Is Assassin‘s Creed 2 and Brotherhood the same?

No, Assassin‘s Creed 2 (AC2) and Assassin‘s Creed: Brotherhood are definitely not the same game. While Brotherhood continues the story of Ezio from AC2 and features similar gameplay mechanics, it is a fully standalone sequel title – not a remake or remaster.

Key Differences Between Assassin‘s Creed 2 and Brotherhood

While AC2 and Brotherhood share DNA when it comes to protagonist and core gameplay, they differ significantly in terms of setting, narrative, new features, scope and more:

So while both star Ezio Auditore in Renaissance Italy fighting Templars, AC2 offers varied locales compared to Brotherhood‘s sole setting of Rome. Brotherhood also introduces major new mechanics that build on AC2‘s foundations.

Examining Key Gameplay Innovations in Brotherhood

While Assassin‘s Creed 2 is widely-praised, many fans and critics consider Brotherhood to be the superior title. What gameplay additions help elevate Brotherhood to be one of the highest-rated AC franchsie entries of all time?

Recruitable Assassins

The ability to enlist citizens of Rome into your ranks as assassin apprentices completely changes Brotherhood‘s gameplay. As you rescue and recruit assassins to your brotherhood, you‘re able to call on them in battle or send them on missions around Europe.

There are several tiers and specialty classes:

• Common Assassins: call in a swarm for diversions or coordinated strikes
• Thieves: can pickpocket targets or open locked chests
• Mercenaries: heavily-armed, specialize in combat
• Courtesans: can charm and distract hostile guards with flirting

This meta-game around recruiting and leveling up your brotherhood adds an entirely new dimension. It encourages completing side content to be able to recruit more assassin types. Seeing them visibly grow in skills and aid you in the world makes this system incredibly satisfying.

Real Estate Investments

Alongside assassins, Ezio can also invest his funds into renovating Roman landmarks and opening businesses. This unlocks additional revenue sources and further customizes the city to show your influence.

AC2 had building upgrades as well, but Brotherhood expands this feature dramatically. Over 80 buildings across Rome‘s districts and landmarks like Colosseum or Castel Sant’Angelo can eventually be purchased and renovated.

This detailed take on real estate tycoon mechanics gives tangible feedback on how you‘re shaping the city while making it extremely fun to uncover every investment opportunity across Rome.

Replayable Memories

While the main story is shorter compared to AC2, Brotherhood adds tremendous replay value by allowing any completed mission or memory to be replayed. This enables going back to tweak your approach to a tricky assassination or simply experience memorable levels again. Modern AAA titles still don‘t offer this level of mission replayability.

Beyond just gameplay innovations, though, Brotherhood also continues AC2‘s narrative and world-building in compelling fashion.

Continuing Ezio‘s Journey in Rome

Brotherhood sees Ezio travel to Rome nine years after AC2, further growing into the role of Assassin Grand Master we see born in the last moments of the previous game. This shift to focusing entirely on Rome as a setting allows for an incredible level of detail and landmark density.

Fans of AC2‘s Italian adventures will enjoy the nods connecting both games, like assaults on landmarks only hinted at in the first title or residue chaos from Rodrigo Borgia‘s time as Pope Alexander VI.

Seeing the maturity in Ezio both physically from his new beard and scars to his weathered ideals as he champions the brotherhood grounds the experience. Moments like defending Assassin dens from invading forces or seeing your apprentices actively display their growth are incredibly gratifying payoffs.

These successes combined with misfortunes for allies like Caterina Sforza being forced back to Forlì or seeing former enemies the Followers of Romulus reform as violent street gangs illustrate the ebb and flow of influence reflected in Brotherhood‘s themes.

Why Gamers and Critics Adore Brotherhood

Looking at fan discussion boards and reviews paints a decisive picture – Assassin‘s Creed: Brotherhood is considered not just a stellar sequel, but THE quintessential Assassin‘s Creed experience.

Why does it receive such acclaim and in many circles viewed as superior to AC2 itself?

• The setting of Rome finally being fully-realized after just glimpses in AC2
• Continuing to build out assassins vs templars fantasy by bringing in strategic layer around managing brotherhood
• Satisfaction in seeing long-term progression via assassin levels, real estate, story
• Peak classic AC combat, parkour, stealth play without future titles‘ bloat

Critics praise the pacing, scope, additions like horse combat or crossbows, while players love feeling like a true assassin leader commanding underlings and reshaping the city.

The engaged community around strategizing assassin skill trees, debating optimal building investments, and discussing story developments years later demonstrate both the quality and memorable nature of so much Brotherhood executes on.

Comparing Two Classics Side-by-Side

As a long-time gaming enthusiast and Assassin Creed fanatic myself, I consider AC2 and Brotherhood to be two of the absolute pinnacles of the entire franchise.

Both showcase charismatic versions of protagonist Ezio Auditore during distinct phases in his life. They capture Renaissance Italy with beautiful faithful architecture mixed with historical figures like Leonardo Da Vinci or Niccolò Machiavelli playing major roles.

If I could recommend only playing a single entry for those new to Assassin‘s Creed, however, I would likely pick Brotherhood for several key reasons:

• Deeper progression mechanics and strategy elements with assassin recruiting/building renovations
• Enhanced combat from AC2 with welcome additions like horse combat or crossbow weapon
• Amazing level of world-building detail by focusing solely on city of Rome
• Satisfaction in unraveling intertwined narrative threads around followers of Romulus or Borgia schemes

Brotherhood also benefits from coming after 2, meaning some gameplay annoyances like early AC1-era stealth had already been improved thanks to fan feedback from the previous release.

Ultimately though, AC2 as the origin story for an iconic character like Ezio earns immense respect in laying vital franchise groundwork. And its sprawling journey across different cities still shines as a varied Italian love letter to this day.

I sincerely feel that no gamer‘s library is complete without both titles. They represent interconnected high points of Ubisoft‘s Assassin‘s Creed efforts and immersive interactive storytelling as a whole.