Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery – NDS – Review


I have to admit that when I heard an Assassin’s Creed game was going to be
released on the Nintendo DS I felt skeptical that it would be true to the series
or that it wouldn’t even come close to mimicking the stealth-action game.
Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery not only a game that does stealth and action well
but it is also the perfect companion piece to one of this year’s most excellent
sequels.


Considered an untold chapter in the Assassin’s Creed II storyline, Discovery’s
story features 15th-century assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze who
finds out that fellow assassins from his order have been taken captive by a
Spaniard who may be the very man who had his family killed. Ezio finds himself
traveling to Barcelona, Spain to discover who this Spaniard is and why he’s tied
to a mystery that involves the discovery of the New World.


While not covering the story behind Desmond Miles or the sci-fi Animus
technology that – like the console games – offers a virtual or holographic
tutorial, the game drops you into Venice, Italy where you are given tasks that
will lead you to Spain. The game might have a side-scrolling 2D appearance but
it still follows the Assassin’s Creed stealth and sword fighting action as well
and does it rather good.

The levels are
actually bite-sized but moves at a fast pace as Ezio performs a number of tasks
set before him by contacts within his order as well as other characters he
meets. While each level in the game is short, there are checkpoints and many of
the missions require the use of stealth. For example, in one level you are asked
to use stealth to sneak into a building without being spotted by the many guards
in the area. If you’re spotted more than three times you will have to start from
the last checkpoint.

Of course, there
are times when a good blade will get you through a situation and much like the
console games you can block and counterattack just as well as on the console
games. You can also perform Stealth Kills by sneaking up behind an unsuspecting
enemy and take them down with Ezio’s blades. You can also pull an enemy off the
roof, although this often causes a commotion down below. It’s great to see so
many moves available to Ezio in this handheld game.


As far as the missions are concerned, they often have you zipping through the
environments quickly in an almost Sonic the Hedgehog-like fashion. There are
even ramps for Ezio to really fly through the air. The game even tips its hat to
the Prince of Persia games, adding poles you can swing on to reach the next
platform. These are all handled well, especially in moments when you are being
chased by numerous guards and archers shooting arrows at you.

There are a few
problems but none of them really hinders the game much. Stealth kills can often
be activated without often being too close to an enemy at some points in the
game but, as I said, this never gets in the way of enjoying a good stealth kill.
Really, my only major gripe with the game is that it is over far too quickly.


On the graphics front, Discovery is also a very impressive-looking game on the
DS. The backgrounds look quite stunning with onlookers recoiling in horror as
you slay a guard in front of them and the beautiful edifices of Spain and Italy
are well represented. The character models do look good, especially Ezio as he
pulls off a stealth kill.

There’s also a
great soundtrack to go with the good visuals and it plays throughout the game in
a cycle but you won’t really mind it at all. On top of that, there’s the voice
acting in the game that is actually handled well and the sound effects are quite
detailed so you really should play this game with the sound up or with
earphones.


Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery for the Nintendo DS is one of those pleasant
surprises that manage to capture the spirit of the Assassin’s Creed series.
While a bit on the short side, the game’s fast-paced action and bite-sized
missions will keep you well entertained and impressed with its ability to tell a
good story true to the series. If you love the console game, you will absolutely
love this portable version.



Review Scoring Details for Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery



Gameplay: 8.0


Experience the missions that will lead Ezio to the main mission seen in on the
console version of Assassin’s Creed II. You’ll be playing through Venice and
even Barcelona in 2D fashion as you use stealth, acrobatics and even stealth
kills to carry out your missions. There are plenty of high-speed chases and
action as well.


Graphics: 8.5


Discovery

is a visually impressive DS game that does a marvelous job of making the action
look good, the characters stand out and the backgrounds look true to the locale
and time period.



Sound: 9.0


Interestingly enough, the game features a gorgeous soundtrack that feels it was
lifted straight from the console game and there’s some great voice acting in the
game as well. I highly recommend playing this one with earphones.



Difficulty: Easy/Medium


Some of the stealth missions can be a bit tricky but the real challenge comes
from going up against the Halberd Guards or the knights you meet later in the
game.



Concept: 8.0


Aside from the fact that the game’s story links up with the console version’s
story, Ezio’s moves and stealth kills are well represented even as a
side-scrolling game. There are plenty of short yet fun missions and Nintendo DSi
users can even plaster their likeness on the Wanted posters you get to collect.



Overall: 8.0


An impressive game true to the series, Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery is
actually an entertaining title that makes the best companion to the console
version. That said, the game is far from perfect but it’s easy to look past the
flaws when the game is too fun to even want to put down. If you bought
Assassin’s Creed II then you really must buy Discovery.