enjoyed the sci-fi and historical blending. It was an interesting change and has so much potential. But what always pisses me off is the so called unskippable in game cutscenes. 'Wow, we can still move Altair around in circles and change the camera to bad angles. Innovated!". Either give use well produced cutscenes or learn from Valve on how to do proper in game story telling.
For replay value give us an incentive to go back and play the game again. Unlockable costumes, cheats, items, modes, galleries and behind the scenes videos. Achievements ands Trophies are the lazy devs way of lengthening a game.
Thats all my nitpicking and unlikely but possible hopes for AC2 in a nice, huge ass and probably going to be unread comment. If they do make all these additions and changes I will be extremely pleased. The game has incredible potential, so to see them waste it would be upsetting.
This game looks like it has so much potential. The flying contraption looks interesting, as well as the hidden blade. Im hoping they put more into the assassination missions, i thought they were a bit dull when it came to killing someone. I heard the lead character (i cant remember his name atm) will be able to swim in AC2, which a hell of a good thing haha
So much speculation went on during the epilogue after AC, where you saw a lot of writing on the wall, in japanese, and in code. Speculating another region to explore, im hoping its somewhere good.
Maybe Da Vinci makes a cameo in this game haha u never know, would make one hell of a mission haha Mission Objective: Assassinate Da Vinci, has a ring to it hahaha
I've lost too much faith in Ubisoft these past years, if they can't get this right I'm done with them.
Did you happen to see the secret thing? With the image you print out?
Here, check out this link
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/assassins-creed-2-teaser-site-launches-includes-severed-arm/
Man... I always loved UbiSoft's games. From the very beginning, like Planet of the Apes, Rayman and others. I was hoping to work with them but i gave up, i'll be joining Hoplon, because it's brazilian, and i have to help the brazilian game industry grow.
I loved the original assassins creed, and it makes me happy to see them making a new one. I agree they need to mix up the investigations a little bit but there isnt much they can do there. As for the weapons that nick wants to see added, its kinda hard to implement that, the sword was for defending yourself should you get caught and running away wasnt an option, the knives were for taking out guards who were to far away to reach but were a liability, and the stealth blade was for stealth kills on unsuspecting opponents, setting up traps and waiting like a booby trap is to haphazard for a skilled assassin, and as for razor wire, why would you want to choke someone to death when you can stab them in the neck with a blade that comes out of your arm? choking them gives them to much of a chance to fight back. As for the sneaking elements I like how assassins creed did it with the not being seen and blending in the crowd stealth and not the "Imma go hide under this dark table and hope the guard cant see me" it gave me the feeling of being a true assassin who you didnt see coming, no place was truely safe.
Long story short, it sounds like everyone is wanting Assassins Creed 2 to be more like Hitman and SplinterCell as opposed to it being what it truely is.
Oh my god, I love and hate you Nick. I was searching everywhere for AC2 info awhile back in hopes of finding something and here you found a trailer.
And Fabbit's words are exactly how I feel. They shouldn't change AC too much from what it was, but should add much more new content. Keep it away from Splinter Cell.
"I'm finally starting to get over my disappointment with RE5's lackluster finale."
I don't think lackluster is the word, hmmm, perhaps unimaginative? humdrum? Oh I know! lifeless! Get it?
"This week, Ubisoft finally revealed the first teaser for Assassin's Creed 2."
I'm not sure about that trailer, but I prefer the Altaïr was here trailer. Gives me goose bumps every time I watch it, here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JetlvOan6ko
"Give us some razor-wire or drawstring or something along those lines."
Now way dude, Altair is know for his "steel". Not his string. Razor wire? You've watch one too many gore movies, name me one movie or game where the main character was a knight or assassin and he used strings to kill. (anime dose not count)
"populating it more with people and characters that you can truly interact with."
I hope you don't mean to add more of those annoying beggars! >:(
"Give us some closure this time and leave us wanting a truly epic finale."
I'm sure plenty of people said the same thing about Halo 3, its called leaving an opening for a sequel. When a game doesn't make sense, just at the end, it means they plan on making a second. (plans can change though)
"what do you want in the next AC?"
I still need to finish the first, I refuse to end the game before I get every last flag and all the side quests.
I am so frickin' pumped for this game. :D
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