It is next to impossible for me to NOT compare this game to Splinter Cell; specifically, Chaos Theory. Made by the same folk, it has a somewhat similar feel, and a similar concept. That is being, of course, the sneaking around and assassinations. While both games are quite different, I can't help but to continue to draw this comparison. You interrogate people; you can dispatch people with different weapons/tools, you sneak, and you kill.
So I'm disappointed that with Assassin's Creed, you can't assassinate in more ways than just a couple. The first option is to just be standing next to someone, tap x and he does the animation. You can also run and jump on someone, putting your blade in them, but that gets peoples attention. Can you hang from your legs above someone and assassinate? Not to my knowledge, no. Am I missing something? You can drop in behind someone, which of course gets their attention and you can attempt the kill, but in all likelihood he will stop you, and you'll have to "assassinate" with one of your swords.
I just thought there would be more ways, is all. The game is still a lot of fun as long as you do it in small doses. There are only a few different tasks you have to do repeatedly, such as doing the dirty work of lazy informants, eavesdropping and interrogations. Repeat these over and over for each major assassination.
It is very fun to climb around on buildings, throwing knives at unsuspecting guards and tossing around "the poor." It's extremely gratifying jumping out of a hiding spot, doing an assassination then jumping back to that hiding spot (specifically using a bench) and the guards just have no clue. They get upset and pull out their swords trying to find you, but you're invisible. Great stuff, really.
The cities are big and somewhat interesting. They all feel somewhat the same, as do most of the buildings. But these cities have life; people wonder the streets and go about their business as they should. It's that these cities feel alive that really complete the experience. And the viewpoints; some of them are just spectacular, and it makes you feel good knowing that if you can see a spot, you can probably climb to that spot, without loading screens.
So I decided to rent the game instead of buy; many reviews noted that it doesn't take too long to get through everything. And I'm glad I rented as I've gotten through most of the game in less than a week. However, I haven't been doing all the tasks, just the requirements in some of the memories and more when I feel like it. And of course it helps that you can rent a game now and keep it for a month with no penalty, and if you keep it longer it only costs a minimal restocking fee.