Lisa's First Impressions
Well, I went and picked up my copy this morning so naturally I played all day. I'll just keep it general and not post any spoilers!
I was surprised by how emotional I was when I started up the game. It felt so good to be reunited with Ezio again, like meeting up with an old friend. Then, a little bit into the game (the first point where you can play as Desmond), there were some things that just seemed so sad to me. It sure was unexpected that I would be so strongly affected.
The "look" of the game is much more reminiscent of AC1; it feels as if it's more influenced by the visual style in that game than AC2 was. I like it a lot. The clouds overhead look exactly like they do in all those Renaissance paintings; awesome visual detail!
Running around in Rome is phenomenomally wonderful. It's really varied and interesting to look at.
I don't remember if anyone mentioned this, but when you open a treasure chest, occasionally you'll get another item, which has no use except to sell for cash. So far, I've gotten tomatoes, nutmeg, alum, wool and a jar of leeches. That's kind of a nice addition. It's a good bet that we'll still end up with too much money, but OTOH there is so much more to spend it on. So I think it's going to work.
I was really worried about the combat; I was afraid it would be too hard and get too frustrating for me (I'm not exactly the most skilled gamer around, to put it politely ha ha). But it hasn't been too bad. The hidden blade counter-kill window is definitely bigger, which helps duffers like me. The guards do more damage, but to balance it out, Ezio seems a bit more lethal as well;the regular guards can be dispatched pretty quickly, although the Agiles and the Brutes are more difficult than in AC2. I'm still figuring out how to deal with the attacking guard on horseback.
The new kill animations are fabulous, dahling!
So far, the biggest problem has been the camera. It was clunky and irritating in spots. I even got fairly woozy from it in the first Assassin Tomb Redux. It wasn't horrible; maybe a bit worse than AC2's camera movement. I think I'll be able to live with it.
All in all, I've had a blast so far. 
I really want to hear everyone else's first impressions too!
I got the game at lunch today. It is AMAZING. It's so much better, gameplay wise and visually wise than any other AC game I've played. There are just so many improvements. The VR missions are really fun, it's fun to run around doing all the Side Stuff I possibly can before starting the main Memories (renovating every possible shop I can lay eyes on.) I love the Kick function in combat. I love the Killstreak system in combat, with the indicator above a guard actually FLASHING to show you they're about to hit you, so you can aim at them, or wait for a counter kill to continue your streak. The hidden blade streaks look the coolest, where Ezio just runs behind the guy and finishes him. Oh man.
The new item system that you get in chests is SO COOL. I was walking past the target that killed some poor fellow's wife, and I saw a chest. So I opened it, and I got some weird item + florins. I was like "What the hell is (ITEM NAME HERE)?"
I just love everything about the game. It's like all the good of ACII mixed with all the good of AC1, to create a nice ACGoodness Pie. Tasty.
Assassinating from horses is awesome.
Using the Hidden Gun to make Horse-riding guards fall off and die is SO SATISFYING. Because Ezio aims so fast. Looting actually gives you a LOT OF STUFF now. Free-Roaming as Desmond (OH YES!), conversations between Lucy and Desmond (OH YES!), more Shaun (LOL, he's funny.), more Rebecca (She's awesome.)
THE MULTIPLAYER HAS A STORYLINE! AAAHH!!
How many video games have an actual story to their multiplayer.
Most games are just like "OK, go kill each other. Bye."
But nooo. Brotherhood treats you to this nice cinematic with Vidic pumping you up in the war against those pesky Assassins.
I love this game.
There are not enough hours in the day 
I don't remember if anyone mentioned this, but when you open a treasure chest, occasionally you'll get another item, which has no use except to sell for cash. So far, I've gotten tomatoes, nutmeg, alum, wool and a jar of leeches. That's kind of a nice addition. It's a good bet that we'll still end up with too much money, but OTOH there is so much more to spend it on. So I think it's going to work.
Here's a tip: Don't sell those items. You'll need them for shop quests, and they're a serious pain to try to get back if you sell them off.
I'm still figuring out how to deal with the attacking guard on horseback.
You can always shoot them off the horse (crossbow or pistol) but it can be tough to do so in tighter spaces. The game's main intended way for you to deal with it is to equip a medium or large weapon, unsheathe it and press and hold the attack button. You'll do a counter swipe that knocks the guy off his horse.
LisaMurphy wrote:
I don't remember if anyone mentioned this, but when you open a treasure chest, occasionally you'll get another item, which has no use except to sell for cash. So far, I've gotten tomatoes, nutmeg, alum, wool and a jar of leeches. That's kind of a nice addition. It's a good bet that we'll still end up with too much money, but OTOH there is so much more to spend it on. So I think it's going to work.Here's a tip: Don't sell those items. You'll need them for shop quests, and they're a serious pain to try to get back if you sell them off.
LisaMurphy wrote:
I'm still figuring out how to deal with the attacking guard on horseback.You can always shoot them off the horse (crossbow or pistol) but it can be tough to do so in tighter spaces. The game's main intended way for you to deal with it is to equip a medium or large weapon, unsheathe it and press and hold the attack button. You'll do a counter swipe that knocks the guy off his horse.
For the shop quests, how can I get those items back if I've sold them?
And thanks for the horse tip.
For the shop quests, how can I get those items back if I've sold them?
Chest and corpse drops are random, so you'll just have to wait until you find more. I was selling like crazy in the beginning too, and part of me knew I would regret it. 
I find the best way to get salable loot is to wander the big open countryside-esque areas of the city until you get attacked by thieves. Kill them and loot the corpses for lots of money and salable loot (but don't sell it, of course).
So far my first impressions is the Multiplayer.... I how innovative it is.... Tell you the truth, October's beta doesn't feel at all close to the real game (of course). Pretty much 9/10 maps definetly I thought were really good.
I'll probably won't start the campaign until this weekend when I have more time on my hands 
The funniest part is seeing someone you know is chasing you and just dropping a smoke bomb then Stunning* with a fist 
Also I do have alot of friends on PSN but I made room today, sooo feel free to add me... FyiByas 
Did you know if you have PSN the Platinum Trophy is called Julius Ceaser wonder if that has anything to do with the story hmmmm....
I seriously hope my copy arrives today (which is early for the UK). From what you've all said it sounds amazing
Lisa, I'm right there with you on the whole "air of sadness" thing.
At the end of ACII, I felt like Ezio's already-tragic story was finished -- he'd lost his family, but discovered his own purpose, getting revenge in the process. By the end of the game, he
And the implication was certainly that a somewhat-happy (or at least peaceful) life was in store for Ezio after all that killing on both sides -- Ezio had developed his family's town into prosperity, and Monteriggioni still exists today; the Assassin bloodline continues on, so at some future point Ezio must have had a child, and presumably married someone. Arch-enemy Rodrigo dies in 1503, just a few years after Ezio spares him. In his twilight years he'd be haunted by Minerva's speech (and would never learn what it meant), but he'd have his family, and would have peace, in a way.
I envisioned a quiet life in his quiet little town until Ezio's old age. So I didn't like the beginning of this game, story-wise, at all!
The multiplayer is much better than I expected. I was able to play at a friend's house last night. I enjoy playing as the Executioner and the Harlequin.
Since it was my friend's game, I wasn't able to get into the story very much. 
I will soon, though! (By the way, I finished 1st in 14 out of 16 multiplayer matches). 
The multiplayer is much better than I expected. I was able to play at a friend's house last night. I enjoy playing as the Executioner and the Harlequin.Since it was my friend's game, I wasn't able to get into the story very much.
Haha! Domination from THB already!
You folks are all so nice!
Many thanks for the tips on the horseback guard and selling items. There are so many things to do in the game it's just unbelievable.
Not as impressed with the music, sadly. The piece that plays during the usual running-around bits can get a bit screechy and grating. Camera still sort of headache-inducing with the way it swings around.
Minor quibbles, though. So far no glitches (1 freeze but minor). Just loving everything else.
Congrats, JoeyFogey! 
Good job.
I think after like you finish Sequence 2, you can buy Crossbows from Blacksmiths, and you can just loot bolts from bodies. The poison is actually really useful early game, when you don't have the double blade yet. You can kill 4 guards before they actually notice you to the point of attacking. Then loot your poison back.
I think after like you finish Sequence 2, you can buy Crossbows from Blacksmiths, and you can just loot bolts from bodies. The poison is actually really useful early game, when you don't have the double blade yet. You can kill 4 guards before they actually notice you to the point of attacking. Then loot your poison back.
And when you get the poison darts later, it's almost too powerful. You can distract/take out an entire group of guards (even two groups if they're close together) from afar and not draw any attention to yourself whatsoever. Have a target surrounded by goons? Poison dart one of them and they'll all crowd around him. Walk up behind the target and assassinate and walk away undetected.
I've noticed some glitchiness with the crossbow in relation to the attention it draws. I can take out a guy from a distance (or from a rooftop) and his buddies won't have a clue how he died (like throwing knives in AC1). But you go and kill a second or a third and they'll instantly detect you no matter which direction they're facing or how far away you are or even if you're several stories above them. Very annoying inconsistency.
People can tell by the angle which way the bolt came from. After a second or third shot they'll have more of an idea as to where you are. I find it extremely realistic and completely fair, although I fear this will become annoying by the time I start doing the Sharpshooter challenge.
People can tell by the angle which way the bolt came from. After a second or third shot they'll have more of an idea as to where you are. I find it extremely realistic and completely fair, although I fear this will become annoying by the time I start doing the Sharpshooter challenge.
No, that's not it. You can change positions and it's still the same thing. They are alerted immediately when you fire off a second or third bolt even if they can't see the target who is hit. There's nothing realistic about clairvoyance.
the multiplayer, akthough fun, it could use some more gametypes.
not to mention that 10 minutes per round is way too short
^ agree w/ Rob.
My fav part so far has to be when you leave the animus for the 1st time, and you're exploring the villa w/ lucy (: some funny stuff
Alright I just started on AC Brotherhood's Singleplayer and I gotta pretty damn epic
I thought the story of Ezio couldn't get more interesting but I was proven wrong.
I must admit going through the the first time with Desmond on platforming reminded me of Uncharted with Nathan Drake "Desmond+Nathan Drake=same voice actor" 
Wow the the colosseum is just very cool espically with the the nostalgia of music in the background. The enviroment to me is very realistic a combination of AC1 to AC2...
The music reminds me of AC Bloodlines on PSP
The combat is soo much different....I think this first time I actually died from a brute guard since AC1 with the raging Templars in thier metal helmets
Any tips for those brutes and Borgia leaders I found a way to just keep kicking them until they drop
The ending to this game is WTF?!?!?!
I won't spoil anything ._. its a bit sad
AC2 ending was WTF even Shaun Hastings agrees....
AC:B Ending is WTF, and im SURE Shaun will be WTF himself
A couple of the Cristina Memories are tinged with sadness too - particularly Last Rites, which is very poignant and respectful.
Is it just me
Desmond+Lucy = Nathan Drake+Elena Fisher
"Nolan North" same voice actor for Desmond and Nathan Drake
I have to say, Desmond+Lucy in my opinion is just.. I don't know how to say it.. BETTER than Elena + Nate.
It just seems more... I don't know LOL.
Fly Like an Eagle wrote:
People can tell by the angle which way the bolt came from. After a second or third shot they'll have more of an idea as to where you are. I find it extremely realistic and completely fair, although I fear this will become annoying by the time I start doing the Sharpshooter challenge.No, that's not it. You can change positions and it's still the same thing. They are alerted immediately when you fire off a second or third bolt even if they can't see the target who is hit. There's nothing realistic about clairvoyance.
I've never had that problem. I was standing on a roof two stories up picking off a large group of guards, and not a single one noticed me as I killed all 5 or 6. They were all grouped together.
Asaic wrote:
Fly Like an Eagle wrote:
People can tell by the angle which way the bolt came from. After a second or third shot they'll have more of an idea as to where you are. I find it extremely realistic and completely fair, although I fear this will become annoying by the time I start doing the Sharpshooter challenge.No, that's not it. You can change positions and it's still the same thing. They are alerted immediately when you fire off a second or third bolt even if they can't see the target who is hit. There's nothing realistic about clairvoyance.
I've never had that problem. I was standing on a roof two stories up picking off a large group of guards, and not a single one noticed me as I killed all 5 or 6. They were all grouped together.
Maybe it depends on how far away you are from them?
Were you locked on or not?
Just some questions, you know, to try and clear that stuff up.
Looks like we got a mystery on our hands, gang!
We need to get to the BOTTOM of this!
(Thumbs up for anyone who gets the reference.)
Calvar The Blade wrote:
Asaic wrote:
Fly Like an Eagle wrote:
People can tell by the angle which way the bolt came from. After a second or third shot they'll have more of an idea as to where you are. I find it extremely realistic and completely fair, although I fear this will become annoying by the time I start doing the Sharpshooter challenge.No, that's not it. You can change positions and it's still the same thing. They are alerted immediately when you fire off a second or third bolt even if they can't see the target who is hit. There's nothing realistic about clairvoyance.
I've never had that problem. I was standing on a roof two stories up picking off a large group of guards, and not a single one noticed me as I killed all 5 or 6. They were all grouped together.
Maybe it depends on how far away you are from them?
Were you locked on or not?Just some questions, you know, to try and clear that stuff up.
Looks like we got a mystery on our hands, gang!
We need to get to the BOTTOM of this!
(Thumbs up for anyone who gets the reference.)
I get the reference. It's from Scooby Doo, possibly the best cartoon series ever! Except for What's New Scooby Doo, that just doesn't seem to have the imagination and creativity of the previous series.
I've never had that problem. I was standing on a roof two stories up picking off a large group of guards, and not a single one noticed me as I killed all 5 or 6. They were all grouped together.
I noticed that in one of Ian's videos he took out a bunch of guards all in a row with the crossbow and remained undetected. It immediately stood out to me, because I know for a fact if I tried that, I would have been detected by the second or third guy. It's 100% consistent for me, had it happen several times last night alone.
I think I know what you are talking about, and I think it worked for Ian because he was above them. I myself fire a crossbow from ground level at max range and get seen sometimes on the first shot, so this might be the problem
Can anyone try Jack's theory?
I would do it now, but pretty much everyone in my house is asleep, so I'll do it tomorrow.
Whenever I'm at ground level, or close to it, they notice me immediately. I've always been kinda dissapointed with how rooftop guards ignore all you do on the street that they're supposedly watching over, and ground guards ignor everything you do up high, even if the crowd can see the stuff you do. They need to fix that. And let fleeing crowds call for help and actually get it! Motivation to run from fights!
I think I know what you are talking about, and I think it worked for Ian because he was above them. I myself fire a crossbow from ground level at max range and get seen sometimes on the first shot, so this might be the problem
Makes no difference for me. Ground level, first-story roof, second story, etc. I was on a third-story roof when it happened to me yesterday. Seems like ideal positioning (they're facing directly away from me) and yet they still magically know exactly where I am.
I've always been kinda dissapointed with how [...] ground guards ignor everything you do up high, even if the crowd can see the stuff you do. They need to fix that.
I seem to recall that street-level guards could spot you and give chase when they saw you doing things from up high, as long as you weren't too high up. I used to love raining down throwing knives, taking out guards one at a time as they would keep coming to inspect the pile of bodies. But if you were poorly positioned, I'm pretty sure they would spot you and be alerted. That's why in ACB I try to get into a good position before firing off bolts, but it doesn't seem to help.
A couple of the Cristina Memories are tinged with sadness too - particularly Last Rites, which is very poignant and respectful.
I did that memory while wearing the Desmond skin. It completely ruined the mood to see Desmond in his hoodie at this solemn moment in Ezio's life.
Could have been worse, could have chosen Raiden
I did that memory while wearing the Desmond skin. It completely ruined the mood to see Desmond in his hoodie at this solemn moment in Ezio's life.
Ouch, but funny! I can imagine that somewhat tarnished the delicate moment.
Could have been worse, could have chosen Raiden
That's the second time in about 15 seconds that I've laughed so loudly I think I might have woken my neighbours. I know it's only 9:30pm, but they're elderly. And despite having very thick, old stone walls, I also have a very loud laugh.