Info about Assassin’s Creed® Brotherhood:

Official game description:
Live and breathe as Ezio, a legendary Master Assassin, in his enduring struggle against the powerful Templar Order. He must journey into Italy’s greatest city, Rome, center of power, greed and corruption to strike at the heart of the enemy.  
Defeating the corrupt tyrants entrenched there will require not only strength, but leadership, as Ezio commands an entire Brotherhood who will rally to his side. Only by working together can the Assassins defeat their mortal enemies.  
And for the first time, introducing an award-winning multiplayer layer that allows you to choose from a wide range of unique characters, each with their own signature weapons and assassination techniques, and match your skills against other players from around the world.  
It’s time to join the Brotherhood.  
Key Features
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*   **BE A LEGEND** – Take Ezio, now a legendary Assassin, on a new adventure with 15+ hours of story-driven single-player gameplay.  
*   **LEAD AND CONTROL A LEGENDARY BROTHERHOOD** – Recruit and customize your own guild. Train and level up assassins and command them to aid you in your quest.  
*   **DEPLOY SECRET WEAPONS** – Swiftly eliminate your enemies using tools such as poison darts, parachutes, double hidden blades, hidden guns, and an advanced flying machine at your disposal.  
*   **WIN THE HEART OF A CITY** – Use your hard-won currency to revitalize the crumbling capitol city. Rally the citizens to your cause and unlock extra factions and missions.

Release date: 17 Mar, 2011

Categories: Single-player Story, Open-World Exploration, Competitive Multiplayer, Real-time Combat, Minion Management, Parkour Gameplay, Stealth Gameplay, Town Building


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Superior Gameplay & Enduring Quality (weight 0.99): The game is widely considered an improvement over its predecessor, Assassin's Creed II, in nearly every aspect. Players laud its engaging, fun, and polished gameplay that maintains high quality even years after release, with many calling it a series peak or a timeless classic.
- Enhanced Combat & Killstreaks (weight 0.71): The combat system received significant improvements, notably the introduction of killstreaks and chain executions. This makes battles more fluid, dynamic, spectacular, and satisfying, transforming confrontations into a seamless and engaging experience.
- Improved Graphics & Technical Polish (weight 0.68): The game features noticeable graphical upgrades, including better textures, models, lighting, and cutscenes, especially compared to Assassin's Creed II. Players appreciate the overall technical refinements, contributing to a visually appealing and immersive experience that still holds up well.
- Fluid Parkour System (weight 0.65): The parkour and free-running mechanics are noted for being smoother, more fluid, and generally improved compared to previous games. The city design effectively complements the traversal, making climbing and navigating Rome an enjoyable and seamless experience.
- Ezio's Masterful Character Evolution (weight 0.65): Players highly praise Ezio Auditore's compelling character arc, transitioning from a revenge-driven youth to a wise, charismatic Master Assassin and leader of the Brotherhood. The game is seen as a seamless, superior continuation of his story from AC2, deepening his personality and overall impact.
- Innovative Assassin Brotherhood System (weight 0.33): The ability to recruit, train, and command a personal Brotherhood of Assassins is a universally praised and innovative mechanic. Players enjoy sending recruits on missions or calling them for tactical support, enhancing the feeling of being a true Master Assassin and leader.
- Immersive Rome Setting & Renovation (weight 0.23): The single, massive open-world of Renaissance Rome is a significant highlight, meticulously detailed and filled with historical landmarks. The addictive mechanic of renovating districts and rebuilding the city, liberating it from Borgia control, profoundly impacts the game world and player progression.
- Gripping Story & Pacing (weight 0.18): The narrative is highly praised for its engaging plot, good pacing, and emotional depth, providing a captivating continuation of the main storyline. The well-written characters and compelling cliffhanger ending contribute to a memorable and satisfying storytelling experience.
- Varied & Engaging Missions (weight 0.16): Players commend the game's diverse and interesting mission design, particularly highlighting unique side quests like Leonardo's War Machines and Romulus Lairs. Missions feel less repetitive and more integrated into the narrative than in previous installments, enriching the overall experience.
- Excellent Audio & Soundtrack (weight 0.06): The game receives strong praise for its amazing, immersive, and memorable soundtrack, which effectively enhances the atmosphere and dramatic moments. The overall sound design also contributes significantly to the game's high-quality presentation.

Common complaints:
- Limited World Scope & Diversity (weight 0.38): The decision to set the game primarily in a single city, Rome, was a major point of criticism for players who enjoyed the varied cities and environments of Assassin's Creed II. This limited scope contributed to a sense of monotony and made the game feel less grand or diverse.
- Shorter, Less Engaging Story (weight 0.36): Many players felt the game's main story was significantly shorter, less memorable, and less engaging compared to Assassin's Creed II, often feeling more like an expansion than a full sequel. The plot was perceived as rushed, particularly towards the end, and lacked the emotional depth and character development of its predecessor.
- Lack of Innovation, Dated Gameplay (weight 0.35): Reviewers noted a lack of significant innovation in gameplay mechanics and structure compared to its predecessor, making the game feel repetitive and aged. Core elements were often unchanged or perceived as clunkier, contributing to the impression of it being a 'DLC' rather than a distinct new installment.
- Widespread Bugs & Performance Issues (weight 0.27): Players reported numerous and varied bugs, glitches, and performance problems, especially on modern PC hardware and high refresh rate monitors. These issues, ranging from graphical glitches and crashes to game-breaking bugs that prevented mission completion, often required players to seek online solutions or specific workarounds.
- Frustrating 100% Sync & Repetitive Side Content (weight 0.19): The requirement for 'full synchronization' via optional mission objectives was a significant source of frustration, with players finding these objectives overly demanding and restrictive. The open world was also perceived as cluttered with an excessive amount of repetitive and uninteresting side activities, which felt like artificial lengthening.
- Ubisoft Connect & DRM Frustrations (weight 0.14): Many players experienced persistent problems with the Ubisoft Connect launcher, including mandatory constant password re-entry, login failures, and requirements for online connectivity even for single-player content. These issues frequently prevented players from launching or playing the game they purchased, leading to strong criticism of Ubisoft's support for older titles and DRM practices.
- Clunky & Unreliable Movement Controls (weight 0.12): The parkour system and general character controls were frequently criticized for being clunky, unpredictable, and frustrating. Players reported Ezio making unintended jumps, sticking to walls, or failing to grab ledges, often compounded by fixed camera angles and poor input responsiveness, making precise movement a chore.

Gameplay feedback:
- Expanded AC2 Gameplay & New Features (weight 0.12): While building directly upon the successful foundation of Assassin's Creed II, the gameplay introduces significant refinements. Key additions include a fluid kill streak combat system, the versatile crossbow weapon, and notably, the franchise's first multiplayer mode, creating an experience that feels like a comprehensive evolution rather than just an add-on.
- Ample Side Content & Playtime (weight 0.08): The game offers a substantial amount of content, with the main story providing a solid foundation. Numerous side quests, Borgia tower liberations, and other activities extend the total playtime significantly, often pushing completion times into the 35-45 hour range, providing plenty for players to engage with beyond the core narrative.
- Challenging Optional Synchronization (weight 0.03): Missions include optional full synchronization objectives that add an extra layer of challenge and replayability, particularly for completionists. Achieving 100% synchronization, sometimes required to unlock specific side content like Cristina's missions, demands patience and precision, offering a deeper engagement for dedicated players.
- Generally Easy Combat Difficulty (weight 0.02): Many players found the combat difficulty to be relatively easy, particularly for the main story without striving for full synchronization. While the core mechanics are straightforward to learn, mastering advanced techniques like kill streaks might offer a higher skill ceiling.
- Modern-Day Narrative Advancement (weight 0.02): The modern-day storyline continues with Desmond Miles and his team, who visit the Auditore Villa to access Ezio's memories and uncover clues about the Apple of Eden. These sequences involve platforming and progress the overarching Templar-Assassin conflict, linking the historical and contemporary plots.

Performance notes:
- High FPS causes critical bugs (weight 0.09): Many players report that running the game above 60 FPS or 60Hz refresh rates leads to severe issues, including game-breaking bugs, mission progression blockers, physics malfunctions (e.g., flying machine controls), and cutscene failures. Capping the framerate to 60 FPS using in-game or external tools is a widely recommended and often necessary workaround for playability.
- Runs well on low-end hardware (weight 0.03): The game has relatively low system requirements and is noted to run smoothly on older or less powerful PCs, including laptops and those without dedicated graphics cards. Its manageable installation size further contributes to its accessibility on diverse systems.

Recommendations:
- Essential Ezio Trilogy Continuation (weight 0.18): Players widely consider Assassin's Creed Brotherhood a crucial and high-quality continuation of Ezio Auditore's story, building on the foundation of AC2. Many recommend playing the entire Ezio trilogy for the full narrative and experience, specifically advising playing AC2 first to understand the context.
- Highly Recommended Game (weight 0.17): The game generally receives overwhelmingly positive reviews and high numerical ratings, being praised as an enjoyable, classic, and timeless experience. Reviewers frequently express strong satisfaction and recommend it to a broad audience, although a few scores are lower.
- Avoid PC Version Due to Bugs (weight 0.05): A significant number of players strongly advise against purchasing or playing the PC version, particularly on Steam, citing prevalent bugs, frame rate issues, and problems with the Ubisoft launcher and cloud saves. They suggest playing older versions or community-patched alternatives for a better experience.
- Best Purchased On Sale (weight 0.05): Many players recommend buying the game, but strongly suggest waiting for a discount or purchasing it as part of a bundle, like the Ezio trilogy. They emphasize that the game offers excellent value when acquired at a reduced price.
- Cautious Approach for New Players (weight 0.04): New or casual players are advised to approach the game with caution, acknowledging its older controls and potential quirks. Some suggest it might be better experienced as a story-focused playthrough or even watched, rather than played for extensive exploration, unless familiar with older game mechanics.

Other player notes:
- Strong AC2 Sequel & Series Context (weight 0.07): Brotherhood is widely recognized as a direct and respectable sequel to AC2, furthering Ezio's narrative. While many appreciate its contribution to the Ezio trilogy, opinions vary on its standing within the broader Assassin's Creed franchise compared to other installments.
- Varied Playtime & Replayability (weight 0.06): Players experience diverse game lengths, from quick main story completions (5-15 hours) to extensive 100% runs (up to 80+ hours). Replayability is often good for a few runs, driven by addiction or nostalgia, though some find aspects repetitive.
- Cherished Nostalgic Experience (weight 0.04): The game, being over a decade old, strongly evokes nostalgia and childhood memories for many players, often becoming a "comfort game." Its age is frequently cited as a factor for minor technical issues.
- Broad Audience Appeal (weight 0.02): The game is considered suitable for a wide demographic, including adolescents, teens, and adults. While some content is not explicitly child-friendly, its overall appeal spans various age groups.
- Feels Like a Large AC2 DLC (weight 0.02): Many players perceive Brotherhood as an extensive DLC or expansion for Assassin's Creed II, given its direct narrative continuation and similar core mechanics, despite its own innovations and optimized designs.
- Desire for Multiplayer Return (weight 0.02): Players fondly recall the game's multiplayer, expressing disappointment over its current unavailability due to server shutdowns. There's significant interest and anticipation for any potential revival of the feature.
- Mixed Ubisoft Reputation (weight 0.02): Sentiment towards Ubisoft is divided; some praise their past work like this game, while others criticize current development trends and persistent issues such as save loss or excessive series extensions.
- Dedicated Player Engagement (weight 0.01): A segment of players demonstrates deep personal engagement, committing to long playtimes, multiple playthroughs across various platforms, and even extreme completionist efforts driven by strong personal connections.
- Engaging Desmond Storyline (weight 0.01): The modern-day narrative focusing on Desmond Miles is well-received, with players appreciating its continuation from previous titles and expressing eagerness for future developments in his saga.
- Inconsistent Language Options (weight 0.01): Players face challenges with in-game language settings; some languages are easily changeable, while others like Japanese require manual registry edits or are not fully supported, even for subtitles.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.3): Players felt satisfied by the game's significant improvements over its predecessor, Assassin's Creed II, particularly in graphics, combat mechanics, and parkour. The engaging continuation of Ezio's story, the immersive setting of Rome, and innovative new features like the Brotherhood system and assassin recruitment were frequently cited as sources of enjoyment. Overall high quality, rich content, and stable performance further contributed to a positive experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.18): Frustration stemmed primarily from numerous technical issues, including game-breaking bugs, crashes, stuttering on modern PCs, and poor optimization, especially for high refresh rate monitors. Players also expressed annoyance with clunky controls, problematic parkour mechanics, and overly strict 100% synchronization requirements that often led to mandatory mission restarts. Ubisoft Connect and DRM issues, such as login problems and account linking, further hindered gameplay.
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Disappointment arose from the game's perceived shorter length and feeling more like a DLC than a full sequel, along with a story that some found weaker or less innovative than AC2. Technical issues, the game's aged mechanics compared to modern titles, and the inactive multiplayer also contributed to a sense of unfulfilled expectations. Repetitive missions, unengaging side content, and a general lack of significant new ideas added to this sentiment.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Players were excited by the game being a substantial improvement and a 'perfected' continuation of the AC2 formula, offering an engaging story, enhanced combat, and fluid parkour. The introduction of new features like the Brotherhood system and the ability to recruit assassins generated enthusiasm, along with the grand setting of Rome. The game's overall high quality and impactful narrative moments, especially Ezio's character development, fueled this excitement.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration was directed towards the game's overall quality, its status as a classic, and the peak of the Ezio trilogy, with many considering it the best in the series. Players admired Ezio's character development, the rich narrative depth, the magnificent recreation of Rome, and the immersive soundtrack. Innovative mechanics and refined gameplay also drew strong praise, contributing to the game's enduring legacy.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Nostalgia was a significant emotion, driven by players revisiting a beloved game from their childhood or younger years, often on multiple playthroughs. Fond memories of the game's impact, its classic status, and the connection to the Ezio saga contributed to this feeling. Comparing the game's quality and design favorably to newer titles in the series also evoked a strong sense of nostalgia.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players thoroughly enjoyed the core gameplay, including engaging story elements, diverse activities, and specific mechanics like the Brotherhood system and city management. The immersive world design, the fun of playing as a wiser Ezio, and the overall positive experience contributed to this enjoyment. The game's replayability and ability to provide many hours of entertainment were frequently highlighted.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger stemmed from critical game-breaking bugs, especially those preventing mission completion or accessing the ending, and Ubisoft's perceived inaction in fixing them. Players were also angry at persistent Ubisoft Connect login issues, DRM barriers, and poor design choices that led to frustrating gameplay, such as unfair mission conditions or clunky controls. The inability to refund or resolve these issues further intensified this anger.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy was experienced through the game's overall fun and replayable nature, providing an excellent and immersive gaming experience. Players found joy in graceful movement, satisfying combat, and developing Ezio's character. Reliving childhood memories and exploring the beautifully rendered Rome with new gameplay layers further contributed to this positive emotion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation was expressed for the game's strong continuation of AC2's foundation, its storytelling, and the quality of its characters, particularly Ezio. The historical accuracy, immersive Renaissance setting of Rome, and the refined gameplay mechanics were also highly appreciated. Players valued the game's ambition, its lasting playability, and small but significant improvements over its predecessor.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance was caused by Ubisoft's external systems, such as frequent password prompts from Ubisoft Connect and the lack of modern controller support. Minor technical bugs, clunky combat and parkour mechanics, and specific mission designs that felt tedious or illogical also generated annoyance. Unskippable credits and issues with checkpoint systems further contributed to player frustration.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players expressed deep love for the game's overall quality, its beauty, and the immersive experience it offered, solidifying its place as a favorite in the series. The city of Rome, the core gameplay, and Ezio's character development resonated strongly, creating a lasting affection. This love often extended to the entire Assassin's Creed franchise, despite any flaws.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from unclear main quest endings, plot holes, and the abrupt conclusion of Desmond's storyline. Players also experienced confusion with inconsistent game systems, such as passive income mechanics and fall damage, as well as technical issues like controller detection problems. The uncertainty regarding whether climbing issues were bugs or design choices also contributed to this feeling.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom was reported due to repetitive gameplay, particularly 'follow' missions and monotonous side tasks, which some felt artificially stretched the game's length. The automated parkour system, uninteresting map areas, and the game's initial slow pace also contributed to a feeling of tedium. The dated graphics were sometimes cited as a factor in the game's perceived lack of engagement.
- Helpfulness (weight 0): Helpfulness was demonstrated by players providing solutions and workarounds for common technical issues, such as performance tips for specific missions or fixes for game-breaking bugs. Sharing information about DLC integration and offering practical advice for new players highlighted a community-driven effort to improve the overall experience. These contributions aimed to mitigate frustrations and enable others to enjoy the game.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0): Enthusiasm was evident through strong recommendations for the game, often praising its high quality and its status as an excellent entry in the Ezio saga. Players expressed enthusiasm for the unique touch of the game, its rich open-world experience, and its nearly perfect execution across story, characters, and combat. This positive sentiment encouraged others to play and experience the game.
- Relief (weight 0): Relief was felt upon successfully implementing fixes or finding workarounds for significant technical issues, such as stuttering, flickering, or game-breaking bugs. Players experienced relief when solutions for Steam Deck compatibility or performance problems were found, allowing them to enjoy the game as intended. The ability to call for assassin help, reducing game difficulty, also provided a sense of relief.
- Immersion (weight 0): Immersion was achieved through being completely absorbed in the game's vast, detailed open world and its historical setting of Renaissance Rome. Players felt a strong connection to Ezio's engaging story and the responsibility of leadership, with the city breathing history. Captivating sound design, the atmospheric setting, and observing the city from high vantage points further deepened this immersive experience.
- Surprise (weight 0): Surprise was experienced when the game exceeded initial expectations, often despite not being a dedicated AC fan, or due to unexpected plot twists, especially in Desmond's story. Players were surprised by the amount of content, the size of Rome, and specific technical features like aspect ratio support or progress transfer. The pleasant beginning and updated graphics also contributed to a positive surprise.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement arose from exaggerated descriptions of Ezio's skills or humorous re-interpretations of game mechanics, such as the economic system. Players found humor in their own clumsy escapes, self-inflicted consequences from stealing horses, and witty in-world dialogue. The satirical critiques and analogies used by reviewers also contributed to this lighthearted emotion.}