As expected, Microsoft has now made Assassin's Creed 2 available to download for free for a limited period of time. This game is part of the "Games with Gold" program that is strictly for Xbox Live users with a Gold membership.

The Games with Gold program seems to be Microsoft's way of challenging PlayStation's PS Plus subscription service that has offered free games since launch. Many also believe that Microsoft are doing the Games with Gold campaign to try and claw back any customers they may have lost at their terrible pre-E3 event.

Although Assassin's Creed 2 is pretty old now, it still stands as a good, enjoyable game, and when not for free, can cost $20 to download digitally from the Xbox marketplace. However second copies from retailers such as Gamestop are probably selling the game for less than $10, and perhaps even less than $5 depending on the demand for the old game.

Players have so far managed to grab Fable III, Defense Grid: The Awakening and Assassin's Creed 2 for free.