The Birth of an Assassin (Trophy Unlocked) *Spoilers*
Assassins Creed II (ACII)
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| Image by wlrangel Oliviera via Flikr.com |
So, one of my favourite game series of all time is Assassin's Creed. I have played and completed every game with a platinum trophy; which for those of you that don't play PS3/4, they are little pixels that you earn from completing all other trophy requirements for specific actions within a game. I have been in love with this series since 2007 upon the release of the original, but I have to say, over time, the game has been lacking. Lacking in memorable characters, plot lines and the Modern Day tie-in. (These views are my own and may result in comparing ACII to other Assassins Creed media).
Ezio Auditore
Recently I bought 'The Ezio Collection' and rediscovered my love for Ezio Auditore Da Firenze, the second assassin to grace the franchise, who spans three titles. In my opinion, I feel he is still the 'go-to' assassin when representing Assassin's Creed, which I believe is due to being able to experience how his character has developed from an apprentice to a master assassin or 'Mentor'. Not only that, but he is given which I think now is the 'iconic' assassin look with his robes; however as later games came into view, the robes would be adapted to suit the time period. This is something that I have missed from the games sequels, which I think is why I have found it harder to connect with other assassins but not all have been worthy of another appearance in my opinion. |
| Image by Sigrid Hawke via Flikr.com |
Before tragic events occurred with the death of his male family members within the Auditore household, Ezio had no prior knowledge to the brotherhood that Giovanni (his father) and Federico (his eldest brother) were part of. He soon dons his fathers assassin's hidden blade which over time through the discovery of hidden Codex pages written by Altair, are deciphered by Leonardo Da Vinci and improved mechanisms for the blade are created. As a result of the betrayal on his family, Ezio sought out his revenge against the conspirators, fuelled by anger and hatred which would have made for a very cliche story. Instead, he is soon guided by his Uncle Mario (It's a me, Mario!' - actual quote from ACII) and other Mentors such as Niccolo Machiavelli to use his newly learnt assassin skills for the better choosing who is worthy of death and sparing who is not. I think because of this guidance, Ezio is still able to shine through with his more playful characteristics as he doesn't later appear consumed by revenge. I believe it provides a great balance of character and personality, unlike that of Connor Kenway from Assassin's Creed 3 and Arno Dorian from Assassin's Creed Unity, who are very geared towards revenge/loss and personally are the least interesting assassin's of the series.
This isn't to say that other characters in the series haven't had mixed traits. Edward Kenway from Black Flag, our fourth assassin, is another favoured assassin of mine. Some of this could be due to the game setting - however, we see how Edward begins to understand the feud between the Assassin's and Templars, exacting revenge on those who later betray him, all the while having the carefree attitude of his pirate life. Again, this balance between fun and revenge could be a factor in the success of these two titles.
A Lesson in History
I really enjoy learning about history or watching films and TV series that are set within historical time periods, which is something that I adore about the Assassin's Creed universe. You get to travel to moments in time and either learn about events you didn't know about, or recognise the ones that you do. I love the way that the games incorporate figures in history into the game and present them as either a friend or foe, Assassin or Templar. Main figures you come into contact with are from within that specific time period and the dates and places of death of those you kill will almost always represent when that historical figure died in real life; though of course, not from the blade of an assassin and some characters are created to fit the story. There is so much more than what you experience during the ancestors core memories such as letters to read, data entries and more to give a broader scope on the history of that time too.
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| Rodrigo Borgia holding a 'Piece of Eden': Image by Dakota Thrice via Flikr.com |
Prior to playing ACII back in 2009, I had no real knowledge about the Renaissance in Italy other than the style of clothing and famous works by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. I was thoroughly entertained by the story-line accessed through DNA sequences of Desmond Miles replaying his ancestral memories. It was only on my second play-through where I decided to look up the history of the characters involved. Sequences you play can involve real things that happened in the chosen time period, becoming half truths to link to the assassins and Ezio. In fact, the main story arch revolves around The Pazzi Conspiracy and the rise of Rodrigo Borgia becoming Pope Alexander VI.
The Pazzi Conspiracy was a plot to rid the Medici family of power within Florence by murdering Lorenzo and Giuliano de'Medici during High Mass at the Duomo. Francesco de'Pazzi and Bernado Baroncelli managed to kill Giuliano with multiple stab wounds, whereas Lorenzo was wounded but managed to escape meaning the overall plot had failed. Most of the conspirators were caught and executed where most notably, Francesco was hung from the Palazzo della Signoria. For a twist of the truth in ACII, the Auditore and Medici family are close allies and Ezio receives information about this plot by eavesdropping on a Templar meeting. He attends High Mass in order to prevent the assassination. Unfortunately, true to real life, Giuliano cannot be saved but Ezio assists Lorenzo in escaping from the Duomo. The men who plotted against the Medici's were the same as those who betrayed Ezio's family and naturally, Ezio is tasked with assassinating the conspirators by exacting revenge one by one; whose names are also true to life. Having not known about the history of the conspiracy, Francesco de'Pazzi's assassination was most shocking to me when his corpse was flung over the Pallazo della Signoria for all to see hanging from the roof. What I have described and witnessed is the main reason why this series of video games will always be one of my favourites because of its ability to make history even more exciting. We have the history books telling us that things happened in a certain way but what if there was an assassination that was covered up?
I have limited information about Rodrigo Borgia but I am aware that the Borgia's were a very influential and political family during the Renaissance period. It appears that the family would do what they could to rise to power, even with suggestions of Rodrigo buying votes to become Pope (though this might need looking up). Within the game, his family still holds this power with Rodrigo also being the Templar Grand Master wishing to use Pieces of Eden to withhold the Templar cause. He believes that he is the prophet who can open what is known as The Vault which is located under the Sistine Chapel which was some of the reasoning behind the Borgia's getting into power. However, Ezio prevents this from happening and enters the vault himself after a scuffle with Rodrigo. Once Ezio emerges from The Vault, Rodrigo's body has disappeared. Other than the excitement of added elements to history, the games make me wish to seek out other information about the families involved etc. which might mean I end up watching the TV series 'The Borgia's' at some point.
Desmond Miles, Subject 16 & 'Those Who Came Before'
Desmond Miles is a modern day assassin who became tired of the assassin lifestyle and training regimes and fled the compound, where the assassin's lived, to New York in order to live a normal life. In 2012, he was kidnapped by Templar's at Abstergo Industries and made to relive the memories of Altair through, 'The Animus Project'. In ACII however, we see Desmond breaking free from Abstergo with the help of his friend Lucy Stillman (An undercover assassin working for Abstergo), where she and other assassins have their own upgraded version of the Animus (Animus 2.0) in order for Desmond to relive the memories of Ezio Auditore.
The Animus Project was created by Abstergo in order to locate Pieces of Eden. The Templar cause is to bring the world to order whereas the Assassins wish to seek free will of mankind. A Piece of Eden is a device which can enable the beholder to have control over others, therefore the project was created. The only users of this machine are those who hold ancestral memories relating to those who have came into contact with a Piece of Eden and so seek out the last resting place of these artifacts so they can be used in the present day.
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| Image by Amit Das via Flikr.com |
Whilst at the Abstergo facility, Desmond was referred to as Subject 17 which leads us to presume there have been 16 others in the same situation as him. This makes me believe that not all those who enter the Animus are successful which could be a result of non-compliance on the subjects part or what is known as the 'Bleeding Effect' from prolonged exposure to the Animus. When we play as Desmond in the modern day aspects of the game he is able to move like his ancestor and obtains Eagle Vision which is the ability to see things which others cannot such as secret entrances; this and merging the past with present are effects of this phenomena. Subject 16 also had access to Ezio's memories but fell to the whims of the Bleeding Effect and became trapped within the Animus, downloading warnings into the Animus core to warn others who were to use the programme and unleash the truth. Furthermore, this is why Desmond must go back into the Animus, to retrieve the Apple of Eden as he deciphers glyphs hidden within the world of Ezio that lead to the truth that Subject 16 discovered.
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| Minerva speaking to Ezio: Image by Graeme Robertson via Flikr.com |
The modern day in my opinion is one of the best aspects of the game as it intertwines almost a sci-fi element to the game and if done correctly would make for an amazing film. No doubt there are many theories and conspiracies about this subject on Reddit and other forums.
One Final Note
Outside of the gaming platform, I feel that the latest Assassin's Creed movie starring Michael Fassbender doesn't do the work of the Animus justice, which could be because of the nature of the film focusing mainly on the present day rather than on what could be considered the more interesting aspects physically within the Animus. As a result, those who I have encountered that have seen the film don't seem to grasp the concept of the Animus, Assassins vs Templars and the Pieces of Eden; unless explained in depth. I believe my words alone cannot even do it justice for explaining the modern day events and that playing the game and following the lore in the novels is the only way to truly understand.
- If you are unclear on any of the terms used in this post, for more understanding go to the Assassins Creed Wiki Page
- Next post we explore Assassins Creed Brotherhood as part of 'The Ezio Collection'.
*Assassins Creed: Origins - Releases October 27th 2017*
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