Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood isn’t just about Machiavellian scheming, shadowy stealth and balletic platforming – it’s also about gory murderising, oodles of it. Tragically, many AC players never really look beyond their staple weapons, but there’s a wonderful world of glorious takedowns just willing to be unleashed if you equip the right gear. So without further ado, we’ve compiled some of the sickest, most flat-out spectacular takedowns Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood has to offer. Enjoy.
With nought but bare hams equipped, Ezio sidles up behind this unwary guard and snaps his neck like a chicken. It’s all very WWE but, er... real. His mates don’t seem massively impressed, so get ready for a fight.
Above: Ooh, snap! Nope, it wasn't supposed to bend that way, but it's too late now
The stampee’s another weapons-free takedown, Ezio hurling his opponent to the canvas before jumping on his neck, Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon-style. Shame he doesn’t make the accompanying high pitched noises or pull a funny face.
Above: If there's one way to impress the ladies in ancient Rome,it's stamping on a Roman guard
Possibly the most down ‘n dirty finishers in Brotherhood come courtesy of knives – or, rather, this rather cruel-looking Butcher’s blade (available for not too many florins from a Blacksmith near you.) They mostly involve the slitting of gizzards, leaving guards to choke to death in their own blood.
Above: All the other guards will stand off and let you finish adding ventilation to their mate's neck
This one’s all about the dual wrist blades. Casual as you like, wander up between two guards and pretend you’re an extra from The Village People – skewing one through the back of the neck, and one through the front.
Above: A cheeky little move, if ever we saw one. Two guards + one Ezio = much death
Ah, an old favourite – the ‘stab them both in the back at the same time with your hidden blades’ execution. For best effect, perform this one from a dizzying height – you can almost hear the crunch.
Above: Jump on his back! He won't like that at all. Much less the 7 inches of steel severing his spine
Ezio’s a whirling dervish of Errol Flynn-like legend with his sword in hand; some of his counters have to be seen to be believed. Yet, for sheer impudent twattishness, nothing quite beats meandering up behind an unsuspecting soldier and running him through with your sabre. Touché!
Above: The most cowardly of moves - this poor fella had no idea you were about to stab him in the back
The crossbow, pistol and stilettos are the tools for longer-range assassinations. The crossbow is handy for taking out mounted guards, since they’re often a right pain to unhorse. Take that, Mr Ed.
Above: Shooting folk from their horses is just as much fun here as it was in Red Dead Redemption
...but not half as sweet as this sword takedown, which culminates in Ezio – after spearing the poor schmoe – blasting his ailing victim full in the mug with a blam-load of gunpowder.
Above: Nasty one, this. If you look closely, you can see his last thoughts flying through the air
Heavy weapons, like the mace, hammer and axe – though the hardest to wield and a ‘mare to counter with – also dish out massive damage and even the odd inst-o-kill. Watch Ezio bash some poor SOB’s brains in with his medieval mallet...
Above: Ha! You think your knees hurt? Wait until your head feels this...
Weapon’s often have a sneaky ‘special’ attack too, which Ezio’ll unleash if you hold down x/square. Our fave features this axe... Ezio lobs it, and it sticks straight in the back of this guard’s bonce and sends him flying. ROTFLMAO etc.
Above: Hey, guys - watch my bird impression. Aww, you're not looking!
Finally, if you simply can’t be arsed killing anyone else, why not whistle for your lackeys to come do it instead? That’s what the L1/ L Bumper was invented for... They’ll ride in on horsies, leap out of haystacks and appear in a puff of smoke to rein death down upon your adversaries, before disappearing into the mist. Ezio, ciggie in hand, watches on.
Above: This dude leaps straight from his horse and kills your foe in one move. Nice dismount, sir!
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is out for PC, PS3 and 360 next week.
November 10, 2010
