So yeah, the best way to summarize this game is as 'Assassin's Creed 1.5' and if you're a fan of AC1 or 2 and want to get a handheld version of it, Bloodlines is the way to go. Some elements from 1's information gathering missions are still translated into these missions, like having to eavesdrop which triggers a skippable cutscene or interrogations which are simple missions.

Instead of 1's rather repetitive information-gathering approach, Bloodlines opts for an approach closer to 2 where you go from linear mission to linear mission in the open world that progresses the story. The one major difference is the mission design. You have an open world (well, small segmented locations with missions separated by a loading screen but nonetheless impressive), the same combat, stealth and parkour AC1 is known for. You continue Altair's story 1 month after the events of AC1 in Cyprus.

What's most notable about this game is that it is a faithful translation of Assassin's Creed 1's gameplay and systems into PSP form with a bit of 2's mission design. Assassin's Creed Bloodlines is a PSP exclusive spin off of the Assassin's Creed franchise developed by Gryptonite Games and released at the same time as Assassin's Creed 2 in 2009.

Assassin's creed blood lines