Vertex Interactive

Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery - iPhone Games

// February 2nd, 2010 // games

Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery for the iPhone is a port of an existing Nintendo DS game with several enhancements, such as improved visuals and audio. It also introduces a new struggle mechanic when you clash swords with an enemy. But beyond these additions, the core of Discovery is essentially the same. You move through stage after stage of Renaissance intrigue, alternating between kill missions and quick chases as you attempt to rescue your assassin brethren from the Inquisition.

This is a platformer, not an exploration game, and as such it’s largely a test of skills and reflexes as you run left to right or bound between buildings. The change of pace might stump players, but I actually appreciate Ubisoft looking for a new genre to tell a side story in Ezio’s universe. However, I think the camera is entirely too close to the action for this sometimes-Sonic platformer to really succeed. Too many falls are attributed not to missing the jump button, but to getting up a real head of steam and not seeing a rooftop gap until it’s practically underfoot. In missions where you chase a French assassin, this caused a horrible blue streak of language.

Pulling the camera back would have solved this problem. Sure, some detail would be sacrificed, but it’s a more than fair exchange when faced with frustrating trial-and-error stumbles. You must be methodical about avoiding detection. If you are spotted four times, the animus rejects you.

Many gamers might find controlling Ezio a little wonky. Instead of using a virtual stick, you simply slide your finger left and right across a movement bar to control speed and direction. It’s not as easy to use as it sounds, as it turns Ezio more into a missile that must be accelerated and slowed rather than an actual character.

There is also a stealth button that lets you mark off-screen targets as well as slow your pace. Combat is handled with an attack button that changes function depending on the current condition. If you race toward an enemy that is looking away and you press the attack button, Ezio lunges and drives his wrist blade into the target’s neck before they know what’s happening. If you approach a guard with his sword out, you use the attack button in something of a rhythm game to survive a sword fight. It works pretty well, especially when moving into sword clashes.