The latest Assassin’s Creed 2 downloadable content has arrived on XBox Live about a week (or two?) ago. Bonfire of Vanities is the latest installment and picks up where Battle of Forli had left me a little confused about a month ago.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that I absolutely loved every little bit of AC2. The creators have managed to improve the original Assassin’s Creed game while still retaining the same feel and atmosphere. Not only have they created a masterpiece, but also made a new, very worthy, game-hero. Thus, in eager anticipation, I jumped into the game to find out which challenges were awaiting Ezio Auditore this time.

When I finished Sequence 12 I was in hot pursuit of the Apple of Eden. This new sequence is no different! A prophet of sorts has been stirring up trouble since the Apple came into his possession. It’s up to Ezio to eliminate his followers and, obviously, the prophet himself to restore order to the streets of Florence. The length of Bonfire of Vanities seems to be quite a bit longer than Battle of Forli. Which is good; more time to roam through the city and with supple grace climb buildings and eliminate targets!

As soon as I had accepted my mission I needed to eliminate nine targets. There is a lot of variation in these assignments. Some targets need to be eliminated without being detected at all. Other targets can be eliminated in a somewhat… messier way (yes, this involved me getting into a fight with about 30 guards). Although, the mission that got a chuckle out of me was one where I had to pursue a target over the rooftops before he reached his goal. Only, after about five seconds he fell off the roof and died, saving me quite a lot of work!

There isn’t much left to say. I loved it and I could happily emerge myself into AC2′s world for another few hours. The game simply continues as it has always done. Freedom to do what you like in beautifully crafted city surroundings. There is nothing more satisfying then eliminating your target after painstakingly removing guards from the area without being detected and hear Ezio smoothly deliver his one-liner to the poor sod lying on the cobblestones…

Requiscat in pace.