The original
Assassin's Creed was pretty damn good.
We liked it.
You liked it.
We all liked it. Hence, the requisite sequel now available in stores.
Assassin's Creed 2 features a new protagonist (
Ezio Auditore di Firenze), a new setting (Italy circa 1476), and more drama than another OMGWTFBBQ episode of
Gossip Girl. (In fact, the show's narrator, Kristen Bell, reprises her role as lab assistant Lucy Stillman.) But, even with all of the newness, we can't help but make the connection between Ezio and everyone's favorite movie superhero*,
Batman. Is the Caped Crusader his long lost brother from another Renaissance mother? We investigate...
*Based on domestic box office sales. That counts, right?
5. Furious Fists of Fire-nzeAnyone who played the original
Assassin's Creed knows that an unarmed Altair was like an old dog at the pound: fragile, defenseless, and moments away from a cruel and unusual death.
Thankfully, Ezio isn't as physically disabled. Utilizing an array of kicks, punches, and counters, Italy's third greatest video game hero—a certain mustachioed plumber and his brother are firmly affixed at the top—is able to easily dispatch of enemies a la The Dark Knight. Sorry, the Clint-Eastwood-with-a-sore-throat voice is sold separately.
4. Smoke Bomb ExitsCowards may run, but use a ball of smoke and at least you're doing it with style.
Ezio and Batman both carry around pellets that, once thrown on the ground, explode into a plume of white powder, allowing for an easy escape through the enemy frontline.
It's not exactly the macho thing to do, but it's better to be a breathing hero than a dead one.
3. Don't Hate the Player...What's the No. 1 reason to wish you were Batman?
Chicks, man. Chicks! When he's not chasing The Joker, Gotham's resident playboy is chasing tail, and with all the money in the world, it's hard not to want a piece of Bruce Wayne.
While not as opulent as his modern day counterpart, Ezio is just as libidinous. Before he turns into the game's cloaked protagonist, you can find him making the ladies swoon at the local watering hole. Upon donning his garb, he is able to whistle over gaggles of females and use them to create diversions in order to traverse the land. Not as awesome as
macking it to Russian ballerinas on a yacht, but serviceably cool.
2. Gliding Is for ClosersAnyone can just hop on a plane and get to where they need to go, but
real men—call them Renaissance men—take a more novel approach to raining down hell from above. Batman, of course, uses his massive cape to soar through the sky and land on unsuspecting foes. (It's also great for barhopping.)
Likewise, local inventor and sympathizer Leonardo da Vinci whips up a flying device for Ezio allowing him to glide around the Venetian canals. It's a bit unwieldy and looks like it weighs a ton, but having the locals think you're a flying demon gives you a bit of street cred, we guess. Want your mind blown even more? When seeking out inspiration for Batman's look, original Bat artist Bill Finger turned to the sketches of....Leonard da Vinci.
COINCIDENCE?
1. The Art of SneakEven with an arsenal of gadgets, gizmos, and doohickeys, nothing can compare with quietly approaching a baddie from behind and taking them out without tipping off others.
The Dark Knight uses the cover of night and shadows to easily maneuver himself in position, while Ezio uses wagons full of haystacks and his incredible climbing ability.
Oh, did we mention he also has a few tricks up his sleeve in the form of retractable blades? Not exactly Wolverine, but still pretty badass, bub.