I assumed AC2 showing up here was just a matter of time, Uplay is definitely not a reason for it not to be here, removing it is trivial.

Yes; I'd like it without the hideous DRM. I'd also play it with keyboard and mouse as I don't have a joypad - played the first one this way, and it was fine.

When talking about new PC games (with gamepad support), make sure your gamepad is fully XInput/XBox360 compliant.

I am unsure if that one is. At least it will give you a bit of problem if the game asks you to press an orange "Y" button, and you go "Huh?". Or if the game expects you to use the shoulder trigger buttons as analog throttle/brake buttons, like many new driving games do.

So I would rather recomment something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-940-000110-Gamepad-F310/dp/B003VAHYQY/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1377431542&sr=1-1&keywords=f310

It supports easily both the old DirectInput gamepad games, and the new XBox360 compliant XInput games.

That was very useful when I as e.g. trying out the four Prince of Persia games on GOG. It turns out that the first two or three games in the series work much better with DirectInput (PS2-like) controls, while the last one(s) are clearly targeted to XBox360/XInput controllers. Logitech F310 handles both fine, just need to change the mode with the switch on the controller before starting the game.

I agree - the 2nd installment and the spin offs (brotherhood/revelations) were the best in the series. AC3 is a technical marvel but the actual gameplay was frustrating and the micromanagement was just plain dull.

Even though they removed the always online thing it would be super nice to see the game here completely DRM free. AC2 is probably the best game in the series still.