Earlier this year I played Assassin's Creed 2. Tracey got it as a surprise, and a surprise it was, given that I liked the original game somewhat, but not enough to even get close to finishing it. The story was compelling, but the gameplay was lackluster. The sequel, however, was a blast from start to finish, due in no small part to the setting: Renaissance Florence. Everyone from Lorenzo "il Magnifico" de Medici to Niccolo Machiavelli to Leonardo da Vinci showed up at one point or another, and the historical notes about people and architecture showed that the design team wasn't merely content to slap a facade of historicity over a generic game. I loved it.
As a result, I've picked up an additional, if not quite as intense, line of study. As you may know, I'm currently studying Chinese at the University of Houston, but I've started delving into Renaissance Florentine history. I intend to read up on Venice, and possibly other major Italian city-states/republics as well, but for now I'm concentrating on Florence. It's fascinating to read about the myriad factors that not only helped birth the modern era, but the place itself.
Now, I have no intention of dropping Chinese in favor of Florentine history, but it's refreshing to have an interest in a subject as captivating as Chinese language and history that doesn't require as massive an investment of time as Chinese does. My interest in Florence reminds me of my long-standing interest in the Great War: both are compelling without being so to the point of fixation, and both shed light on my understanding not only of the past, but the present. Which is, of course, one of the foremost reasons to study history.
Who says video games aren't educational? Now all I have to do is wait until November for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, wherein I get to explore Rome- the Eternal City which at one point was seemingly populated only by prostitutes and priests. In the meantime, I'm tempted to put aside my autumn playthrough of Bully in favor of replaying Assassin's Creed 2, but who knows if that'll happen.
Here's to history, games, and where the twain shall meet!
1 comment:
AC2 was a blast. My favorite part was building up the villa and soaking in the decent show of culture. It was like a virtual Renn Fest, with all the best parts made hurty and free-running wicked. The first was a good, but tedious set-up. The second was polished fun from start to finish. I may need to engage you in the multi-player side of things.
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