3. The Music
Im not alone in being of the opinion that Assassins Creed II is blessed with one of the greatest scores of this era in any medium. As for films and television, music in games is a quintessential asset, helping to set the tone of a given scene or setting and imbuing the player with the expected emotions as the plot demands. Jesper Kyd has given the world a masterpiece that does what all good soundtracks should: exist separately from its source material so as to be fluid enough to fit into new mediums, scenes or genres; in essence, to have a quality of timelessness and universal applicability. Kyds work does that and more. Through 35 masterful compositions, the player/listener is taken on a journey that will resonate with them: from the enigmatic, energetic and majestic opening of Earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3udu4SUsIc To the wondrous, playful and celestial Flight over Venice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psJx4rKoCKY&feature=channel&list=UL To the frenetic yet assured pace of Chariot Chase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFecIcXakpI&list=PL8E9ED6C83323E661&index=29&feature=plpp_video the soundtrack is always confident, curious and cool, throwing us into a world of limitless wonder and possibilities, of plot twists and turns and marvelous scenes and scenery. It serves its purpose and, eschewing the bombast of so many generic scores seen in films, is more than worthy as a standalone accomplishment of great merit.