Assassin's Creed 2 DLC Packs Review
Written by Anchorman Mazda Friday, 19 February 2010 18:16
Welcome back folks. With the last of the two additional game expansions released for Assassin's Creed 2, I thought it would be fitting to do a quick review on them both to give gamers a second opinion on them before purchasing.
Second Pack - Bonfire of the Vanities + Secret Templar Locations
This one takes Ezio back to Florence, chasing after 'the mad monk' Savonarola after he has used the Apple to control the minds of people across the district. Without going into a recap since its already available on the net with a quick search, this expansion takes place across the current districts in Florence and also a new area to the south of the city (which was not accessible before).
Compared to the first DLC pack, this one is a step better. Of course, it’s not spectacular but it must be noted, this is simply a filler and follows the same sort of structure as the rest of the game. It’s not as repetitive though and there will be a few challenging tasks which you'll need to take slowly otherwise it’s a quick desynchronisation. As the title also suggests, there is the option to download three templar locations (which are like the assassination tombs in the base game) and those provide about 10-15 minutes of extra gameplay each, but again, it’s nothing special and nothing unique.
On the Marketplace, there is the option to download either just Sequence 13, or Sequence 13 AND the templar locations - but not the templar locations on their own. Do note, if you have the Black edition of the game, you will have the templar locations already, and White edition owners will have one of them already.
Verdict: There are no Achievements with this pack, which was disappointing and quite surprising given the uproar from gamers after the first pack left them out too. That said, for those gamers who don't own any special edition versions of the game, I'd recommend getting this DLC pack with the templar locations together - for just 560 Microsoft Points, it isn't too expensive. For those with the special editions (Black edition owners especially) just grab the pack offering Sequence 13 only. Don't expect anything grand from this expansion, its only an hour and a half long - or two hours if you take your time, but for less than 600 Microsoft Points, its reasonably priced for the content at hand.
First Pack - Battle of Flori
This is the expansion for Assassin's Creed 2 completing Sequence 12 from Ezio's memory. It sees you protecting Flori and Sforza castle from the Orsi brothers. In all honesty, this DLC pack is nothing special. I found it rather boring when it came to the combat, which basically involved you battling groups of guards time and time again, while having to ensure that assassin Machiavelli and Caterina don't die themselves from combat.
Verdict: The Battle of Flori provides gamers with an hour or so of gameplay, but even though its less than 400 Microsoft Points to download, I'd suggest gamers gave this one a miss unless they are fans of the franchise or want to chase that 100% completion statistic in the game. It’s somewhat repetitive and I didn't find it that great to be honest. There are no added Achievements either, but I hardly think it makes a difference.
See, that confuses me. Why make the side-stuff you sort of just get done for the sake of it replayable - but not the main game? Ubisoft REALLY should have fixed that up by now .... its been long enough.
Story missions is of course, self explanatory, but side missions? How generic and boring to replay.
Actually both enjoyed and was extremely frustrated at the #13 DLC. A great change-up from the combat-oriented #12 DLC, but that boat merchant really gave me the shits!!
Thought the end so-called "mission" was an anticlimax but for 320 MSpoints and a couple of hours of playtime it was pretty good.On another note, finally worked out why some of my DNA strand sections (like the "races" heading) still had the hollow "incomplete" boxes above 'em, even though I'd done everything already. Seems you can replay the tombs, assassination assignments and side-missions by selecting them, then choosing the replay option. Unfortunately the same can't be done for the story missions though...
Still, kinda negates the point (for some people) to get the special editions, if you can just buy the "exclusive" content as a DLC...
EDIT: Also wanted to add, if you guys like, even a comment at the end of the article helps I think get the piece publicity. It might not be an approval, but small steps start long journeys.
Good write up btw.
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