The "What are you playing?" topic.

**frogbeastegg** · 11-19-2009, 19:17

I've started Assassin's Creed II. It's very good, very much Assassin's Creed 1 minus the worst flaws. Lots more variety, lots more freedom, and the plot is building strongly on the ending of the first game. I'm dawdling around Florence hunting treasure, doing side quests, buying equipment, and enjoying the scenary. Now and then I return to my villa and place some new expansions so it brings in more money for me.

Surprisingly the game's quite funny too. Ezio's uncle is called Mario. Guess what he said when he met his nephew? That's right, "It's-a me, Mario!". The manual is packed full of sly digs at the things Ubisoft know they got wrong last time, little character notes from Lucy which demand fixes to 'bugs' with the animus in order to get rid of effects like dying when you fall in water and the visual glitching effect on the HUD.

**Monk** · 11-19-2009, 19:23

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

I've started Assassin's Creed II. It's very good, very much Assassin's Creed 1 minus the worst flaws. Lots more variety, lots more freedom, and the plot is building strongly on the ending of the first game. I'm dawdling around Florence hunting treasure, doing side quests, buying equipment, and enjoying the scenary. Now and then I return to my villa and place some new expansions so it brings in more money for me.

Surprisingly the game's quite funny too. Ezio's uncle is called Mario. Guess what he said when he met his nephew? That's right, "It's-a me, Mario!". The manual is packed full of sly digs at the things Ubisoft know they got wrong last time, little character notes from Lucy which demand fixes to 'bugs' with the animus in order to get rid of effects like dying when you fall in water and the visual glitching effect on the HUD.

Argh! That sounds amazing. I loved the first, and from what I am hearing (from here and other palces) the second is even better. Why must the PC version be delayed? Why!

Currently: Dragon Age is still seeing attention as is the new addition to my library Left 4 Dead 2. I'm also considering giving Mass Effect another go, I still haven't redone a canonical play-through since I lost my 360 last month.

**frogbeastegg** · 11-19-2009, 20:04

Originally Posted by Monk

Argh! That sounds amazing. I loved the first, and from what I am hearing (from here and other palces) the second is even better. Why must the PC version be delayed? Why!

Wasn't the PC port of the first game meant to be dreadful? I hope for your sake the second is better.

If you liked the first you will love the second. It's enough of an improvement that people who didn't like the first might enjoy AC2. Amazingly it retrospectively makes the first game better by explaining a bit more background, and builds the crumbly story into something much more robust. I would like to replay the first game in light of what I have learned in the sequel's opening hours, I'd see it with new eyes. This is going to be a trilogy in the truest sense of the story-telling word.

I have to add a word of praise for the voice work too. The first game had quality voice acting and the second is no different. All of the major characters are voiced by the same people. The Italians in Ezio’s time all speak with what sounds like a decent accent, and frequently characters will break into fluent Italian for several sentences. There’s also an option to play with all of the dialogue in Italian with English subtitles. Unfortunately this affects the modern day sections as well.

They have fixed all of the issues I can remember having with the first game except the madman/beggar character who homed in on you, got in your way and bothered you endlessly. This time it's a minstrel who sings in your face. I hates him with the power of a thousand fiery suns, oh yes I does.

Thus far I have found only three niggles. Two of those might resolve themselves with further play as I become more accustomed to the set up. The first is eagle view; this time around it makes the entire screen dark and cloudy except for enemies, targets and objectives. It's impossible to see where you're going so toggling it on to stalk your prey is not helpful.

The second is the health system; Ezio does not regenerate health. On the one hand that's good as it makes chases tense, on the other it's a nuisance when he doesn't land a jump as you want and you take a long fall. Having to plod off to spend money on healing disrupts the flow. As doctors are everywhere and you can carry a small number of health potions it's more of a chore than a limitation. There are some potion capacity upgrades for sale so once I pick those up and stop hording my money to spend on income increasers it won't be so bothersome.

The third is the new notoriety system. So I picked some pockets and no one noticed I did it yet I instantly gain notoriety? And because I climbed a building? And because I killed a single guard where no one could see or even find his body? Then to get rid of it I have to tear down posters located at numerous locations around the city. More chores, and a limitation on doing fun stuff that doesn't always make sense. The points aren't applied evenly either; sometimes I gain points for climbing and others I don't. Usually I don't gain points if it's a busy area, backwards as that seems. I am probably doing something wrong.

I do miss Altair's illogical 'hold A while walking to look inconspicuous' ability. Sneaking up on guards and setting up fun stealth kills is so much harder without it.

Originally Posted by Xiahou

They're (inexplicably) going to be releasing a DSi XL. Apparently, it has a larger screen and a wider viewing angle to make it easier for others to look on. I say "who cares?" I don't see any reason to buy it....

The XL isn't aimed at healthy young things like ourselves. There's a huge DS market for older people in Japan. The console's mainly intended for them, to make it easier for them to see the screen and make stylus use a bit more forgiving. I suppose it's also good for people with naturally bad eyesight, or who have difficulty problems with their hands or fine coordination.

I don't know if we will see the DS XL in the West. It's possible, there are a lot of older people with DSs here too thanks to titles like brain training.

**Monk** · 11-19-2009, 20:59

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

Wasn't the PC port of the first game meant to be dreadful? I hope for your sake the second is better.

I haven't played the PC port of the firstl, but I heard both good and bad things about it just like the original product. It's rare that a game comes along that is so polarizing.

**Xiahou** · 11-20-2009, 00:28

Originally Posted by frogbeastegg

The XL isn't aimed at healthy young things like ourselves. There's a huge DS market for older people in Japan. The console's mainly intended for them, to make it easier for them to see the screen and make stylus use a bit more forgiving. I suppose it's also good for people with naturally bad eyesight, or who have difficulty problems with their hands or fine coordination.

Yeah, I heard and somewhat understood that explanation. What I remain skeptical about is their group play claims.

In his financial results briefing, Satoru Iwata revealed another purpose for the jumbo system: playing with crowds. "Nintendo DSi LL features not only bigger monitor screens," Iwata said, "but an improved view angle on the screens to make it the first portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer."

He envisions the DSi XL as allowing for a "new play style where those who are surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the game play."

I don't know if we will see the DS XL in the West. It's possible, there are a lot of older people with DSs here too thanks to titles like brain training.

In America, it's slated for a Q1 2010 release. I have owned all 3 DS iterations, but I think I'll pass on this one. A bigger screen just means blockier graphics, since the resolution won't actually change. And a wider viewing angle seems pointless, despite their marketing.

**CountArach** · 11-20-2009, 01:20

Back to playing EUIII until HistWar: Les Grognards releases its demo.

**pevergreen** · 11-20-2009, 02:17

L4D2, still attempting to do the Halo series (sooo boooring, midway through Halo 2) just so I can say I've done it, DDO. Thats the main things.

**naut** · 11-20-2009, 04:51

Originally Posted by pevergreen

(sooo boooring, midway through Halo 2)

Why? Do something fun instead.

**Prussian to the Iron** · 11-20-2009, 15:07

Originally Posted by pevergreen

still attempting to do the Halo series (sooo boooring, midway through Halo 2) just so I can say I've done it, DDO. Thats the main things.

boring? Halo 3 yeah, but Halo 2 was the best campaign!

off course I was infected when i was like 8 or 9, so that probably makes it better.

i still occasionally play halo 1 PC online. still a huge community (oddly enough, larger than Halo 2 vistas community!!

)