All-in-all a very compelling game; a must-have for fans of open-world games.
With II we get a much more polished game. Combat no longer must be avoided at all cost. While stealth is still encouraged and more fun, if you're spotted it's no longer necessary to run every time.
Our character, Enzio, and his story of revenge on those who betrayed and murdered his father and brother is also very compelling. The animations and voice acting are first-rate and the long story yields numerous interesting twists and turns.
The real star of the game, however, is the jaw-droppingly beautiful cities of Florence, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Forli, Venice, and Rome. Each is an absolute joy to explore. The never-ending historical footnotes about the people and architecture give weight to the beauty.
All-in-all a very compelling game; a must-have for fans of open-world games.