How a digital Renaissance recreates the streets of 15th-century Italy
In short: Assassin's Creed II transports players to the height of the Italian Renaissance. Through the eyes of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, you navigate a sprawling open world where historical landmarks and real-world figures like Leonardo da Vinci come to life in a meticulously recreated landscape.
Set between 1476 and 1499, the game's narrative follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze as he navigates the complex political and social landscape of Renaissance Italy. The open world is composed of several distinct Italian cities and regions, including Florence, Venice, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, and Forlì. To enhance immersion, the developers included specific regional settings such as the Tuscany and Romagna regions, as well as the Apennine Mountains. The journey begins in Florence, where Ezio's family is deeply involved in the city's social fabric. This setting provides the backdrop for a personal quest for vengeance following the execution of his father and brothers. The narrative eventually expands to include the Vatican during its final mission.
The environment is highly detailed, featuring landmarks like St Mark's Basilica, the Rialto Bridge, and the Sistine Chapel. Even the NPCs are designed with human-like behaviors, such as civilians coughing or sneezing. Movement through these cities is facilitated by various means of transport: horses are used outside major cities, gondolas are prominent in Venice, and carriages are utilized during specific missions.
The game's world design is not merely aesthetic; it serves as a playground for complex gameplay mechanics. Players can use parkour to navigate urban environments, dive into water to break a guard's line of sight, or explore hidden locations like catacombs and caves. This level of detail contributed to the game's universal critical acclaim and its success, selling over nine million copies within six months of its release.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Assassin's Creed II
- Also: Wikidata — Assassin's Creed II · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Assassin's Creed III · CC0
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