Review: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

RATING M for Mature

Get ready to don the robes and dual blades again, because the third edition of Assassin's Creed is here.

The action picks up right after the events of the widely adored AC 2, which arrived about a year ago. Once again, you'll take on the role of Ezio. The main gameplay and combat are almost the same as in the original. But in this version, you can call upon a horse to whisk you away from danger, and in combat you can string together kills more efficiently.

With the subtitle Brotherhood, you can imagine Ezio will get help along the way. Sure enough, the villagers Ezio saves can be recruited to do his dirty work. It's an interesting concept but doesn't feel fully formed, because many of the soon-to-be assassins don't meaningfully affect the overall game.

In multiplayer mode, you'll either love the slow pacing of hunting a target (while being hunted by another unknown player), or you'll play it a few times and just think it's fun. The multiplayer mode is still a great supplement to the main gameplay, even if it doesn't appear complete.

The franchise's gorgeous visuals continue. You're confined to just one city in Brotherhood, but, trust us, the developers made Rome feel enormous. You won't get bored with the scenery.

PLOT You lead a group of assassins in Renaissance-era Rome

DETAILS PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, $60

BOTTOM LINE A worthy sequel