Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Assassin's Creed II

2010-01-31T19:16:25Z

98.232.179.138:

{{Featured}}
{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed II
|image = ac2cover.jpg
|Developer = Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Singapore
|Publisher = [[Ubisoft]]
|US Date Released = November 17, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/e3-assassins-creed-2-gets-release-date</ref> (PS3, 360), March 16, 2010 (PC)
|UK Date Released = November 20, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date"/> (PS3, 360), Q1 2010 (PC)
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = M (Mature)
|Platform = PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|Media = DVD, Blu-ray Disc
|Website = http://www.assassinscreed.com
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed II''''' is a [[wikipedia:Open_world|sandbox style]] action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by [[Ubisoft]]. It was released on November 17, 2009 (US), November 19, 2009 (AU) and November 20, 2009 (Worldwide) on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PC version has been confirmed to be released on March 16 in North America[http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/assassins-creed-2-pc-specs-date-revealed/]. A special version of the game will also be released on the Nintendo DS.

A direct sequel to ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', the game is focused again on [[Desmond Miles]] after he escapes [[Abstergo Industries]] with employee [[Lucy Stillman]]. In an attempt to thwart Abstergo and the modern-day [[Templars]], Desmond uses a device almost identical to the [[Animus]] to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who lived in Italy during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The player controls Desmond, to a degree, but primarily Ezio, who becomes an Assassin after his family is betrayed. While controlling Ezio, the player can explore renditions of major Italian regions and cities through a mixture of action, stealth, and economic gameplay.

==Gameplay==

''Assassin's Creed II'' is similar to its predecessor in many ways. The game is nonlinear and can be considered "sandbox style" due to the player's ability to freely roam the generated renditions of Italy. The [[Animus]] is replaced with the Animus 2.0 which, unlike the first, possesses an in-game database with historical information about encountered landmarks, characters, services, and glyphs.

The player is now also capable of swimming and [[Eagle Vision]] has been updated to allow for third-person view and use while the character is moving. A young version of Leonardo da Vinci is included in the game and translates [[Codex|Codex pages]] left behind by [[Altaïr]], allowing for weapon upgrades. Other weapons, such as swords, daggers, and maces, can also be purchased throughout the game as well. Leonardo further contributes to game play with the inclusion of his flying machine in one of the game's missions. The player is also able to use gondolas and ride horses that are found.

[[File:Zw-model-of-city.png|thumb|left|New economic system allows player to profit from city renovations and upgrades.]][[Monteriggioni]], the Auditore family's villa, acts as Ezio's primary headquarters throughout the game and a new economic system allows for the property to be upgraded and enhanced, creating income for the player at twenty minute intervals. As shops within Monteriggioni are renovated and upgraded, Ezio receives discounts on the particular goods that are sold. As more property is enhanced, the amount of income is increased with income also being affected by the purchase of paintings, armor and weapon sets and collections of various items. Such items are displayed throughout the villa as they are collected and Ezio's personal room is updated with portraits of his assassinations as the game progresses.

The combat system for the game has been updated and allows for further options, such as disarming opponents. There also more methods of hiding (the player is able to dive underwater to break line of sight with an enemy) and blending may be performed with any small group of individuals rather than with specific people. Ezio is capable of learning new modes of assassination, such as ambushing individuals when hiding in haystacks or pulling individuals off buildings to fall to their deaths. There are also several types of enemies, some more agile or stronger than others. Ezio can also use smoke bombs and hire groups of thieves, courtesans, or mercenaries to aid him in covering his tracks and avoiding contact with guards. Health in the game is measured via synchronization and minor wounds will heal automatically. Major wounds must be healed by side-street doctors or with medicine purchased from the same.

The game introduces a new system known as notoriety. Depending on his behavior, current location, and current mission, Ezio will become more recognizable by citizens of the city, specifically guards. When the notoriety icon is empty, Ezio is known as "incognito" and may travel through the city as he pleases. As the player behaves in more "socially unacceptable" ways or due to the consequences of a particular mission, the player will become more noticeable by the guards and more likely to be pursued by them. Notoriety can be decreased by bribing city heralds, assassinating corrupt city officials, and removing wanted posters. The level of notoriety is set within each city, so that while the player may be completely unknown in some cities, he may be infamous in others.

Like its predecessor, the game features the same ability to climb buildings and perform [[Leap of Faith|Leaps of Faith]] into haystacks and carts of soft materials. Climbing has been updated to allow Ezio the opportunity to learn to leap while climbing, allowing him to reach higher positions previously unavailable.

[[File:Ac23.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] scaling a building in [[Florence]] during the night]]

A day and night cycle has been added to the game and the player will notice the sun rising and setting throughout game play. In addition, specific missions and game events at certain times of the day and night.

Due to complaints of the some of the missions in the original game, the mission system has been expanded and structured a little differently. There is approximately 200 missions in the entire game with roughly half of them being relevant to the primary storyline. Side quests include the location and search of hidden areas which upon exploration and successful completion will reward the player with seals of past Assassins. A full collection of six seals rewards the player with the armor of Altaïr.

The game also possesses a system mildly similar to the "glitches" from ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where pressing a specific button during a cutscene will produce specific changes and actions within the scene.

==Plot==
{{Spoiler}}
The game begins approximately 1-2 hours after the events of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where, in the year 2012, [[Desmond Miles]] is being held prisoner by the modern-day [[Templars|Knights Templar]] in [[Abstergo Industries]], after being forced to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr]], to aid Abstergo in the location of artifacts known collectively as "[[Pieces of Eden]]".

Due to the "[[bleeding effect]]", Desmond has gained [[Eagle Vision]], enabling him to see a variety of messages and symbols written in blood on his bedroom wall by its former occupant, known only as "[[Subject 16]]". While staring at the message, former employee and researcher of Abstergo, [[Lucy Stillman]] arrives, covered in blood, and frees Desmond from the room. He reenters the Animus briefly as she makes a copy of the files located within the machine. The two escape after a brief scuffle with the guards and arrive at a factory where Lucy and two other modern Assassins, [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] have set up their own base of operations, complete with their own version of an Animus.

[[File:Zw-hideout.png|thumb|Desmond enters the Animus 2.0 to access Ezio's memories.]]Desmond is asked to enter their version of the Animus and relive the genetic memory of his ancestor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] in order to continue the search for the remaining Pieces of Eden before Abstergo locates them. The number in the Assassins Order seriously dwindling, Lucy informs Desmond that she intends to train Desmond in the various skills needed to become an Assassin by exploiting the bleeding effect and having Desmond absorb Ezio's abilities.

Ezio, living in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy Italy] during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance Renaissance], approximately 300 years after Altaïr's time, is approximately 17-years-old when he discovers that his family was betrayed by a close friend of his father's in the midst of a political plot. Ezio is ultimately unable to save his brothers and father from said betrayal and all three are convicted of treason and hung.

Ezio's father's final instructions lead him to a hidden room in the family home with a chest containing the clothing and weapons of an Assassin. Ezio brings his panicked sister and now mute mother to the family's countryside villa where they are given shelter by Ezio's uncle [[Mario]], who begins training Ezio to become an Assassin. Mario also provides information and leads on the conspirators involved in his family's betrayal, which becomes a trail stretching from Florence to San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and eventually the Vatican.

During his travels, Ezio befriends several citizens of Italy who aid him in his pursuit for revenge, including a young [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who translates and decodes pages of Altaïr's [[Codex]], enabling Ezio to gain new weapons and assassination skills. Ezio begins slowly locating and assassinating the conspirators involved and is ultimately able to identify [[Rodrigo Borgia]] as the overall leader, whose main goal is to bring down the [[Medici]] family and take control of various portions of Italy.

Ezio tracks Borgia to Venice and discovers Borgia has obtained the Piece of Eden known only as the "Apple", a piece that Altaïr possessed almost three centuries prior. Borgia has been researching the knowledge surrounding the Pieces of Eden extensively and believes himself to be a prophet named in the documentation of the pieces, which would ultimately lead him and other Templars to a location known only as "[[The Vault]]", which is believed to contain powerful information and more Piec[[File:Zw-renaissance-assassins.png|thumb|left|Surviving Assassins meet with Ezio to officially induct him into order.]]es of Eden.

Ezio and Borgia duel and when Ezio gains the upper hand, guards appear and begin to move the fight into the favor of Borgia. The allies that Ezio has made over the years arrive shortly after and they defeat Borgia, who flees for fear of his life, leaving the Apple behind. The allies and friends of Ezio finally reveal their common trait — that they are all members of the Assassins Order, including the great Niccolò Machiavelli. They induct Ezio into the Order, informing him that they believe him to be the actual prophet who will lead not the Templars but the Assassins to the Vault.

[[File:Zw-desmond-bleeding.png|thumb|Desmond successfully assimilates Ezio's free running abilities.]]Desmond takes short breaks from the Animus and during one is tested by Lucy to see if the bleeding effect has been working. Desmond is able to demonstrate all of Ezio's skills, indicating that he has absorbed years worth of abilities in only a matter of hours. During this break, however, Desmond suffers a strange hallucination which returns him to the body of Altaïr in [[Acre]]. During the memory, Altaïr makes love to Maria, a Templar, and Desmond is confused to find that after Altaïr leaves, the memory stays behind with Maria.

Throughout the genetic memories, as Ezio, Desmond discovers multiple glyphs placed on various landmarks that are only visible to someone using the Animus. The glyphs are found to be the same ones drawn on Desmond's bedroom wall in Abstergo, and analysis reveals that they contain computer code, hidden in the Animus. It is ultimately discovered that Subject 16 hacked the Animus and placed the glyphs within the memories himself, which were carried over to the new Animus when Lucy loaded the information she had recovered at Abstergo. Each glyph contained a great number of historical artworks, photographs, and messages, past and present, implicating a great number of prominent events and figures with the Templars, and Pieces of Eden. Each also contained a puzzle of some sort which when solved contained clips of a larger video. The clips, however, are short and out of sequence. After locating and solving all twenty glyphs, [[The Truth|a video is revealed]].

The video begins with the Abstergo logo shown above the title, "Subject 16, Session 12, Classified Date B.C.E." The video follows a man and woman, who call each other by the names of [[Adam and Eve|"Adam" and "Eve"]], running through a strangely modern and futuristic world, apparently being chased by someone or something. They pass through a complex where workers are busy building more Pieces of Eden and climb to the roof. Eve holds up the Apple and the video suddenly ends with a flash of binary code that translates to "EDEN".

Desmond returns to the Animus and the team finds that many of the following memories are corrupted. They are able to begin again but only years after the fight between the Assassins and Borgia. The memories restart in 1499 and the team discovers that Borgia gained influence and power in the Catholic Church, ultimately becoming Pope Alexander VI. Ezio and his allies have searched long and hard and collected all thirty pages of the Codex and discover through it that the Vault lies in Rome, specifically under the Vatican. They realize that the Papal Staff is another Piece of Eden and Borgia is hoping to use it to achieve access to the Vault.

Ezio travels to the Vatican City and attempts to assassinate Borgia. However, Borgia uses the Staff against Ezio who retaliates with the Apple. During the ensuing battle, Ezio is stabbed and Borgia escapes with both Pieces of Eden. Ezio chases after him and finds Borgia trying to open the Vault in vain. The two fight once more and Borgia finally falls. However, Ezio refuses to kill him, insisting he has killed enough in his life and the continued deaths will not reverse the deaths of his family.

[[File:Zw-vault-2.png|thumb|left|Ezio enters the Vault to find a message for his descendant.]]Ezio proves himself to be the Prophet when in his hands, the Apple and Staff open the Vault and Ezio steps inside. Inside the Vault, he finds not Pieces of Eden but an empty room and a holographic figure claiming to be [[Minerva]]. She claims that she brought Ezio to her so that almost six hundred years later, Desmond and his allies would hear her words through the Animus.

Minerva explains that she and her race were [[Those Who Came Before|part of an advanced society]] that settled on Earth before a celestial event that destroyed most of the life on Earth. The remaining members of her species rebuilt the world as best they could and created humans in their own image. The two races lived side by side for a time before eventually coming to war. The humans seemingly won and those remaining of the advanced race sealed themselves in temples around the world, hoping to prevent the same disaster that had destroyed most of their kind from occurring once more. As Minerva finishes, she speaks to Desmond by name and informs him that she has done all she needs to and the rest remains up him and his allies.

The memory ends and Desmond awakes in the present to find that Abstergo has located and begun attacking the Assassins as Shaun and Rebecca pull him out of the Animus. Desmond is given a hidden blade by Lucy and the two run downstairs to stop the guards as Shaun and Rebecca pack up their equipment. With the skills he absorbed from Ezio, Desmond is able to dispatch the forces that have been sent against them and he discovers [[Warren Vidic]] standing in the back of a truck. He sarcastically tells Desmond to enjoy his temporary victory and the truck drives away. Shaun and Rebecca finish gathering the equipment and Lucy assures Desmond that Vidic will get what he deserves.

The group vacates the hideout and head north to a cabin where, according to Lucy, they should be safe for some time. As they drive, Lucy prepares to review the tapes of Desmond's latest session, noting how the situation has escalated dramatically and how Minerva's words proved everything she was afraid of. She theorizes that Minerva was discussing the Earth's geomagnetic reversal, which could have detrimental effects on the planet. Rebecca prepares the Animus for Desmond to reenter as Lucy speculates there may be more to discover in his memories.

{{Spoiler End}}

==Development==

On January 22 2008, it was confirmed by [[Ubisoft]] that ''Assassin's Creed II'' was in production, but no details were revealed. A promotional video was released by Ubisoft on April 6 showing a map of Italy, some hidden blade designs, and DaVinci's flying machine on a scroll. On the official site after the teaser is viewed a symbol is given to print and show in front of a webcam. Doing this will unlock a picture displayed on the site. 4 of the 5 symbols have been given by Ubisoft, and the other was found by a fan. Later, on April 10, Game Informer magazine released details on the game, as well as pictures of Ezio. There are about 240 team members, some of these members were sent to Italy, traveling through Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. ScrewAttack also released a video with some of the pictures from the magazine. In early May, Ubisoft has stated that they are putting full emphasis on the game and that 450 team members are now working on the title. 75% of the original developers for the original game are now working on the second.

==Limited Editions==
===The White Edition===
[[File:Cat acwhitecontent.jpg|thumb|175px|White Edition PS3]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Collectible White Packaging
*Bonus in-game playable content
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]

This version is in only available in parts of Europe, as well as Australia. <ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch|http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch]</ref> Also, this version was sold in South Korea as limited pre-order edition from December 10 through December 15 only for the PS3 console. <ref>[http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1|http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1]</ref>

===The Black Edition===
[[File:UK Black Edition AC2 xbox360.jpg|thumb|180px|Black Edition Xbox 360]]
* "Master Assassin" upgrade [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine with black collectors box
* 3 in-game bonus quests, allowing the character to explore the following:
**[[Palazzo Medici]] in Florence
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]] In Venice
**[[Arsenal Shipyard]] Warehouse In Venice
* "Conspiracy book": A book from the developers of the game, describing the development, and the storyline (with extra commentary on the "conspiracy"). 64 pages, hardcover, "leather style".
* DVD with all the videos, behind-the-scene interviews and "e-goodies" about Assassin's Creed II and game soundtrack by Jesper Kyd (British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominee for "2009 Best Original Score in a Game").
* Black packaging with unique holographic signature

This edition of the game will be made available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.<ref>[http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/assassins-creed-ii-black-edition/ Gamespy]</ref> It is confirmed for Europe, as well as Australia<ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14740&refer=productsearch EBGames Australia]</ref> and certain Asian nations like South Korea<ref>[http://www.gamemeca.com/news/news_view.html?seq=27&ymd=20091118&page=1&point_ck=&search_ym=&sort_type=&search_text=&send= GameMeca]</ref>. (However, 360 version will be the only version available.). Retail price £70.

===The Master Assassin Edition===
[[File:ACII CELG.jpg|thumb|180px|The Master Assassin’s Edition Xbox 360]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Artbook: The Art of [[Assassin's Creed]]
*Premium Collectible Metal Case
*Two In-Game Maps:
**[[Palazzo Medici]]
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]
*Additional Content DVD with Behind the Scenes of Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II Soundtrack

This edition can be bought in North America.<ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654 http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654]</ref>

Several days before the release of Assassin's Creed II, EBGames Australia offered an unlock code for Palazzo Medici when you preordered the normal edition.

The two bonus maps are not so much maps as bonus missions which are contained within their own maps. The Palazzo Medici map has Ezio rescuing Lorenzo De Medici from Templar soldiers who have invaded his home, for which Ezio receives a substantial monetary reward. The Santa Maria Dei Frari map is very similar to the Assassin's tomb maps which are found elsewhere in the game, although there is no Assassin's seal to retrieve at the end; there is only a monetary reward.

==Interconnectivity==
''Assassin's Creed II'' has the ability to connect to ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' which, once connected, will provide upgrades to both games. When you defeat a boss in ''Bloodlines'' you will receive the boss' corresponding weapon in the Villa. You also get extra ''florins'' depending on how many Templar Coins you have found in ''Bloodlines''.

{|width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="30%"|Name
!scope="col" width="30%"|Unlocked by
!scope="col" width="40%"|Description
|-
!Templar Coins
|Collecting Templar Coins throughout [[Cyprus]]
|Converts the Templar Coins into ''florins''.
|-
!Maria Thorpe’s Longsword
|Defeat [[Maria Thorpe]]
|
|-
!Fredrick’s Hammer
|Defeat [[Fredrick]]
|
|-
!Mace of the Bull
|Defeat [[Moloch]]
|
|-
!Dark Oracle’s Bone Dagger
|Defeat [[Dark Oracle]]
|
|-
!Twins Rapier
|Defeat [[Shalim]] and [[Shahar]]
|
|-
!Bouchart’s Blade
|Defeat [[Armand Bouchart]]
|
|}

==Sequel==
Even before the release of ''Assassin's Creed II'', discussion of the details about a possible ''Assassin's Creed III'' were already ongoing.

Scriptwriter Corey Mays has recently stated that the developers wish to keep the settings of the games those that are normally unvisited in most video games. Some postulated settings include the Middle Ages (specifically the time frame of King Arthur) or feudal Japan. <ref>[http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/10/gaming-rumor-assassins-creed-3-to-be-set-in-feudal-japan.html|Assassin's Creed III to be set in Feudal Japan?]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.ign.com/UbiAssassinsCreed/2009/10/22/131037/|UbiAssassinsCreed's Blog]</ref>

On January 13, 2010, Ubisoft revealed a new title tentatively titled ''Assassin's Creed II Episodes'' to be supposedly released between April 2010 and March 2011. The game is not an actual sequel or expansive pack to the original ''Assassin's Creed II'', but will once again feature the genetic memories of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and will contain a new online multiplayer mode.

==Awards==
===Won===
*'''Spike TV Video Game Awards'''
:*"''Best Action-Adventure Game''"
*'''IGN Best of 2009'''
:*"''Xbox 360 Game of the Year''"
:*"''Xbox 360 Best Action Game''"
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best New Character - [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]''"
:*"''Best Xbox 360 Game''"

===Nominated===
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best Action/Adventure Game''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Story''" - ''Lost to: Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason''
:*"''Best Graphics Technical''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Original Music''" - ''Lost to: Afro Samurai''
:*"''Best Improved Sequel''" - ''Lost to: Killzone 2''

== Trivia ==
*It is suspected that the part of Assassin's Creed in the present takes place in Italy, considering that the outside of the hideout looks almost exactly like Florence in Ezio's time, and that the underground parking lot in Abstergo and the Assassin's hideout have signs that have words in Italian, including "sezione", which means "section" in English. In Abstergo's garage there are signs in Italian saying "Parcheggio riservato" meaning "Reserved parking" and "Altezza totale" meaning "Altitude". In the end of Assassins Creed II Lucy says that they can hide out in a cabin north and Rebecca later says that it's a long drive meaning that the cabin is possibly in Austria or Germany or Switzerland.
*The game takes place only two days after the end of [[Assassins Creed|the previous game]] on September 8th 2012. [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] goes to sleep only once meaning that the [[Assassins]] leave the warehouse on September 9th 2012.
*During an interview for G4, one of the creators said that the game starts 1-2 hours after AC1 ended.
*Compared with the previous game the period is stretched over 40 years compared with the one year.
*Assassin's creed II is similar to Fable 2. The hero of the game is shown with their siblings, the hero wanted revenge, the hero gets training, and the hero looks for the other heroes (Ezio looks for the other assassins while the hero of Bowerstone looks for the heroes).

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/ Official Website]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/episode/view/season/19/episode/207/segment/2/start/1 VIDEO: Electric Playground Interview with Assassin's Creed 2 Creative Director Patrice Desilets]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/feature/16519 ARTICLE: Electric Playground Preview of Assassin's Creed 2]

{{ACII}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]

Assassin's Creed II

2010-01-30T08:03:21Z

98.232.179.138:

{{Featured}}
{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed II
|image = ac2cover.jpg
|Developer = Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Singapore
|Publisher = [[Ubisoft]]
|US Date Released = November 17, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/e3-assassins-creed-2-gets-release-date</ref> (PS3, 360), March 16, 2010 (PC)
|UK Date Released = November 20, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date"/> (PS3, 360), Q1 2010 (PC)
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = M (Mature)
|Platform = PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|Media = DVD, Blu-ray Disc
|Website = http://www.assassinscreed.com
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed II''''' is a [[wikipedia:Open_world|sandbox style]] action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by [[Ubisoft]]. It was released on November 17, 2009 (US), November 19, 2009 (AU) and November 20, 2009 (Worldwide) on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PC version has been confirmed to be released on March 16 in North America. A special version of the game will also be released on the Nintendo DS.

A direct sequel to ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', the game is focused again on [[Desmond Miles]] after he escapes [[Abstergo Industries]] with employee [[Lucy Stillman]]. In an attempt to thwart Abstergo and the modern-day [[Templars]], Desmond uses a device almost identical to the [[Animus]] to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who lived in Italy during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The player controls Desmond, to a degree, but primarily Ezio, who becomes an Assassin after his family is betrayed. While controlling Ezio, the player can explore renditions of major Italian regions and cities through a mixture of action, stealth, and economic gameplay.

==Gameplay==

''Assassin's Creed II'' is similar to its predecessor in many ways. The game is nonlinear and can be considered "sandbox style" due to the player's ability to freely roam the generated renditions of Italy. The [[Animus]] is replaced with the Animus 2.0 which, unlike the first, possesses an in-game database with historical information about encountered landmarks, characters, services, and glyphs.

The player is now also capable of swimming and [[Eagle Vision]] has been updated to allow for third-person view and use while the character is moving. A young version of Leonardo da Vinci is included in the game and translates [[Codex|Codex pages]] left behind by [[Altaïr]], allowing for weapon upgrades. Other weapons, such as swords, daggers, and maces, can also be purchased throughout the game as well. Leonardo further contributes to game play with the inclusion of his flying machine in one of the game's missions. The player is also able to use gondolas and ride horses that are found.

[[File:Zw-model-of-city.png|thumb|left|New economic system allows player to profit from city renovations and upgrades.]][[Monteriggioni]], the Auditore family's villa, acts as Ezio's primary headquarters throughout the game and a new economic system allows for the property to be upgraded and enhanced, creating income for the player at twenty minute intervals. As shops within Monteriggioni are renovated and upgraded, Ezio receives discounts on the particular goods that are sold. As more property is enhanced, the amount of income is increased with income also being affected by the purchase of paintings, armor and weapon sets and collections of various items. Such items are displayed throughout the villa as they are collected and Ezio's personal room is updated with portraits of his assassinations as the game progresses.

The combat system for the game has been updated and allows for further options, such as disarming opponents. There also more methods of hiding (the player is able to dive underwater to break line of sight with an enemy) and blending may be performed with any small group of individuals rather than with specific people. Ezio is capable of learning new modes of assassination, such as ambushing individuals when hiding in haystacks or pulling individuals off buildings to fall to their deaths. There are also several types of enemies, some more agile or stronger than others. Ezio can also use smoke bombs and hire groups of thieves, courtesans, or mercenaries to aid him in covering his tracks and avoiding contact with guards. Health in the game is measured via synchronization and minor wounds will heal automatically. Major wounds must be healed by side-street doctors or with medicine purchased from the same.

The game introduces a new system known as notoriety. Depending on his behavior, current location, and current mission, Ezio will become more recognizable by citizens of the city, specifically guards. When the notoriety icon is empty, Ezio is known as "incognito" and may travel through the city as he pleases. As the player behaves in more "socially unacceptable" ways or due to the consequences of a particular mission, the player will become more noticeable by the guards and more likely to be pursued by them. Notoriety can be decreased by bribing city heralds, assassinating corrupt city officials, and removing wanted posters. The level of notoriety is set within each city, so that while the player may be completely unknown in some cities, he may be infamous in others.

Like its predecessor, the game features the same ability to climb buildings and perform [[Leap of Faith|Leaps of Faith]] into haystacks and carts of soft materials. Climbing has been updated to allow Ezio the opportunity to learn to leap while climbing, allowing him to reach higher positions previously unavailable.

[[File:Ac23.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] scaling a building in [[Florence]] during the night]]

A day and night cycle has been added to the game and the player will notice the sun rising and setting throughout game play. In addition, specific missions and game events at certain times of the day and night.

Due to complaints of the some of the missions in the original game, the mission system has been expanded and structured a little differently. There is approximately 200 missions in the entire game with roughly half of them being relevant to the primary storyline. Side quests include the location and search of hidden areas which upon exploration and successful completion will reward the player with seals of past Assassins. A full collection of six seals rewards the player with the armor of Altaïr.

The game also possesses a system mildly similar to the "glitches" from ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where pressing a specific button during a cutscene will produce specific changes and actions within the scene.

==Plot==
{{Spoiler}}
The game begins approximately 1-2 hours after the events of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where, in the year 2012, [[Desmond Miles]] is being held prisoner by the modern-day [[Templars|Knights Templar]] in [[Abstergo Industries]], after being forced to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr]], to aid Abstergo in the location of artifacts known collectively as "[[Pieces of Eden]]".

Due to the "[[bleeding effect]]", Desmond has gained [[Eagle Vision]], enabling him to see a variety of messages and symbols written in blood on his bedroom wall by its former occupant, known only as "[[Subject 16]]". While staring at the message, former employee and researcher of Abstergo, [[Lucy Stillman]] arrives, covered in blood, and frees Desmond from the room. He reenters the Animus briefly as she makes a copy of the files located within the machine. The two escape after a brief scuffle with the guards and arrive at a factory where Lucy and two other modern Assassins, [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] have set up their own base of operations, complete with their own version of an Animus.

[[File:Zw-hideout.png|thumb|Desmond enters the Animus 2.0 to access Ezio's memories.]]Desmond is asked to enter their version of the Animus and relive the genetic memory of his ancestor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] in order to continue the search for the remaining Pieces of Eden before Abstergo locates them. The number in the Assassins Order seriously dwindling, Lucy informs Desmond that she intends to train Desmond in the various skills needed to become an Assassin by exploiting the bleeding effect and having Desmond absorb Ezio's abilities.

Ezio, living in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy Italy] during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance Renaissance], approximately 300 years after Altaïr's time, is approximately 17-years-old when he discovers that his family was betrayed by a close friend of his father's in the midst of a political plot. Ezio is ultimately unable to save his brothers and father from said betrayal and all three are convicted of treason and hung.

Ezio's father's final instructions lead him to a hidden room in the family home with a chest containing the clothing and weapons of an Assassin. Ezio brings his panicked sister and now mute mother to the family's countryside villa where they are given shelter by Ezio's uncle [[Mario]], who begins training Ezio to become an Assassin. Mario also provides information and leads on the conspirators involved in his family's betrayal, which becomes a trail stretching from Florence to San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and eventually the Vatican.

During his travels, Ezio befriends several citizens of Italy who aid him in his pursuit for revenge, including a young [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who translates and decodes pages of Altaïr's [[Codex]], enabling Ezio to gain new weapons and assassination skills. Ezio begins slowly locating and assassinating the conspirators involved and is ultimately able to identify [[Rodrigo Borgia]] as the overall leader, whose main goal is to bring down the [[Medici]] family and take control of various portions of Italy.

Ezio tracks Borgia to Venice and discovers Borgia has obtained the Piece of Eden known only as the "Apple", a piece that Altaïr possessed almost three centuries prior. Borgia has been researching the knowledge surrounding the Pieces of Eden extensively and believes himself to be a prophet named in the documentation of the pieces, which would ultimately lead him and other Templars to a location known only as "[[The Vault]]", which is believed to contain powerful information and more Piec[[File:Zw-renaissance-assassins.png|thumb|left|Surviving Assassins meet with Ezio to officially induct him into order.]]es of Eden.

Ezio and Borgia duel and when Ezio gains the upper hand, guards appear and begin to move the fight into the favor of Borgia. The allies that Ezio has made over the years arrive shortly after and they defeat Borgia, who flees for fear of his life, leaving the Apple behind. The allies and friends of Ezio finally reveal their common trait — that they are all members of the Assassins Order, including the great Niccolò Machiavelli. They induct Ezio into the Order, informing him that they believe him to be the actual prophet who will lead not the Templars but the Assassins to the Vault.

[[File:Zw-desmond-bleeding.png|thumb|Desmond successfully assimilates Ezio's free running abilities.]]Desmond takes short breaks from the Animus and during one is tested by Lucy to see if the bleeding effect has been working. Desmond is able to demonstrate all of Ezio's skills, indicating that he has absorbed years worth of abilities in only a matter of hours. During this break, however, Desmond suffers a strange hallucination which returns him to the body of Altaïr in [[Acre]]. During the memory, Altaïr makes love to Maria, a Templar, and Desmond is confused to find that after Altaïr leaves, the memory stays behind with Maria.

Throughout the genetic memories, as Ezio, Desmond discovers multiple glyphs placed on various landmarks that are only visible to someone using the Animus. The glyphs are found to be the same ones drawn on Desmond's bedroom wall in Abstergo, and analysis reveals that they contain computer code, hidden in the Animus. It is ultimately discovered that Subject 16 hacked the Animus and placed the glyphs within the memories himself, which were carried over to the new Animus when Lucy loaded the information she had recovered at Abstergo. Each glyph contained a great number of historical artworks, photographs, and messages, past and present, implicating a great number of prominent events and figures with the Templars, and Pieces of Eden. Each also contained a puzzle of some sort which when solved contained clips of a larger video. The clips, however, are short and out of sequence. After locating and solving all twenty glyphs, [[The Truth|a video is revealed]].

The video begins with the Abstergo logo shown above the title, "Subject 16, Session 12, Classified Date B.C.E." The video follows a man and woman, who call each other by the names of [[Adam and Eve|"Adam" and "Eve"]], running through a strangely modern and futuristic world, apparently being chased by someone or something. They pass through a complex where workers are busy building more Pieces of Eden and climb to the roof. Eve holds up the Apple and the video suddenly ends with a flash of binary code that translates to "EDEN".

Desmond returns to the Animus and the team finds that many of the following memories are corrupted. They are able to begin again but only years after the fight between the Assassins and Borgia. The memories restart in 1499 and the team discovers that Borgia gained influence and power in the Catholic Church, ultimately becoming Pope Alexander VI. Ezio and his allies have searched long and hard and collected all thirty pages of the Codex and discover through it that the Vault lies in Rome, specifically under the Vatican. They realize that the Papal Staff is another Piece of Eden and Borgia is hoping to use it to achieve access to the Vault.

Ezio travels to the Vatican City and attempts to assassinate Borgia. However, Borgia uses the Staff against Ezio who retaliates with the Apple. During the ensuing battle, Ezio is stabbed and Borgia escapes with both Pieces of Eden. Ezio chases after him and finds Borgia trying to open the Vault in vain. The two fight once more and Borgia finally falls. However, Ezio refuses to kill him, insisting he has killed enough in his life and the continued deaths will not reverse the deaths of his family.

[[File:Zw-vault-2.png|thumb|left|Ezio enters the Vault to find a message for his descendant.]]Ezio proves himself to be the Prophet when in his hands, the Apple and Staff open the Vault and Ezio steps inside. Inside the Vault, he finds not Pieces of Eden but an empty room and a holographic figure claiming to be [[Minerva]]. She claims that she brought Ezio to her so that almost six hundred years later, Desmond and his allies would hear her words through the Animus.

Minerva explains that she and her race were [[Those Who Came Before|part of an advanced society]] that settled on Earth before a celestial event that destroyed most of the life on Earth. The remaining members of her species rebuilt the world as best they could and created humans in their own image. The two races lived side by side for a time before eventually coming to war. The humans seemingly won and those remaining of the advanced race sealed themselves in temples around the world, hoping to prevent the same disaster that had destroyed most of their kind from occurring once more. As Minerva finishes, she speaks to Desmond by name and informs him that she has done all she needs to and the rest remains up him and his allies.

The memory ends and Desmond awakes in the present to find that Abstergo has located and begun attacking the Assassins as Shaun and Rebecca pull him out of the Animus. Desmond is given a hidden blade by Lucy and the two run downstairs to stop the guards as Shaun and Rebecca pack up their equipment. With the skills he absorbed from Ezio, Desmond is able to dispatch the forces that have been sent against them and he discovers [[Warren Vidic]] standing in the back of a truck. He sarcastically tells Desmond to enjoy his temporary victory and the truck drives away. Shaun and Rebecca finish gathering the equipment and Lucy assures Desmond that Vidic will get what he deserves.

The group vacates the hideout and head north to a cabin where, according to Lucy, they should be safe for some time. As they drive, Lucy prepares to review the tapes of Desmond's latest session, noting how the situation has escalated dramatically and how Minerva's words proved everything she was afraid of. She theorizes that Minerva was discussing the Earth's geomagnetic reversal, which could have detrimental effects on the planet. Rebecca prepares the Animus for Desmond to reenter as Lucy speculates there may be more to discover in his memories.

{{Spoiler End}}

==Development==

On January 22 2008, it was confirmed by [[Ubisoft]] that ''Assassin's Creed II'' was in production, but no details were revealed. A promotional video was released by Ubisoft on April 6 showing a map of Italy, some hidden blade designs, and DaVinci's flying machine on a scroll. On the official site after the teaser is viewed a symbol is given to print and show in front of a webcam. Doing this will unlock a picture displayed on the site. 4 of the 5 symbols have been given by Ubisoft, and the other was found by a fan. Later, on April 10, Game Informer magazine released details on the game, as well as pictures of Ezio. There are about 240 team members, some of these members were sent to Italy, traveling through Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. ScrewAttack also released a video with some of the pictures from the magazine. In early May, Ubisoft has stated that they are putting full emphasis on the game and that 450 team members are now working on the title. 75% of the original developers for the original game are now working on the second.

==Limited Editions==
===The White Edition===
[[File:Cat acwhitecontent.jpg|thumb|175px|White Edition PS3]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Collectible White Packaging
*Bonus in-game playable content
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]

This version is in only available in parts of Europe, as well as Australia. <ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch|http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch]</ref> Also, this version was sold in South Korea as limited pre-order edition from December 10 through December 15 only for the PS3 console. <ref>[http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1|http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1]</ref>

===The Black Edition===
[[File:UK Black Edition AC2 xbox360.jpg|thumb|180px|Black Edition Xbox 360]]
* "Master Assassin" upgrade [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine with black collectors box
* 3 in-game bonus quests, allowing the character to explore the following:
**[[Palazzo Medici]] in Florence
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]] In Venice
**[[Arsenal Shipyard]] Warehouse In Venice
* "Conspiracy book": A book from the developers of the game, describing the development, and the storyline (with extra commentary on the "conspiracy"). 64 pages, hardcover, "leather style".
* DVD with all the videos, behind-the-scene interviews and "e-goodies" about Assassin's Creed II and game soundtrack by Jesper Kyd (British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominee for "2009 Best Original Score in a Game").
* Black packaging with unique holographic signature

This edition of the game will be made available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.<ref>[http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/assassins-creed-ii-black-edition/ Gamespy]</ref> It is confirmed for Europe, as well as Australia<ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14740&refer=productsearch EBGames Australia]</ref> and certain Asian nations like South Korea<ref>[http://www.gamemeca.com/news/news_view.html?seq=27&ymd=20091118&page=1&point_ck=&search_ym=&sort_type=&search_text=&send= GameMeca]</ref>. (However, 360 version will be the only version available.). Retail price £70.

===The Master Assassin Edition===
[[File:ACII CELG.jpg|thumb|180px|The Master Assassin’s Edition Xbox 360]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Artbook: The Art of [[Assassin's Creed]]
*Premium Collectible Metal Case
*Two In-Game Maps:
**[[Palazzo Medici]]
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]
*Additional Content DVD with Behind the Scenes of Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II Soundtrack

This edition can be bought in North America.<ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654 http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654]</ref>

Several days before the release of Assassin's Creed II, EBGames Australia offered an unlock code for Palazzo Medici when you preordered the normal edition.

The two bonus maps are not so much maps as bonus missions which are contained within their own maps. The Palazzo Medici map has Ezio rescuing Lorenzo De Medici from Templar soldiers who have invaded his home, for which Ezio receives a substantial monetary reward. The Santa Maria Dei Frari map is very similar to the Assassin's tomb maps which are found elsewhere in the game, although there is no Assssin's seal to retrieve at the end; there is only a monetary reward.

==Interconnectivity==
''Assassin's Creed II'' has the ability to connect to ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' which, once connected, will provide upgrades to both games. When you defeat a boss in ''Bloodlines'' you will receive the boss' corresponding weapon in the Villa. You also get extra ''florins'' depending on how many Templar Coins you have found in ''Bloodlines''.

{|width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="30%"|Name
!scope="col" width="30%"|Unlocked by
!scope="col" width="40%"|Description
|-
!Templar Coins
|Collecting Templar Coins throughout [[Cyprus]]
|Converts the Templar Coins into ''florins''.
|-
!Maria Thorpe’s Longsword
|Defeat [[Maria Thorpe]]
|
|-
!Fredrick’s Hammer
|Defeat [[Fredrick]]
|
|-
!Mace of the Bull
|Defeat [[Moloch]]
|
|-
!Dark Oracle’s Bone Dagger
|Defeat [[Dark Oracle]]
|
|-
!Twins Rapier
|Defeat [[Shalim]] and [[Shahar]]
|
|-
!Bouchart’s Blade
|Defeat [[Armand Bouchart]]
|
|}

==Sequel==
Even before the release of ''Assassin's Creed II'', discussion of the details about a possible ''Assassin's Creed III'' were already ongoing.

Scriptwriter Corey Mays has recently stated that the developers wish to keep the settings of the games those that are normally unvisited in most video games. Some postulated settings include the Middle Ages (specifically the time frame of King Arthur) or feudal Japan. <ref>[http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/10/gaming-rumor-assassins-creed-3-to-be-set-in-feudal-japan.html|Assassin's Creed III to be set in Feudal Japan?]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.ign.com/UbiAssassinsCreed/2009/10/22/131037/|UbiAssassinsCreed's Blog]</ref>

On January 13, 2010, Ubisoft revealed a new title tentatively titled ''Assassin's Creed II Episodes'' to be supposedly released between April 2010 and March 2011. The game is not an actual sequel or expansive pack to the original ''Assassin's Creed II'', but will once again feature the genetic memories of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and will contain a new online multiplayer mode.

==Awards==
===Won===
*'''Spike TV Video Game Awards'''
:*"''Best Action-Adventure Game''"
*'''IGN Best of 2009'''
:*"''Xbox 360 Game of the Year''"
:*"''Xbox 360 Best Action Game''"
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best New Character - [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]''"
:*"''Best Xbox 360 Game''"

===Nominated===
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best Action/Adventure Game''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Story''" - ''Lost to: Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason''
:*"''Best Graphics Technical''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Original Music''" - ''Lost to: Afro Samurai''
:*"''Best Improved Sequel''" - ''Lost to: Killzone 2''

== Trivia ==
*It is suspected that the part of Assassin's Creed in the present takes place in Italy, considering that the outside of the hideout looks almost exactly like Florence in Ezio's time, and that the underground parking lot in Abstergo and the Assassin's hideout have signs that have words in Italian, including "sezione", which means "section" in English. In Abstergo's garage there are signs in Italian saying "Parcheggio riservato" meaning "Reserved parking" and "Altezza totale" meaning "Altitude". In the end of Assassins Creed II Lucy says that they can hide out in a cabin north and Rebecca later says that it's a long drive meaning that the cabin is possibly in Austria or Germany or Switzerland.
*The game takes place only two days after the end of [[Assassins Creed|the previous game]] on September 8th 2012. [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] goes to sleep only once meaning that the [[Assassins]] leave the warehouse on September 9th 2012.
*During an interview for G4, one of the creators said that the game starts 1-2 hours after AC1 ended.
*Compared with the previous game the period is stretched over 40 years compared with the one year.
*Assassin's creed II is similar to Fable 2. The hero of the game is shown with their siblings, the hero wanted revenge, the hero gets training, and the hero looks for the other heroes (Ezio looks for the other assassins while the hero of Bowerstone looks for the heroes).

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/ Official Website]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/episode/view/season/19/episode/207/segment/2/start/1 VIDEO: Electric Playground Interview with Assassin's Creed 2 Creative Director Patrice Desilets]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/feature/16519 ARTICLE: Electric Playground Preview of Assassin's Creed 2]

{{ACII}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]

Assassin's Creed II

2010-01-30T08:02:31Z

98.232.179.138:

{{Featured}}
{{Game Infobox
|name = Assassin's Creed II
|image = ac2cover.jpg
|Developer = Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Singapore
|Publisher = [[Ubisoft]]
|US Date Released = November 17, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/e3-assassins-creed-2-gets-release-date</ref> (PS3, 360), Q1 2010 (PC)
|UK Date Released = November 20, 2009<ref name="euro_g_date"/> (PS3, 360), Q1 2010 (PC)
|Genre = Historic Action-Adventure
|Game modes = Single-Player
|ESRB = M (Mature)
|Platform = PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
|Media = DVD, Blu-ray Disc
|Website = http://www.assassinscreed.com
}}

'''''Assassin's Creed II''''' is a [[wikipedia:Open_world|sandbox style]] action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by [[Ubisoft]]. It was released on November 17, 2009 (US), November 19, 2009 (AU) and November 20, 2009 (Worldwide) on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PC version has been confirmed to be released on March 16 in North America. A special version of the game will also be released on the Nintendo DS.

A direct sequel to ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', the game is focused again on [[Desmond Miles]] after he escapes [[Abstergo Industries]] with employee [[Lucy Stillman]]. In an attempt to thwart Abstergo and the modern-day [[Templars]], Desmond uses a device almost identical to the [[Animus]] to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who lived in Italy during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The player controls Desmond, to a degree, but primarily Ezio, who becomes an Assassin after his family is betrayed. While controlling Ezio, the player can explore renditions of major Italian regions and cities through a mixture of action, stealth, and economic gameplay.

==Gameplay==

''Assassin's Creed II'' is similar to its predecessor in many ways. The game is nonlinear and can be considered "sandbox style" due to the player's ability to freely roam the generated renditions of Italy. The [[Animus]] is replaced with the Animus 2.0 which, unlike the first, possesses an in-game database with historical information about encountered landmarks, characters, services, and glyphs.

The player is now also capable of swimming and [[Eagle Vision]] has been updated to allow for third-person view and use while the character is moving. A young version of Leonardo da Vinci is included in the game and translates [[Codex|Codex pages]] left behind by [[Altaïr]], allowing for weapon upgrades. Other weapons, such as swords, daggers, and maces, can also be purchased throughout the game as well. Leonardo further contributes to game play with the inclusion of his flying machine in one of the game's missions. The player is also able to use gondolas and ride horses that are found.

[[File:Zw-model-of-city.png|thumb|left|New economic system allows player to profit from city renovations and upgrades.]][[Monteriggioni]], the Auditore family's villa, acts as Ezio's primary headquarters throughout the game and a new economic system allows for the property to be upgraded and enhanced, creating income for the player at twenty minute intervals. As shops within Monteriggioni are renovated and upgraded, Ezio receives discounts on the particular goods that are sold. As more property is enhanced, the amount of income is increased with income also being affected by the purchase of paintings, armor and weapon sets and collections of various items. Such items are displayed throughout the villa as they are collected and Ezio's personal room is updated with portraits of his assassinations as the game progresses.

The combat system for the game has been updated and allows for further options, such as disarming opponents. There also more methods of hiding (the player is able to dive underwater to break line of sight with an enemy) and blending may be performed with any small group of individuals rather than with specific people. Ezio is capable of learning new modes of assassination, such as ambushing individuals when hiding in haystacks or pulling individuals off buildings to fall to their deaths. There are also several types of enemies, some more agile or stronger than others. Ezio can also use smoke bombs and hire groups of thieves, courtesans, or mercenaries to aid him in covering his tracks and avoiding contact with guards. Health in the game is measured via synchronization and minor wounds will heal automatically. Major wounds must be healed by side-street doctors or with medicine purchased from the same.

The game introduces a new system known as notoriety. Depending on his behavior, current location, and current mission, Ezio will become more recognizable by citizens of the city, specifically guards. When the notoriety icon is empty, Ezio is known as "incognito" and may travel through the city as he pleases. As the player behaves in more "socially unacceptable" ways or due to the consequences of a particular mission, the player will become more noticeable by the guards and more likely to be pursued by them. Notoriety can be decreased by bribing city heralds, assassinating corrupt city officials, and removing wanted posters. The level of notoriety is set within each city, so that while the player may be completely unknown in some cities, he may be infamous in others.

Like its predecessor, the game features the same ability to climb buildings and perform [[Leap of Faith|Leaps of Faith]] into haystacks and carts of soft materials. Climbing has been updated to allow Ezio the opportunity to learn to leap while climbing, allowing him to reach higher positions previously unavailable.

[[File:Ac23.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] scaling a building in [[Florence]] during the night]]

A day and night cycle has been added to the game and the player will notice the sun rising and setting throughout game play. In addition, specific missions and game events at certain times of the day and night.

Due to complaints of the some of the missions in the original game, the mission system has been expanded and structured a little differently. There is approximately 200 missions in the entire game with roughly half of them being relevant to the primary storyline. Side quests include the location and search of hidden areas which upon exploration and successful completion will reward the player with seals of past Assassins. A full collection of six seals rewards the player with the armor of Altaïr.

The game also possesses a system mildly similar to the "glitches" from ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where pressing a specific button during a cutscene will produce specific changes and actions within the scene.

==Plot==
{{Spoiler}}
The game begins approximately 1-2 hours after the events of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', where, in the year 2012, [[Desmond Miles]] is being held prisoner by the modern-day [[Templars|Knights Templar]] in [[Abstergo Industries]], after being forced to relive the genetic memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr]], to aid Abstergo in the location of artifacts known collectively as "[[Pieces of Eden]]".

Due to the "[[bleeding effect]]", Desmond has gained [[Eagle Vision]], enabling him to see a variety of messages and symbols written in blood on his bedroom wall by its former occupant, known only as "[[Subject 16]]". While staring at the message, former employee and researcher of Abstergo, [[Lucy Stillman]] arrives, covered in blood, and frees Desmond from the room. He reenters the Animus briefly as she makes a copy of the files located within the machine. The two escape after a brief scuffle with the guards and arrive at a factory where Lucy and two other modern Assassins, [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] have set up their own base of operations, complete with their own version of an Animus.

[[File:Zw-hideout.png|thumb|Desmond enters the Animus 2.0 to access Ezio's memories.]]Desmond is asked to enter their version of the Animus and relive the genetic memory of his ancestor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] in order to continue the search for the remaining Pieces of Eden before Abstergo locates them. The number in the Assassins Order seriously dwindling, Lucy informs Desmond that she intends to train Desmond in the various skills needed to become an Assassin by exploiting the bleeding effect and having Desmond absorb Ezio's abilities.

Ezio, living in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy Italy] during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance Renaissance], approximately 300 years after Altaïr's time, is approximately 17-years-old when he discovers that his family was betrayed by a close friend of his father's in the midst of a political plot. Ezio is ultimately unable to save his brothers and father from said betrayal and all three are convicted of treason and hung.

Ezio's father's final instructions lead him to a hidden room in the family home with a chest containing the clothing and weapons of an Assassin. Ezio brings his panicked sister and now mute mother to the family's countryside villa where they are given shelter by Ezio's uncle [[Mario]], who begins training Ezio to become an Assassin. Mario also provides information and leads on the conspirators involved in his family's betrayal, which becomes a trail stretching from Florence to San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and eventually the Vatican.

During his travels, Ezio befriends several citizens of Italy who aid him in his pursuit for revenge, including a young [[Leonardo da Vinci]], who translates and decodes pages of Altaïr's [[Codex]], enabling Ezio to gain new weapons and assassination skills. Ezio begins slowly locating and assassinating the conspirators involved and is ultimately able to identify [[Rodrigo Borgia]] as the overall leader, whose main goal is to bring down the [[Medici]] family and take control of various portions of Italy.

Ezio tracks Borgia to Venice and discovers Borgia has obtained the Piece of Eden known only as the "Apple", a piece that Altaïr possessed almost three centuries prior. Borgia has been researching the knowledge surrounding the Pieces of Eden extensively and believes himself to be a prophet named in the documentation of the pieces, which would ultimately lead him and other Templars to a location known only as "[[The Vault]]", which is believed to contain powerful information and more Piec[[File:Zw-renaissance-assassins.png|thumb|left|Surviving Assassins meet with Ezio to officially induct him into order.]]es of Eden.

Ezio and Borgia duel and when Ezio gains the upper hand, guards appear and begin to move the fight into the favor of Borgia. The allies that Ezio has made over the years arrive shortly after and they defeat Borgia, who flees for fear of his life, leaving the Apple behind. The allies and friends of Ezio finally reveal their common trait — that they are all members of the Assassins Order, including the great Niccolò Machiavelli. They induct Ezio into the Order, informing him that they believe him to be the actual prophet who will lead not the Templars but the Assassins to the Vault.

[[File:Zw-desmond-bleeding.png|thumb|Desmond successfully assimilates Ezio's free running abilities.]]Desmond takes short breaks from the Animus and during one is tested by Lucy to see if the bleeding effect has been working. Desmond is able to demonstrate all of Ezio's skills, indicating that he has absorbed years worth of abilities in only a matter of hours. During this break, however, Desmond suffers a strange hallucination which returns him to the body of Altaïr in [[Acre]]. During the memory, Altaïr makes love to Maria, a Templar, and Desmond is confused to find that after Altaïr leaves, the memory stays behind with Maria.

Throughout the genetic memories, as Ezio, Desmond discovers multiple glyphs placed on various landmarks that are only visible to someone using the Animus. The glyphs are found to be the same ones drawn on Desmond's bedroom wall in Abstergo, and analysis reveals that they contain computer code, hidden in the Animus. It is ultimately discovered that Subject 16 hacked the Animus and placed the glyphs within the memories himself, which were carried over to the new Animus when Lucy loaded the information she had recovered at Abstergo. Each glyph contained a great number of historical artworks, photographs, and messages, past and present, implicating a great number of prominent events and figures with the Templars, and Pieces of Eden. Each also contained a puzzle of some sort which when solved contained clips of a larger video. The clips, however, are short and out of sequence. After locating and solving all twenty glyphs, [[The Truth|a video is revealed]].

The video begins with the Abstergo logo shown above the title, "Subject 16, Session 12, Classified Date B.C.E." The video follows a man and woman, who call each other by the names of [[Adam and Eve|"Adam" and "Eve"]], running through a strangely modern and futuristic world, apparently being chased by someone or something. They pass through a complex where workers are busy building more Pieces of Eden and climb to the roof. Eve holds up the Apple and the video suddenly ends with a flash of binary code that translates to "EDEN".

Desmond returns to the Animus and the team finds that many of the following memories are corrupted. They are able to begin again but only years after the fight between the Assassins and Borgia. The memories restart in 1499 and the team discovers that Borgia gained influence and power in the Catholic Church, ultimately becoming Pope Alexander VI. Ezio and his allies have searched long and hard and collected all thirty pages of the Codex and discover through it that the Vault lies in Rome, specifically under the Vatican. They realize that the Papal Staff is another Piece of Eden and Borgia is hoping to use it to achieve access to the Vault.

Ezio travels to the Vatican City and attempts to assassinate Borgia. However, Borgia uses the Staff against Ezio who retaliates with the Apple. During the ensuing battle, Ezio is stabbed and Borgia escapes with both Pieces of Eden. Ezio chases after him and finds Borgia trying to open the Vault in vain. The two fight once more and Borgia finally falls. However, Ezio refuses to kill him, insisting he has killed enough in his life and the continued deaths will not reverse the deaths of his family.

[[File:Zw-vault-2.png|thumb|left|Ezio enters the Vault to find a message for his descendant.]]Ezio proves himself to be the Prophet when in his hands, the Apple and Staff open the Vault and Ezio steps inside. Inside the Vault, he finds not Pieces of Eden but an empty room and a holographic figure claiming to be [[Minerva]]. She claims that she brought Ezio to her so that almost six hundred years later, Desmond and his allies would hear her words through the Animus.

Minerva explains that she and her race were [[Those Who Came Before|part of an advanced society]] that settled on Earth before a celestial event that destroyed most of the life on Earth. The remaining members of her species rebuilt the world as best they could and created humans in their own image. The two races lived side by side for a time before eventually coming to war. The humans seemingly won and those remaining of the advanced race sealed themselves in temples around the world, hoping to prevent the same disaster that had destroyed most of their kind from occurring once more. As Minerva finishes, she speaks to Desmond by name and informs him that she has done all she needs to and the rest remains up him and his allies.

The memory ends and Desmond awakes in the present to find that Abstergo has located and begun attacking the Assassins as Shaun and Rebecca pull him out of the Animus. Desmond is given a hidden blade by Lucy and the two run downstairs to stop the guards as Shaun and Rebecca pack up their equipment. With the skills he absorbed from Ezio, Desmond is able to dispatch the forces that have been sent against them and he discovers [[Warren Vidic]] standing in the back of a truck. He sarcastically tells Desmond to enjoy his temporary victory and the truck drives away. Shaun and Rebecca finish gathering the equipment and Lucy assures Desmond that Vidic will get what he deserves.

The group vacates the hideout and head north to a cabin where, according to Lucy, they should be safe for some time. As they drive, Lucy prepares to review the tapes of Desmond's latest session, noting how the situation has escalated dramatically and how Minerva's words proved everything she was afraid of. She theorizes that Minerva was discussing the Earth's geomagnetic reversal, which could have detrimental effects on the planet. Rebecca prepares the Animus for Desmond to reenter as Lucy speculates there may be more to discover in his memories.

{{Spoiler End}}

==Development==

On January 22 2008, it was confirmed by [[Ubisoft]] that ''Assassin's Creed II'' was in production, but no details were revealed. A promotional video was released by Ubisoft on April 6 showing a map of Italy, some hidden blade designs, and DaVinci's flying machine on a scroll. On the official site after the teaser is viewed a symbol is given to print and show in front of a webcam. Doing this will unlock a picture displayed on the site. 4 of the 5 symbols have been given by Ubisoft, and the other was found by a fan. Later, on April 10, Game Informer magazine released details on the game, as well as pictures of Ezio. There are about 240 team members, some of these members were sent to Italy, traveling through Venice, Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. ScrewAttack also released a video with some of the pictures from the magazine. In early May, Ubisoft has stated that they are putting full emphasis on the game and that 450 team members are now working on the title. 75% of the original developers for the original game are now working on the second.

==Limited Editions==
===The White Edition===
[[File:Cat acwhitecontent.jpg|thumb|175px|White Edition PS3]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Collectible White Packaging
*Bonus in-game playable content
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]

This version is in only available in parts of Europe, as well as Australia. <ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch|http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14735&refer=productsearch]</ref> Also, this version was sold in South Korea as limited pre-order edition from December 10 through December 15 only for the PS3 console. <ref>[http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1|http://www.scek.co.kr/cyber/press_read.asp?sid=16263&page=1]</ref>

===The Black Edition===
[[File:UK Black Edition AC2 xbox360.jpg|thumb|180px|Black Edition Xbox 360]]
* "Master Assassin" upgrade [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine with black collectors box
* 3 in-game bonus quests, allowing the character to explore the following:
**[[Palazzo Medici]] in Florence
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]] In Venice
**[[Arsenal Shipyard]] Warehouse In Venice
* "Conspiracy book": A book from the developers of the game, describing the development, and the storyline (with extra commentary on the "conspiracy"). 64 pages, hardcover, "leather style".
* DVD with all the videos, behind-the-scene interviews and "e-goodies" about Assassin's Creed II and game soundtrack by Jesper Kyd (British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominee for "2009 Best Original Score in a Game").
* Black packaging with unique holographic signature

This edition of the game will be made available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.<ref>[http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/assassins-creed-ii-black-edition/ Gamespy]</ref> It is confirmed for Europe, as well as Australia<ref>[http://www.ebgames.com.au/xbox/product.cfm?id=14740&refer=productsearch EBGames Australia]</ref> and certain Asian nations like South Korea<ref>[http://www.gamemeca.com/news/news_view.html?seq=27&ymd=20091118&page=1&point_ck=&search_ym=&sort_type=&search_text=&send= GameMeca]</ref>. (However, 360 version will be the only version available.). Retail price £70.

===The Master Assassin Edition===
[[File:ACII CELG.jpg|thumb|180px|The Master Assassin’s Edition Xbox 360]]
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] figurine
*Artbook: The Art of [[Assassin's Creed]]
*Premium Collectible Metal Case
*Two In-Game Maps:
**[[Palazzo Medici]]
**[[Santa Maria Dei Frari]]
*Additional Content DVD with Behind the Scenes of Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II Soundtrack

This edition can be bought in North America.<ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654 http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75654]</ref>

Several days before the release of Assassin's Creed II, EBGames Australia offered an unlock code for Palazzo Medici when you preordered the normal edition.

The two bonus maps are not so much maps as bonus missions which are contained within their own maps. The Palazzo Medici map has Ezio rescuing Lorenzo De Medici from Templar soldiers who have invaded his home, for which Ezio receives a substantial monetary reward. The Santa Maria Dei Frari map is very similar to the Assassin's tomb maps which are found elsewhere in the game, although there is no Assssin's seal to retrieve at the end; there is only a monetary reward.

==Interconnectivity==
''Assassin's Creed II'' has the ability to connect to ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' which, once connected, will provide upgrades to both games. When you defeat a boss in ''Bloodlines'' you will receive the boss' corresponding weapon in the Villa. You also get extra ''florins'' depending on how many Templar Coins you have found in ''Bloodlines''.

{|width="90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="30%"|Name
!scope="col" width="30%"|Unlocked by
!scope="col" width="40%"|Description
|-
!Templar Coins
|Collecting Templar Coins throughout [[Cyprus]]
|Converts the Templar Coins into ''florins''.
|-
!Maria Thorpe’s Longsword
|Defeat [[Maria Thorpe]]
|
|-
!Fredrick’s Hammer
|Defeat [[Fredrick]]
|
|-
!Mace of the Bull
|Defeat [[Moloch]]
|
|-
!Dark Oracle’s Bone Dagger
|Defeat [[Dark Oracle]]
|
|-
!Twins Rapier
|Defeat [[Shalim]] and [[Shahar]]
|
|-
!Bouchart’s Blade
|Defeat [[Armand Bouchart]]
|
|}

==Sequel==
Even before the release of ''Assassin's Creed II'', discussion of the details about a possible ''Assassin's Creed III'' were already ongoing.

Scriptwriter Corey Mays has recently stated that the developers wish to keep the settings of the games those that are normally unvisited in most video games. Some postulated settings include the Middle Ages (specifically the time frame of King Arthur) or feudal Japan. <ref>[http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/10/gaming-rumor-assassins-creed-3-to-be-set-in-feudal-japan.html|Assassin's Creed III to be set in Feudal Japan?]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.ign.com/UbiAssassinsCreed/2009/10/22/131037/|UbiAssassinsCreed's Blog]</ref>

On January 13, 2010, Ubisoft revealed a new title tentatively titled ''Assassin's Creed II Episodes'' to be supposedly released between April 2010 and March 2011. The game is not an actual sequel or expansive pack to the original ''Assassin's Creed II'', but will once again feature the genetic memories of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] and will contain a new online multiplayer mode.

==Awards==
===Won===
*'''Spike TV Video Game Awards'''
:*"''Best Action-Adventure Game''"
*'''IGN Best of 2009'''
:*"''Xbox 360 Game of the Year''"
:*"''Xbox 360 Best Action Game''"
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best New Character - [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]''"
:*"''Best Xbox 360 Game''"

===Nominated===
*'''Gamespot's Best of 2009'''
:*"''Best Action/Adventure Game''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Story''" - ''Lost to: Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason''
:*"''Best Graphics Technical''" - ''Lost to: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves''
:*"''Best Original Music''" - ''Lost to: Afro Samurai''
:*"''Best Improved Sequel''" - ''Lost to: Killzone 2''

== Trivia ==
*It is suspected that the part of Assassin's Creed in the present takes place in Italy, considering that the outside of the hideout looks almost exactly like Florence in Ezio's time, and that the underground parking lot in Abstergo and the Assassin's hideout have signs that have words in Italian, including "sezione", which means "section" in English. In Abstergo's garage there are signs in Italian saying "Parcheggio riservato" meaning "Reserved parking" and "Altezza totale" meaning "Altitude". In the end of Assassins Creed II Lucy says that they can hide out in a cabin north and Rebecca later says that it's a long drive meaning that the cabin is possibly in Austria or Germany or Switzerland.
*The game takes place only two days after the end of [[Assassins Creed|the previous game]] on September 8th 2012. [[Desmond Miles|Desmond]] goes to sleep only once meaning that the [[Assassins]] leave the warehouse on September 9th 2012.
*During an interview for G4, one of the creators said that the game starts 1-2 hours after AC1 ended.
*Compared with the previous game the period is stretched over 40 years compared with the one year.
*Assassin's creed II is similar to Fable 2. The hero of the game is shown with their siblings, the hero wanted revenge, the hero gets training, and the hero looks for the other heroes (Ezio looks for the other assassins while the hero of Bowerstone looks for the heroes).

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://assassinscreed.us.ubi.com/assassins-creed-2/ Official Website]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/episode/view/season/19/episode/207/segment/2/start/1 VIDEO: Electric Playground Interview with Assassin's Creed 2 Creative Director Patrice Desilets]
* [http://www.elecplay.com/feature/16519 ARTICLE: Electric Playground Preview of Assassin's Creed 2]

{{ACII}}
{{ACSeries}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II]]

Tailor

2010-01-21T06:21:00Z

98.232.179.138: /* Dye Clothes */

{{Stub}}
'''Tailors''' are merchants who upgrade [[Ezio]]'s pouches, allowing him to carry more Medicine, Poison and Throwing Knives. They can also [[Customization|dye]] Ezio's armor with various colors. However, dyeing has no real function on gameplay.

==Pouch==
Upgrading your Pouches increases Ezio's carrying capacity of a certain item by 5. It is required to upgrade to a lower priced upgrade in order to access the higher priced ones.

{|width="60%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="40%"|Upgrade
!scope="col" width="30%"|Unlocked
!scope="col" width="30%"|Cost
|-
!Medium Medicine Pouch
|
|
|-
!Large Medicine Pouch
|
|
|-
!Knife Belt Upgrade
|
|
|-
!Knife Belt Upgrade
|
|
|-
!Medium Poison Vial
|
|
|-
!Large Poison Vial
|
|
|}

==Dye Clothes==
Dye Colors available change depending on what region the Tailor is located in. You can get an achievement "Perfect Harmony" by dying Ezio's clothes with Wetland Ebony and Wetland Ivory.

{|width="60%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col" width="35%"|Dye
!scope="col" width="45%"|Location
!scope="col" width="20%"|Cost
|-
!Assassin White
|Everywhere
|Free
|-
!Florentine Mahogany
|Florence
| 560f
|-
!Florentine Scarlet
|Florence
| 550f
|-
!Florentine Crimson
|Florence
| 1200f
|-
!Tuscan Ember
|Tuscany
|
|-
!Tuscan Emerald
|Tuscany
|
|-
!Tuscan Copper
|Tuscany
|
|-
!Tuscan Ochre
|Tuscany
|
|-
!Wetlands Auburn
|Romagna/Forli
| 500f
|-
!Wetlands Steele
|Romagna/Forli
| 380f
|-
!Wetlands Ebony
|Romagna/Forli
| 2300f
|-
!Wetlands Ivory
|Romagna/Forli
| 150f
|-
!Venetian Wine
|Venice
| 1980f
|-
!Venetian Azure
|Venice
| 450f
|-
!Venetian Teal
|Venice
| 500f
|}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Gameplay]]

Desmond Miles

2009-12-22T21:47:16Z

98.232.179.138:

{{revamp}}
{{spoilerhd}}

{{Character Infobox
|image =Desmond2.png
|imgdesc =
|name =Desmond Miles
|status =Alive
|arabic =
|alias ="Subject 17"
|meaning =
|faction =[[Assassins]]
|appear =''[[Assassin's Creed]]'',<br>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period =21st century
|voice =[[Nolan North]]
}}
{{Quote|I'm not an assassin… not anymore.|Desmond Miles to [[Warren Vidic]]}}
'''Desmond Miles''' is the protagonist of the [[Assassin's Creed series]] and the descendant of a long line of [[assassins]]. He is initially forced to use a machine, called the [[Animus]], by [[Abstergo Industries]] – the modern front of the [[Knights Templar]] – to relive the memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], in their quest to locate [[the Apple]], a Piece of Eden.

Eventually escaping with the aid of the modern-day assassins, Desmond once again uses an improved animus to explore the memories of a second ancestor, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], so as to learn the ways of the assassins in a [[Bleeding effect|much quicker way than normal]].

==Biography==
===Early life===

Desmond Miles was born in an Assassin "hideout" in the desert, an enclave much like the city of [[Masyaf]], where he was destined to be trained as an assassin. However, as he grew older Desmond later fled the hideout, claiming that "he wanted to see the rest of the world". He later told [[Lucy Stillman]] that he had had no regrets over leaving his parents, because as far as he was concerned, they were his "wardens". At some point after leaving the hideout, Desmond became a bartender. Aware of the Knights Templar, and wanting to avoid both them and the assassins Desmond never used his real name and paid only by cash. He was eventually found, however, by a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle license.
[[File:Warren-vidic-assassins-creed-2-character.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Warren Vidic]] overlooks Desmond inside the [[Animus]].]]

===''[[Assassin's Creed]]''===
In September 2012, Desmond Miles was kidnapped by [[Abstergo Industries]], a pharmaceutical company and front for the Knights Templar, for use as a test subject in the [[Animus]], a device that can read the memories of Desmond's ancestors through the "genetic memory" left behind in their descendants' DNA. At first [[Warren Vidic]], attempted to pry the information he wanted from Desmond's mind, but was met with failure due to Desmond’s subconscious lack of confidence in accessing that memory. As such Desmond was forced to relive the memories of his ancestor from the earliest point at which he felt most confident; this then allowed Desmond to simulate the experiences of his ancestors. Whilst he claimed to be nothing more than a bartender, Vidic reveals that they knew of his past as an assassin, forcing Desmond to finally admit his past life. Vidic and [[Lucy Stillman]] tell Desmond that they're trying to access a certain memory, but Desmond's subconscious is restraining. Vidic warns Desmond that if he refuses to assist them, they will induce a coma, continue their work, and, when done with Desmond, leave him to die. Without much choice, Desmond agrees to help them.

Desmond was made to explore the genetic memories of his ancestor – [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], a member of a clan of Assassins during the [[Third Crusade]], specifically Altaïr's experiences during the year 1191 – and over several days does so under the watchful eye of Warren Vidic. During the nights however, Desmond discovers that he is able to explore the lab he is being held in, accessing the Animus computer and, after stealing his keycard, the personal computer of Warren Vidic. Through these emails Desmond learns of a '[[Subject Sixteen]]' who had begun suffering from a "bleeding effect" due to prolonged exposure to the animus, as well as tidbits of information from the outside world. Eventually, with the aid of Lucy, the assassins learnt of Desmonds capture and attempted to liberate him, the gunfire being heard through an intercom device, although the rescue attempt failed. Vidic boasts that those assassins were in fact the last of the assassin; their desert hidehout having previously been destroyed. Lucy Stillman's actions, however, suggest otherwise, and when Desmond asks if Lucy knows anything about his parents, she responds by saying that she doesn't know, but that they probably escaped. During this discussion, Lucy reveals herself to be a member of the assassins.

Desmond eventually achieves Vidic's goal, and discovers the location of numerous Piece of Eden's. Executives of Abstergo Industries order his execution but his life is saved by Stillman's intervention, who asks to keep Desmond alive for future refernce. After the executives leave Desmond suddenly accesses the "[[Eagle Vision|eagle vision]]" of his ancestor Altaïr, seeing Warren and Lucy for their true allegiances, as well as countless scrawled messages and puzzles on the floor of the main laboratory.

===''Assassin's Creed II''===
[[File:Demsondanimus2.jpg|thumb|400px|Desmond sitting in the [[Animus|Animus 2.0]]]]
At the beginning of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' Desmond is still being held within the laboratory at Abstergo, an unknown amount of time having past. One day, Lucy suddenly arrived, covered in blood and demanding Desmond to get into the Animus before Abstergo discovers what she's done. Desmond, rather confused, agrees and, inside the Animus, experiences the birth of another of hishis ancestors, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], a joint ancestor of his and Subject Sixteen's. He is quickly pulled out though, and both make their escape.

They were quickly spotted by Abstergo security forces and forced into an engagement which Lucy quickly ends, allowing them to continue on stealthily. The two soon enter a large open room filled with office blocks, and lined with a large number of Animus machines, although Desmond's question about them are met with silence. Desmond once again instinctively called upon his recently reactivated eagle vision when, at the door to an elevator, a password was needed that Lucy did not have. Once in the carpark the two are acosted by yet more Abstergo guards, but are able to overcome them and escape.

Arriving at the assassin's hideout somewhere in Italy, Desmond was introduced to two more assassins – [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]] –whom have been working with Lucy over the years. Lucy told Desmond that they wanted him to become an assassin, and thanks to the bleeding effect, they could achieve this in a matter of days, although it required him learning the ways of an assassin through a new ancestor; Ezio. Desmond agrees to help almost immediately, and is quickly plugged in the Animus 2.0.

After learning the ways of the assassin through Ezio's memories Desmond was retracted from the Animus, partly to test his rentention of the memories, but also to prevent the mental degradation that Subject Sixteen had suffered from being in the animus for too long at a time. Tasking him with initiating security protocols around the Assassin hideout, Lucy left it to Desmond to work out how to reach them; just as he begun, however, he started suffering vivid hallucinations of the Crusader era. At first the vision were short, and that they were nothing to worry about, but after completing the task Desmond was incapacitated as the visions became more real. Taken back to [[Acre]], Desmond followed the memories of Altaïr once again, this time without the use of the Animus, and watches as Altaïr and [[Maria]] conceive their first child, Desmond's next ancestor.

The next day, Desmond had recovered from the experiences and returned to the Animus, neglecting to tell the assassins what had happened. He continued the watch over the genetic memories of Ezio Auditore, despite at one time being thrown out by a "corrupted memory sequence". Eventually they learn that Ezio's arch-nemesis, the Templar Grandmaster [[Rodrigo Borgia]] had, in 1492 become Pope Alexander VI, so as to gain access to yet another Piece of Eden, the Papal Staff. As Ezio's story begun to conclude, Desmond and the assassin's watched as deep within [[the Vault]] beneath the Vatican, Ezio was confronted by a hologram-esque "[[Those Who Have Gone Before|god]]", calling herself [[Minerva]], who warns the assassins of the end of the world, as well as retelling the story of the war between "Those Who Came Before", and their human subjects. The assassin's are shocked when Minerva adresses Desmond by name, and it is revealed that Minerva is in fact talking to Desmond ''through'' Ezio. Desmond is quickly pulled out of the Animus though, seeing the three rushing to collect their belongings, the Templars having found their location.

Immediately after getting out of the Animus, Lucy hands Desmond a [[Hidden Blade]] with the Assassin's emblem on it, as asks for his assistance in covering the escape. Making their way into the warehouse, Vidic appears, flanked by Abstergo security official with the intent of reclaiming Desmond. The two assassins fight off the Templars with Desmond, now synchronized with both Altaïr and Ezio, performing masterfully and slaying many with his Hidden Blade. With his entourage eliminated.Vidic is left to confront Desmond on his own, but instead flees, promising that their victory is only temporary. The four then flee north, whilst Desmond is hooked up to the Animus inside the van, whilst they briefly discuss the nature of Minerva's warning.
[[File:Altairezio.jpg|thumb|left|280px|Desmond's two ancestors, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] and [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]].]]

==Charateristics, personality and skills==
Despite his striking resemblance to both Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Desmond has very little in common with either of them. Despite being born into the Assassins Order, Desmond fled early on and lived his life independant from them; keeping to himself much of the time and preferring to stay off the radar. The only recorded incident of Desmond actually appearing on the rader was a fingerprint needed for a motorcycle licence, which in turn allowed Abstergo Industries to locate him.

As he was forced to relive the memories of his ancestor Altaïr, Desmond begun to pick up subtle skills thanks to the bleeding effect; these included the eagle vision, as well as possibly the ability to eavesdrop and pickpocket so efficiently. Later on, upon willingly exploring the memories of his ancestor Ezio Auditore, Desmond once again begun to adopt the skills he was exposed to; this time including free-running and improved hand-to-hand combat.

Desmond was a gruff individual, who held a serious out-look on life, having been aware of the existance of both Templars and Assassins all his life, although he was unaware of Abstergo Industries being a Templar company. Despite this, he was not above jesting over his situation, and would occasionaly make jokes, although they rarely elicited a good reaction. A plain individual, Desmond did not wear extravagent clothing, preferring only a white hooded jacket and jeans. Interestingly, when up, the hood exhibited a beak-like feather similar to both Ezio and Altaïr.
==Trivia==
*He is modeled after model [[Francisco Randez]] and voiced by [[Nolan North]].
*Desmond possesses the same scar in his mouth as his ancestors Altaïr and Ezio did.
*Desmond's clothes are similar to those worn by both Ezio and Altaïr, albeit in a more modern style. He has a hood (although it is not worn over his head), and his jacket is white - similar to Altair's robes, and Ezio's clothing, which is originally referred to as "Assassin White". Concept Art of him with his hood up show that it has the "eagle-beak" shape his ancestors' clothes had.
*Desmond acquires a Hidden Blade at the conclusion of Assassin's Creed 2. The original owner of the blade is uncertain, but it shares the same design as Ezio's, inherited from his father, Giovanni.
*Desmond obtains Eagle Vision from his ancestor Altaïr and his fighting and free-running skills from his ancestor Ezio through the Bleeding Effect in the Animus.
*Desmond will most likely become a Master Assassin during the Assassin's Creed series. He already has mastered eagle vision, free running, climbing, and even fighting. How much more training can be obtained is still unknown however.
*At times during the game, Desmond's eyes appear to be a golden yellow colour, as do Ezio's, greatly resembling the eyes of an eagle, a bird of prey spotted throughout the Assassin's Creed series.
*Desmond, like Altair and Ezio, is a born of a bloodline mixed with Assassin and the "Ones Who Came Before" genes.
*Desmond's fighting skills during the break from Abstergo are a lot like [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altair's]] in Assassins Creed, it is unknown if this is due to the Bleeding Effect, or he always fought as badly. During the Templar's attack at the end of [[Assassin's Creed II]] Desmond's move resemble [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio's]] moves, with Desmond being able to disarm and fight more smoothly.

{{AC}}

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassins|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters|Miles, Desmond]]
[[Category:Descendant of Altaïr|Miles, Desmond]]

Antonio de Magianis

2009-11-21T23:27:27Z

98.232.179.138:

{{Character Infobox
|image=Antonio.png
|faction=[[Thieves]]
|imgdesc=Artwork of Antonio
|name=Antonio
|meaning=
|appear=''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period=Italian Renaissance (15th century)
}}
'''Antonio''' is the leader of the thieves faction in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. His "HQ" is located in the commercial district of [[Venice]]. He lived an honest life with his poor family composed of his father, a cobbler, and her mother a maid for an upper-class family. He wanted to be richer, but no matter how hard he studied the schools would not accept him, no matter how hard he worked he could not get out of his miserable situation. So he decided to steal if he really wanted something because hard labour was not enough, and to become a person in the underground regardless where you come from. He and his men steal from the immoral Venetian noblemen and not ordinary citizens. He consider his guild as a business and his clan is more than just a little bunch of bandits. He and [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] will help each other against the corrupted men of Venice.

[[File:Antonio-ingame.png|thumb|left|Ingame screen of Antonio.]]

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]

Antonio de Magianis

2009-11-21T23:25:35Z

98.232.179.138:

{{Character Infobox
|image=Antonio.png
|faction=[[Thieves]]
|imgdesc=Artwork of Antonio
|name=Antonio
|meaning=
|appear=''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
|period=Italian Renaissance (15th century)
}}
'''Antonio''' is the leader of the thieves faction in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''. His "HQ" is located in the commercial district of [[Venice]]. He lived an honest life with his poor family composed of his father, a cobbler, and her mother a maid for an upper-class family. He wanted to be richer, but no matter how hard he studied the schools would not accept him, no matter how hard he worked he could not get out of his miserable situation. So he decided to take if he really wants something because hard labour was not enough, and to become a person in the underground regardless where you come from. He and his men steals from the immoral Venetian noblemen and not ordinary citizens. He consider his guild as a business and his clan is more than just a little bunch of bandits. He and [[Ezio Auditore di Firenze|Ezio]] will help each other against the corrupted men of Venice.

[[File:Antonio-ingame.png|thumb|left|Ingame screen of Antonio.]]

{{ACII}}
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]