PG 1 | PG 2

A Sandbox built on blood
Fallowing a similar structure as the previous 'Assassin' titles you can progress in your own time. The sandbox style is influenced from other open-world titles with a map filled with markers with a lot of main and side-quests to attempt. Adding a layer of difficulty to the game are objectives set in place for every mission that will have completest getting down and dirty with some of the trickier sections of the game. The main narrative seems brushed aside as Ezio has to deal with an overwhelming amount of details as he takes back control of Rome. Yet, even with freedom to play the game, however you wish, I found myself pushing through 'Brotherhood' quicker than the previous editions. It wasn't a sense of urgency, more like a compulsive habit. For a sandbox game, Brotherhood grabs you good and it doesn't let go until Ezio has his revenge.

The Brotherhood
New to 'Assassin's Creed'is the whole "Brotherhood" feature that lets you recruit new members to the Assassin's guild. These Assassin's can be called in at a moments notice to aid Ezio in his missions, which is very useful for taking out guards on far away rooftop posts. These Assassin's can be upgraded through experience points they earn via the in-game missions with Ezio or by sending them away to other parts of the land to do missions. Reminiscent of an RPG, 'Assassin's Creed' feel more global, but it's taking the series in a different direction then some of the core gamers might like. Additionally, having the ability to call up these fellow Assassin's makes the other "helpers" from the first two games irrelevant. Not once in my adventure did I feel the need to hire any of the three groups making the game extremely unbalanced and too easy once you gain this feature. In the future I would love to see this feature embellished somehow, although it will be tricky to balance the game. It's not like the series was ever super tough from the start, but 'Brotherhood' is the easiest one out of them all.

Stepping in the right direction?
One thing that 'Assassin's Creed' is drifting away from are tight "assassinations," an important ingredient to the original games success. This sensation of not knowing if you would live or die hasn't been recreated in the series yet, and this is more evident in Brotherhood. If you've read our 'Assassin's Creed II' review you probably already know I'm one of those rare 'AC1' fans who still misses the original vibe. I can't expect the series to stay the same, but it is clear that 'The Creed' is amalgamating into several areas while it struggles to find its identity. One minute it feels like I'm playing a hybrid action-RPG like 'Fable' then other times Brotherhood feels like 'Sim-City Rome.' I don't want to knock Ubisoft's drive to innovate (which they are always excel at) it just a little unfocused.

'Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood' expands the dynamic lore of the series by stepping back in the shoes of Italy's own Dark Knight, Ezio Auditore. While Brotherhood strays farther away from foundation of the original 'Assassin's Creed,' it still has the ability to hold your interest and lock you into an engaging story. Even if some of the mystique is lost, Brotherhood is an excellent game, but it's sadly the weakest out of the bunch. As Ubisoft dips its hand into amalgamating the “Assassin's” experience, the future seems as foggy as the constant developing tale between the Assassin's and Templars. Curiously this only makes “Assassin's 3' more intriguing. The team has the talent, let's just hope they don't loose the focus.

Awesome atmosphere and eye for detail Ladies, Ezio has returned Assassin's multiplayer really works Develops the plot line further, superb storytelling Still innovating, lots of new features Rome is one impressive sandbox, outstanding Brotherhood lost mystique and tension of the original Navigating the world is oddly more frustrating than before If you didn't care for Ezio, sorry about your luck Feels a little like “Been there, Done that” Unfocused, too divided in its gameplay The new recruit feature makes the game too easy Quote: "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood expands the dynamic lore of the series by stepping back in the shoes of Italy's own Dark Knight, Ezio Auditore. While Brotherhood strays farther away from foundation of the original 'Assassin's Creed,' it still has the ability to hold your interest and lock you into an engaging story." Reviewed by Downtown Jimmy | 12.20.10

Similar Games: Assassin's Creed: Revelations (8.0) | Assassin's Creed (9.5) | Assassin's Creed II (9.8)