Assassin's Creed II

An article published in Game Informer reveals that Assassin's Creed II will grant the player the ability to swim and use the canals of Venice as hiding spots and will allow the player to drag city guards into the water as a means of assassination. At E3 2009, it was also confirmed by the creative director that Ezio (the character that the player assumes control of during gameplay) will be able to "drive small boats." Historical figure Leonardo da Vinci is recreated within the game, as an aid to the player who provides a host of weapons and contraptions available for use.


Photo: ui03.gamespot.com

At one point in the game, the player can access Leonardo's flying machine which he actually built, keeping airborne using thermals from fires lit by friends gathered previously in the game. The game will also feature a host of new mission types for the player to complete. ScrewAttack revealed that there will be numerous weapons included in the game such as halberds, axes, long pikes, swords, daggers and numerous others. Six additional weapons can be unlocked in the PlayStation 3 version of the game by linking the console to the PlayStation Portable.

Additionally, the player can disarm opponents and use their weapons against them. The game is stated to have a much more sophisticated combat system; the player will have to use a variety of tactics on different enemies and - as demonstrated in E3 2009 demo - can now assassinate two people at once by means of Ezio's dual hidden blades. The player will also be able to automatically commit a stealth kill if the player is positioned correctly in proximity to the target and if Ezio remains anonymous without having to select the hidden blades.

There is also now the ability to throw down smoke pellets to aid in the escape from large groups. NPC characters may also be able to help the player in battle. The health system has been adjusted to allow for a more dynamic and participatory experience, meaning that the "memory sync" system used in the first game only helps to recharge health up to a certain point. More grievous injuries will require a trip to one of the many street-side doctors, who can help return Ezio to full strength. As well as using water as a hiding place, the player can utilize a broader array of scenery as cover and can now blend in with any crowd rather than a group of scholars dressed in white, as in Assassin's Creed.


Photo: psu.com

Also, a day and night cycle has been added to the game, giving the sense of a passage of time but additionally certain missions will be able to be performed during the day and the night. The game will feature some sort of economic system that makes it possible to hire services from non-player characters (NPCs). Ezio can steal from anyone of the NPCs, and likewise there are NPCs who can also steal from Ezio. The player can also use money to buy tools made by Leonardo da Vinci. The trailer, which debuted at E3 2009, displayed many new things such as improved parkour mechanics.

The main reveal of the trailer involved Ezio withdrawing his hidden blade to access a rudimentary gunpowder-based mechanic on his wristblade to take out a target from a distance. It has also been confirmed at E3 2009 that Desmond himself will "do more than just walk" in this game. Another feature, as seen in the gameplay video, no cover is safe, as guards can search them. To counter this Ezio has the ability to assassinate the incoming guards before detection, and placing the bodies in his former hiding location.

Short Story
The Assassin's Creed II story takes place in Italy on 1486 during the Renaissance, or 295 years after the first Assassin's Creed. Like first game characters which based on historical figures will be present in the game including Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolò Machiavelli, Caterina Sforza, and Lorenzo de' Medici. Unlike Altaïr, whose ring finger was amputated in order to accommodate use of his hidden blade, Ezio has not; bearing a ring displaying his family crest. This was made possible by just one of numerous technical advances made by his close friend Leonardo da Vinci, who helps Ezio throughout the course of the game.

The Cities mentioned as being in the game thus far included Rome, Florence and Venice. With the Tuscan countryside joining them. Specific landmarks include the Grand Canal, St Mark's Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. All of which reside in Venice. Anyway, count down for new Assassin's Creed II released on Nov 17, 2009, just Pre order now for PC, for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Sources: assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com, wikipedia.org