The thing I dislike about Assassin's Creed (at least from the second game onwards, I forget how the first one worked) is that the "parkour" running all involves holding down a button and running at a wall. I've played several of the Prince of Persia and Tomb Raider games, and it is *so* much better when your running and jumping around actually involves a modicum of skill and control!

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if you played and enjoyed the original Assassin's Creed, you should then try Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. It's a much harder game, but the combat and parkour are both much, much better.