@GuetaMinute:
I read reviews which did in fact mention that the game is a bit more challenging than AC2 and the combat from what I've seen looks like a huge improvement.
That's what reviewers said when AC2 came out. If anything, the only improvement was enemies being less vulnerable to counters, thus making battles with mobs longer… unless you smokebomb.
It could be better, but I'm expecting the battle system to be the same drag-fest. It "is" an stealthy assassination-centered game, so it's kinda best to avoid battles with mobs(unless the main story forces you too... I hate that).
One improvemnt I really want to see is different ways to go about killing main targets. The first game sorta had this feeling when it all came down to scouting the areas in where assassinations would take place(weak sections in walls, vantage points, ect). The second game seemed like a showcase for Ezio's skills and weapons, and less about being cleaver. It didn't help that the Templars themselves were all not every memorable either.
Sorry if I seem like I'm ranting... I'm sure as hell I'll still enjoy Brotherhood. The whole story is outside the Animus is what interests me to most, even though the sequences aren't that long.