This is also "Old News" - but I just found out about it. I *LOVED* AC2 when it first came out. I never played AC1, so I didn't have any preconceived notions about the game, I guess a lot of the AC1 old timers didn't like it so much, but I thought it was amazing. I'm sure it looks very dated now, but it used the same Turbine game engine that LOTRO uses - basically LOTRO's older brother...
To get in, you have to have an active AC1 subscription, but no additional cost beyond that.
http://www.polygon.com/2012/12/13/3764538/asherons-call-2-back-online-released-free-by-turbine
Official Asheron's Call website (AC2 info in the forums, and Client in Downloads)
https://www.asheronscall.com/en