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But I still consider the second game to be the masterpiece. Let me make clear why that is- by comparing them to the pre- and sequel.
Assassin's Creed has always been a game with its strongest points being the indescribably marvelous atmosphere.
The first game began to tell the thrilling story of Desmond Miles and his ability to synchronize with his Assassin ancestors.
Getting around in Israel in 1191 AD as Altaïr has been a beautiful experience and to keep it real all the historical aspects were correctly included.
The gameplay was also a lot of fun but still were there small setbacks that became more and more frustrating.
That's what AC2 managed to greatly improve. As Desmond's story continues and one also starts to take part in the epic story of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, the diversity of the game is on a whole new level.
The controls and abilities are now more than adequate and let you master situations with regard to one's own doings.
The game provides the features of an open world game and let's the player explore the world to his heart's content. It also tries to offer a lot of varying missions with the utmost effort.
Nonetheless special missions are way too scarce and short, as also in the sequel.
You are accompanying Ezio throughout a vast Italy which is realistically designed and especially cities like Venice and Florence are met so well that you sometimes just play for the purpose of enjoying the scenery.
That brings me to the important point of looks.
AC1 didn't look bad at all, but Assassin's Creed 2 of course looked way better.
When comparing AC2 and AC Brotherhood I'm conflicted a bit.
Brotherhood's setting of Rome looks so gorgeous that it even surpasses the other cities of Italy but in return I think some of the characters looked more authentic in the second part. And that's not because they were younger.
So Brotherhood probably beats AC2 in the aspects of graphics since that's what a sequel is supposed to do, but still I find them more convincing in 2.
To attain the wanted ambiance there's needed more than just good graphics though.
Firstly it's about well-created personalities. That applies for all three games which all have their own unique characters that also evolve the more time passes.
Still did I empathise the most with the people in Assassin's Creed 2. Their stories had so many twists and turns, passion for detail and actions so very understandable. It can be seen that Ubisoft really spent a lot of work on this.
While AC1 still has too little focus on the characters, in Brotherhood the whole story is rushed too much. Which makes AC2 the most complete one.
Secondly no mood in a video game can be created without music.
Also something that Jesper Kyd has greatly succeeded with in every part.
Of course they are all different so that they match perfectly to their environment.
And yet, the Soundtrack belonging to AC2 has impressed me the most because it is so recognizable, perfectly adjusted to the setting and never getting old.
A lot of themes were even used in AC: Brotherhood again.
So the reasons why I consider Assassin's Creed 2 the best out of the series are that it is able to completely captivate me and not tiring me even after finishing it over 3 times.
Ingenious setting, characters, music and story line let one experience it almost like film (if one cherishes such things in games).
It's got an inspiring influence on me and is one of my absolute favourites.
In my eyes it's a indispensable experience.
(I do not recommend it to people who hated/disliked the first game or are totally not into 3rd person/open-world/stealth though)
10/10
