Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Hey there folks, Trey here with my review of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood picks up exactly where the Assassin's Creed 2 left off. You follow Desmond living through his ancestor's memories as an older more confident Ezio Auditore de Firenze, along with his brotherhood of assassins, attempts to liberate Rome from the hands of the corrupt Borgia family.

The entire game, with the exception of a few side-missions for an old friend, takes place in Rome. Although Rome may not have the sparkling canals of Venice or the sky-piercing cathedrals of Florence it has gritty feel while in the city that makes assassinations really feel like they should take place here. Rome is very large and many famous landmarks are present (and for purchase) such as the Roman Forum, the Vatican and the Coliseum. 
The game is a direct followup to Assassin's Creed 2, that being said there aren't many changes in graphic design or gameplay mechanics. The game is still just as beautiful, with all of Rome sprawled out before you as Ezio gazes down at his next unfortunate victim. The voice acting is top quality, just be sure to turn on the subtitles if you would like to udnerstand the Englitalian that is spoken throughout. Nolan North, everyone's favorite video-game voice actor, reprises his role as Desmond. The game mechanics are still solid for the most part. Free-running and climbing up buildings is still simple and natural feeling. In addition to all the gadgets in the first game you have a few more that make you almost feel sorry for your intended targets. The only downfall in the mechanics department, and this is the downfall for many 3rd person games, is the camera and more specifically the targeting mechanism. So many times while attempting to shoot my target I would end up shooting his bodyguard instead, beginning a cat-and-mouse chase through the streets of Rome that was completely unnecessary. However this small problem is my only qualm in this entire game, and that's saying something.
New to Brotherhood is the institution of the recruit system. As you decrease Borgia influence in Rome you can begin to recruit citizens to your cause. You then send your recruits on missions and they increase in level and power as they achieve success under your tutelage. Along with sending your fledglings on missions you can also call for their aid on missions of your own. I was running along the roofs of Rome and I saw a guard in the distance who was not going to be happy of my presence on his rooftop. With the simple press of a button one of my dear recruits sprang out of a nearby terrace and ended his miserable existence, allowing me to continue unhindered. Be careful though, for when you lose a recruit they are gone for good...complete with mourning cut-scene.
Finally Brotherhood brings with it the first taste of Multiplayer in the assassin's world. However that is for another time and place, say, next week?
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a solid installment in the Abstergo/Assassin conflict that leaves the plot at another cliffhanger that ensures millions of units sold for Assassin's Creed 3. With solid mechancis, visuals and audio you can't ask for much more out of a game. Myself and others will anxiously be waiting on Ubisoft to put out the next chapter in Desmond's epic saga.
Nerd Points: 9/10
Trey out