EaglePatch AC2: Controllers, Graphics fix & Unlock Uplay Bonuses

Play Assassin's Creed 2 with modern controllers (Steam Input), fixed graphics, and Uplay rewards.

Why?

Assassin's Creed 2 is an old game, and Ubisoft doesn't bother updating their old games for preservation purposes, even actively locking away content due to shutting down online servers, instead of opening them up free for everyone, or making them work offline.

In particular this game:
1. Uses DirectInput, which means trigger button and rumble won't work on newer controllers supported via Steam Input.
2. Has some old graphic issues with LOD and shadow quality.
3. Can't unlock Uplay bonuses anymore as the service has been terminated.

EaglePatch AC2[github.com], made by Sergeanur[github.com], fixes this issues.

Installing EaglePatch AC2

Features

- Improved shadow map size from 1024 to 4096 (only when shadow quality is maxed out in game's settings; can be disabled in ini)
- Draw distance maxed out for buildings, peds and flags (can be disabled in ini)
- Enables UPlay bonuses - Auditore Crypt, Altair robes, extra knifes, bonus dye (can be disabled in ini)
- Added support of all XInput controllers
- Added detection of hotplugged controllers
- Removed support of DInput controllers
- Gamepad and kb/mouse controls work at the same time (read note below)
- Added ini setting for enabling PS3-like controls
- Added ini setting to skip intro videos (without having to rename files)

Note: switching controls layout in game settings has no effect anymore, if you didn't use KeyboardMouse2 layout for keyboard, you need to change KeyboardLayout setting in EaglePatchAC2.ini

Installation

1. Download Ultimate ASI Loader: Ultimate ASI Loader[github.com] & EaglePatch AC2[github.com].
2. Put dinput8.dll from Ultimate ASI Loader into your Assassin's Creed II directory.
3. In your Assassin's Creed II directory create a folder named scripts.
4. Put EaglePatchAC2.asi and EaglePatchAC2.ini from EaglePatch AC2 into a newly created scripts folder/
5. Done! You may want to check EaglePatchAC2.ini for any settings you want to enable or disable.

Crash bug when returning to Florence for the first time

Sadly the patch has a crash issue when returning to Florence for the first time, if you encounter it, disable the patch by renaming/deleting it's file from scripts, progressing in the game and restoring it afterwards.

Configuring Steam Input

Steam Input might default to the "Keyboard (WASD) and Mouse" template which emulators keyboard and mouse using your controller for games with no or poor controller support, with this patch you no longer need to emulate and can use your controller as usual. So you need to switch to the "Gamepad" template or any other Steam Input template of your choice.

1. With a controller connected, open the game's "Controller layout" options.
   
2. Click "Template".
   
3. Select "Gamepad" or something else if you want to.
   

See Also

Also see: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2915126585 For a similar patch for AC1.

[theGoofyGooner]

@Segev ty sexy

[Segev]

@theGoofyGooner https://github.com/Sergeanur/EaglePatch/issues/20

[theGoofyGooner]

the game keeps crashing for some reason for me, atleast during the intro sequence with EaglePatch installed - any workarounds?

[mysteries]

works

[zhuweiyu]

This is just fabulous! Eliminated the need to use Cheat Engine or AC2VFM which gets false alarms from antivirus software and requires extra button pressing. And not to mention you can actually use your modern game controller with AC1/2.

[very very sirious]

there i an additional step, in case controller not recognize on steamdeck
I have test with win11 and controller work fine

Go to STEAM CLIENT > Assassin's Creed II > Properties... > General > LAUNCH OPTIONS paste the following (case sensitive): WINEDLLOVERRIDES="dinput8=n,b" %command%

found on reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/assassinscreed/comments/15kuqnq/eaglepatch_fix_for_steam_deck/

[brocoli_airpod]

All this does is give me an error and makes me re-download it again with no fix. this is crap.

[Ricco]

note to those who use AC RUS patch: it also replaces the EXE, which is why Eagle path stops working. Before installing the Russifier, you can create a backup of the original EXE, then return it back and the Eagle patch will work, however, I do not know what problems this may cause, I believe that the EXE has been changed for a more correct operation of the game with the Russifier

[Segev]

Also make sure you have enabled Steam Input support enabled for your controller type in Steam's settings. (Not shown in this guide, I kinda assumed anyone using a controller would have enabled that anyhow), and maybe try playing around with the mod's ini to verify a change there really takes effect and the mod was installed correctly.

[TheUnnamedStranger]

This does absolutely nothing. I followed the installation instructions exactly and it acted as if I didn't install it at all. Still can't bind the triggers.