Unfortunately, it's been a while since I played AC:2 and I can't remember much of it besides the general synopsis.

In general, I find the first AC:2 to be the weakest of the three, but it's a stronger story than AC:1, if you ask me. There are flaws in the story, but I didn't find them irredeemable. The Truth stuff is meant purely as a "something interesting to do" for the people who can just grind tasks out for no reason than to accomplish them (eg. people who can spend hours farming achievements in WoW...), and I just watched it on youtube. Some of the other gripes you raised are valid and annoy me as well at times, but I enjoy the gameplay and the story enough that I usually just take the game for what it is (an action game, not an RPG)

Since I can't tell you much about AC:2 specifically due to the loss of memory, I will tell you that AC: Brotherhood and AC: Revelations don't lack in the areas you have expressed disappointment with. The side missions are better than in the first AC2, and give more varied results/rewards. Revelations is particularly interesting to me away from the main Ezio story because you get to experience parts of Altair's history post-AC:1, AND learn more about Desmond's past via a sort of "island" created within the Animus (can't tell you too much about that without ruining it). And the modern story line has a wicked twist at the end of Brotherhood that had me hollering at my computer screen...


In other words, I don't know how other folk feel, but I disagree with you. I usually don't even like linear action games, but I'm hooked on Assassin's Creed. I'd say it's worth pushing on, but if you're hesitant, I recommend maybe playing someone else's copy and saving your money if you don't think you will be satisfied The games definitely have been improving each time on the general whole, and I very much look forward to this last installment.