Assassin's Creed II

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"Truth is Written in Blood"

―Giovanni Auditore

Assassin's Creed II is a 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 may be released on a variety of dates in Q1 2010, including March 16, February 15, and January 15. A special version of the game will also be released on the Nintendo DS. The game revolves around Desmond who this time uses the Animus to relive the memories of Ezio, an Italian assassin who lived during the Renaissance period.

Plot

"Live by the Creed"

―Ubisoft's marketing campaign

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Ezio attempting a Leap of Faith in Venice

The game begins with a narration from Desmond  explaining what has happened since the end of the first game. Lucy has been taken away and Desmond has found no new information about his situation. As the narration ends we found Desmond staring at the hidden blood message on the wall when Lucy returns, blood on her shirt, and tells him that she has come to rescue him. Desmond re-enters the Animus and briefly experiences the birth of his ancestor, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, while Lucy makes a copy of the Animus' memory. The two then proceed to escape Abstergo, fighting through a number of guards and into a car parked in the buildings underground lot, to one of the Assassins' hideouts. After being introduced to fellow modern Assassins, Shaun and Rebecca, Lucy explains that with their numbers dwindling they require Desmond to assist them by becoming an Assassin. In order to do so Lucy intends to train Desmond by exploiting the Animus' bleeding effect. By going through years of memories from one his ancestors Desmond will be able to master the Assassin's art in days. The Assassins have created their own version of the Animus, labeled the Animus 2.0, and Desmond proceeds to enter Ezio's memories.

Ezio's life takes place in late 15th century Italy during the Renaissance, approximately 300 years after Altaïr's time. In 1476, young Ezio is living the life of a noble in Florence. The memories begins with Ezio about to fight a rival group from another family, including the young Vieri de' Pazzi, who has insulted the Auditore family and also Ezio's parents personally. He is eventually joined in the battle by his older brother Frederico and they drive off the Pazzi's. After the fight Frederico takes Ezio to a nearby doctor to check out a small wound he had received. After the doctor is done with him Frederico and Ezio race to the top of a nearby church. On the way home Ezio decides to pay a visit to Cristina Vespucci and they sleep together.

In the morning he is driven out of the Vespucci home by Cristina's father. After returning home he is chastised by his father, Giovanni Auditore, and is then asked by him to help their family with various things around the house. These include helping his mother, Maria, carry paintings from the studio of the young Leonardo Da Vinci, retrieve a feather for his younger brother Petruccio, and beat up the cheating boyfriend of his sister Claudia. Ezio then overhears a conversation between his father and a man named Uberto Alberti. Though he can not tell exactly what his father has said he can tell the he is distressed about something. His father then asks Ezio to deliver some letter, and when he returns he finds that his home has been raided by guards and that his two brothers and his father have been taken to prison.

Ezio then sends his sister and mother, who has been shocked into silence, to the house of their maid's sister. Ezio then climbs to the top of the prison to speak to his father, who asks him to retrieve several items hidden in his home and a document, and to deliver this document to Uberto because they will prove their families innocence. Ezio returns to his home and finds an assassin outfit hidden in his father's studies, and the document. He delivers the document and is promised by Uberto that he will represent his father and brothers at their hearing tomorrow. However the next day he finds Uberto has betrayed him, and has ordered his father and brothers to be hanged for treason against Florence. Ezio attempts to fight his way through the crowd to save them, but is unable to do so and watches as his father and brothers die. Ezio is forced to flee and makes his way to the home where his sister and mother are hiding. He informs them of what has happened and swears vengeance against Uberto. Ezio then meets Paola of the Courtesans, who is the sister of their house maid and is caring for his mother and sister. Ezio is taught the elements of stealth by Paola, and then proceeds to meet with Leonardo da Vinci, who decrypts one of Ezio's documents and uses it to repair his hidden blade. Ezio then proceeds to assassinate Uberto.

After the assassination Ezio is a wanted criminal, so he flees Florence with Maria and Claudia, heading to his family villa in the Tuscan countryside. On the way he is attacked by Vieri de' Pazzi, and while fighting him and his men he is aided by his uncle Mario and his mercenaries. At the villa Mario tells Ezio of his Assassin heritage. Ezio is incredulous, always thinking of his father as only a banker, and states his intention to flee to Spain with his family, but Mario implores him to stay and fight the Pazzi and Templars. Mario trains Ezio how to fight, while encouraging him to become an assassin. He then goes with his uncle to attack the city of Tuscany and to kill Vieri de' Pazzi.

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San Marco square in Venice (displaying the Venician crest on the banners)

After assassinating Vieri, Ezio learns of additional conspirators involved in his father and brothers' deaths. Mario introduces Ezio to various items in the villa, one being a set of armor belonging to Altaïr. He is also shown several pages of the Codex, one of which was what Leonardo had decrypted. Written by Altaïr, the Codex is a set of memoirs describing his experiences and thoughts after retrieving the Apple of Eden, and also contains designs and sketches of several things, such as a miniature firearm, and a new type of metal. Over the next decade, Ezio assassinates many of the conspirators, with the assistance of several new allies, and Leonardo's developments, based on the designs from the Codex.

Eventually, Desmond is pulled out of the Animus, as Lucy calls it a day. She tests the retention of Desmond's skills, and notes a great amount of progress, although Desmond is suffering from minor detrimental effects, such as brief hallucinations of the past. Desmond appears to black out and has an extended, vivid hallucination or dream of Altaïr pursuing Maria, a Templar who Altaïr had spared, and proceeding to romance her. As it so happens, Desmond is unable to follow Altair once he leaves Maria, which reveals that Maria is now pregnant with his child. Afterwords, Desmond wakes up, feeling confused.

Returning back into the Animus, Ezio continues his pursuit. Once nearly all of the conspirators are dead, only Rodrigo Borgia still remains, and was the center of the conspiracy. Ezio learns that Rodrigo has retrieved the Apple of Eden from Cyprus, and his men are delivering it to him. With all of Ezio's past allies suddenly appearing, they aid Ezio in reclaiming the Apple of Eden, but Rodrigo flees. After the battle, Ezio learns that all of his allies are Assassins, and were all guiding him throughout his life. Although Rodrigo had called himself a prophet, the Assassins state that Ezio may be the prophet described in the Codex. Letting go of the idea of revenge, Ezio is officially inducted as an Assassin.

A problem occurs with the Animus, and several memories are skipped, lapsing forward to the year 1499, where Rodrigo Borgia is now Pope. With the Apple of Eden, and the completed Codex, Ezio and the Assassins locate the position of the "Vault", which is found to be in Rome. Mario concludes that the papal staff, which, as Pope, Rodrigo has possession of, is a Piece of Eden, and Rodrigo is going to use it to try to gain access to the vault. Ezio infiltrates the Vatican, and attempts to assassinate Rodrigo, but fails when Rodrigo uses the powers of the staff to temporarily defeat Ezio and steal the Apple. Ezio intercepts him at the entrance to the Vault, and defeats him, but does not kill him. Near death, Rodrigo tells Ezio to stop delaying and just kill him. Ezio walks away, saying, "Killing you won't bring my family back...I'm done."

The Staff and the Apple activate and open the vault. Ezio encounters a hologram in the form of a woman, who addresses him as the prophet. She identifies herself as Minerva and mentions Juno and Jupiter as well, prompting Ezio to immediately distinguish them as gods. She reassures him, however, and says that they had simply came before. Minerva explains that humans may not be able to comprehend Those Who Came Before but must comprehend their warning. She explains that they created humanity, but humans betrayed them. Both humans and Those Who Came Before were so occupied with themselves and their craving for war, that they failed to "notice the heavens". Minerva says that by the time they did acknowledge the heavens, it was too late, and she simply says that the world burned. She explains that they rebuilt humanity, and took measures to ensure a similar disaster wouldn't happen. Ezio tells Minerva that he does not understand, but she tells him that his work is finished, and that he is the prophet, but she only wishes to speak through him. She directly addresses Desmond, saying that "The rest is up to you." Greatly confused, Ezio questions who Desmond is, but the hologram fades. Confused himself, Desmond says, "What the fuck?" and the Animus shuts down.

Back in present time, Abstergo has located and attacked the Assassin's hideout, prompting Shaun and Rebecca to pull Desmond out of the Animus. Lucy hands Desmond a hidden blade, and they run downstairs, preparing to escape. The two confront Warren Vidic surrounded by several guards. Lucy and Desmond defeat the guards and make their way to 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 a little while. 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 speculates on the possibility of an event such as the Sun's geomagnetic reversal. Rebecca prepares the Animus for Desmond to reenter, and Lucy speculates their may be more to discover in his memories.

During Desmond's time in the Animus, he also encounters a series of out-of-place glyphs, located throughout his memories. 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. "Subject 16", the Animus user preceding Desmond, had placed the encrypted code as a message, and Lucy had taken this data along with the copy of the Animus' memory. The encrypted code contains 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. Unlocking all of the glyphs reveals a brief video. 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 as they rush through a futuristic complex, and at one point, encounter a group of workers manufacturing Pieces of Eden. When they reach the roof, the woman holds up the Apple of Eden, and she and the man identify each other as Adam and Eve. The video ends suddenly with a flash of binary code that translates to "EDEN".

Gameplay

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Ezio scaling a building in Florence during the night

"Abstergo must have some really fucked up interior decorators..."

―Desmond Miles

The May 2009 GameInformer article revealed that many new features would be added to the game engine. Ezio will be given two hidden blades, allowing him to eliminate two enemies at once. New weapons, such as spears, axes, halberds, and maces have been revealed as well. In order to obtain the weapons, Ezio must kill a guard wielding the weapon he wants, but he drops his new weapon after he has killed one of his enemies. Ezio will have access to many weapons, but some enemies are only weak to certain weapons. The player can also buy and upgrade weapons and items at shops, as an alternative to scavenging them off of fallen foes. The enemies Ezio will face have also been expanded upon, so that now he will be forced to contend with both heavily armored swordsman, lightly armored foes wielding lighter weapons, and archers who will seek to attack him from afar. The cinematic trailer also revealed that not only has Ezio hidden blades in his gauntlets, but also has a gun below his left hidden blade. There will be over 30 weapons in the game.

thumb|300px|right|The latest gameplay video from the Tokyo Game Show

New forms of cover will be introduced, including the ability to hide underneath the water (as long as you have enough oxygen). As it is, Ezio can kill guards via drowning them, and during an interview when the question was brought up, the reply was "the game's not finished yet". Possibly this game will feature the same 'Leaps of Faith', but rather than jumping into haystacks (which will now include carts of leaves, flower petals and other things), you can also jump into water. This way Ezio will grab his enemies by either jumping out of the haystack or the water to kill them with his hidden blade. This tactic will of course compromise your position to other guards (known as Seekers) and they will have the ability to check haystacks and other areas by stabbing their weapons into them. Ezio will automatically hide the dead bodies of his victims depending where he himself is hiding. To confuse guards you can use a Smoke Bomb that will further cover your tracks. Rather than blending in with scholars as Altaïr did, Ezio will also be able to blend with large crowds. Climbing has a new feature, not only is Ezio as fast a climber as Altaïr, but he can leap to a higher position while climbing a certain building. Guards positioned in towers, or other high buildings, can be grabbed and pulled down, so they will fall to their death, as Ezio climbs them.

The mission design in the first game was thought to be too repetitive, so the developers are adding at least 16 new mission types, so missions don't seem to run together. This is a large increase over the number in the original, as there are now over 200 missions in Assassin's Creed II. Missions like eavesdropping or pickpocketing (Ezio can however steal from any citizen and can also be stolen from) have been removed from the list of quests in this game. Yet another new feature is a notoriety system in which Ezio will become recognized as he takes on more quests in each town; higher notoriety will result in civilians and guards becoming increasingly wary of the player's movements. This level of notoriety will be set within each city, so that while the player may be completely unknown in some cities, he may be infamous in others. The player may take on quests to bribe or kill informants and remove wanted posters in order to decrease his notoriety level. You do not collect flags anymore, but feathers, statuettes, plaques and codexes. But unlike the first game, you will be given bonus features if you succeed in collecting them. Ezio will also be aided by famous Renaissance figures, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli. Caterina Sforza and Lorenzo De' Medici will also make an appearance. Ezio's synchronization bar will fill normally like in the original game, but more major injuries must be treated by street-side doctors. A day and night cycle was also added.

A big annoyance in the first game was that all enemies could follow you where ever you went, on top of buildings, and sometimes across the entire city, making losing their sight long enough to hide almost impossible. In Assassin's Creed II only a new, lightly armored, more agile, scout-like enemy will have the ability to follow you.

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Venice at night during the festivals

Another new feature is Ezio will own his own villa (which, during the time was a fortified town.) Its role will be like that of Masyaf from the first game. Through out the game, Ezio will be able to add and upgrade shops that will give him discounts and place where people will pay Ezio rent. There will be secret places here too that Ezio can access by renovating the city. Ezio will have his own house where he will have a room full of the portraits of the assassination targets he has killed, a treasure room, an armory to hold his weapons and armor, and a room full of statues of great assassins which Ezio can get plaques for. When a plaque has been put on a statue, Ezio will receive a reward a bonus worth on the villa, but in order to obtain Altaïr's Armor you will need all six seals as Mario said. (NOTE: Altair's statue does not need a seal)

Assassin's Creed 2 will also have a system mildly similar to the "glitches" from Assassin's Creed in which pressing a button during a cutscene will give you a new vantage point. Assassin's Creed 2 has improved on this in a quick time reminiscent way during cutscenes, as pressing the right button at the right time will produce a reward.

Special Editions

"Ah, you found another one! How exciting!"

―Leonardo da Vinci

The White Edition

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. Also, this version was sold in South Korea as limited pre-order edition from December 10 through December 15 only for the PS3 console.

The Black Edition

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. It is confirmed for Europe, as well as Australia and certain Asian nations like South Korea. (However, 360 version will be the only version available.). Retail price £70.

The Master Assassin Edition

The Master Assassin’s Edition Xbox 360

• Ezio Auditore da Firenze figurine
• Artbook: The art of Assassin's Creed
• Premium Collectable 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.

Several days before the release of Assassin's Creed II, EBGames Australia offered an unlock code for Palazzo Medicis 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.

Development

"The Auditore are not dead! I'm still here! Me! Ezio; Ezio Auditore da Firenze!"

―Ezio Auditore da Firenze

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The end of the trailer. It shows a signature that is backwards like Da Vinci's writing.

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This is the signature forwards.

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.

Awards

Won

"Well done, nipote!"

―Mario Auditore da Firenze

• Spike TV Video Game Awards

• "Best Action-Adventure Game"

• IGN Best of 2009

• "Xbox 360 Game of the Year"
• "Xbox 360 Best Action Game"

• Gamestop'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 reservato" 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 the previous game on September 8th 2012. 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.

External links

• Official Website
• VIDEO: Electric Playground Interview with Assassin's Creed 2 Creative Director Patrice Desilets
• ARTICLE: Electric Playground Preview of Assassin's Creed 2