The Knights Templar’s actual existence during the Middle Ages gave rise to many legends about the organization during the several centuries since its dissolution. Those stories, which have grown more elaborate over the years, form the basis for the Assassin’s Creed world, where historical fact and fanciful fiction swirl together.

Our protagonist, Desmond Miles, was born at an assassin enclave known as The Farm, but he escaped when he was 16, deciding that a life on the run was better than being trained to kill people. He took a job as a barman and lived off the grid as much as he could, relying on cash and never using his real name. However, Abstergo Industries was looking for him too, and they tracked him down when he supplied a fingerprint for a motorcycle license.

Desmond was abducted by Abstergo and found himself hooked up to the Animus device, which can extract the memories of ancestors from someone’s DNA. Dr. Lucy Stillman and Dr. Warren Vidic, creators of the Animus project, wanted to use Desmond’s genetic memories to learn more about Altaïr ibn La-Ahad, a 12th century assassin with knowledge about the Pieces of Eden. Abstergo, which is run by modern-day Templars, has a long-term plan to amplify the artifacts’ powers via satellite transmissions, enslaving all but the few who have natural resistance to such forces.

Desmond had no choice but to go along with the procedure, because Lucy and Warren threatened to induce a coma, access his DNA-embedded memories anyway, and leave him to die. Desmond soon learned that Lucy was also a prisoner of Abstergo’s facility: she was going to be killed because she knew too much about Animus and her trustworthiness was in doubt, but Warren intervened and saved her life; in return, she could never again leave the premises.

Templars vs. Assassins

The original Assassin’s Creed game follows Desmond’s experiences as he lives out Altaïr’s memories. Lucy and Warren keep the sessions as brief as possible, for fear that Altaïr’s assassin skills might bleed over into Desmond’s mind, giving him the ability to escape the facility. Over the course of Desmond’s missions as he experiences them through Altaïr’s memories, Lucy and Warren learn the locations of at least six Pieces of Eden.

Warren decides to kill Desmond when the work is done, but Lucy convinces him that Desmond may have future value to Abstergo. Lucy and Warren leave Desmond alone in a cell, and he discovers that Altaïr’s eagle vision has bled through: it allows him to differentiate ally from enemy, and he sees previously invisible arcane symbols on the walls and floors.

Assassin’s Creed II picks up shortly after the previous game left off. Desmond realizes that the strange writing is somehow connected to Subject 16, Abstergo’s code name for a previous Animus test subject. Lucy, realizing that Desmond offers her best chance to get out of the facility, helps him escape. Desmond discovers that Lucy used to be an assassin too, and the pair make their way to a hideout used by two other assassins: historian Shaun Hastings and computer whiz Rebecca Crane, who has developed her own version of the Animus.

Shaun and Rebecca decide to use Desmond with the new Animus and revisit the memories of another of Desmond’s ancestors, the assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze. They hope that extended sessions will let Ezio’s skills bleed through to Desmond — they also expect to learn the locations of other Pieces of Eden and find them before Abstego does.

All the Techniques

The Assassin’s Creed II storyline introduces plenty of twists and turns along the way, of course. We won’t spoil them, but we will leave you with this observation from Boivin: “My favorite Assassin’s Creed II mission by far is Ezio’s assassination of Umberto, which is his first in the game. From a narrative aspect, it’s arguably one of the strongest parts of the game: Ezio gets his revenge on the one who killed his father and brothers, and it’s that exact moment when he starts becoming a man and an assassin.

“The acting is amazing too, and the scene really fuses us to the story afterward. On a gameplay level, it’s very strong as well: it encourages, if not forces, the player to use all the techniques needed throughout the game: social stealth approach, free running, and fighting.”

The Assassin’s Creed adventure continues in a trio of games for iOS; they’re playable on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

Altaïr’s Chronicles is a prequel to the first game, putting you in Altaïr’s boots as the Order of Assassins sends him on a quest to find The Chalice, which could end the bloody Third Crusade that ravages the Middle East in 1191. Sneak through high-definition 3D environments as you undertake a variety of missions against the Templars, who want the Chalice too.

Rely on Altaïr’s acrobatic skills to navigate various cities, including Jerusalem and Damascus, and unleash vicious combo attacks against enemies. Available weapons include swords, daggers, and bombs. Skill-based mini-games enable you to pickpocket precious items from pedestrians and force key people to give you vital information.

Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery reveals a hidden chapter from Ezio’s story as he travels to Spain to rescue fellow assassins. He uncovers a Templar plot to kill Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus and sail west to discover the New World. Ezio must protect them while eliminating Templar enemies, including the infamous Tomas Torquemada.

Assassin’s Creed II: Multiplayer allows you to compete against up to three other players online. Hunt down and assassinate them in one of three Italian cities before they find you. What Boivin calls “the social stealth approach” is key here; you’ll also find six power-ups that will give you an edge. Collect up to 24 achievements and work your way up the leader boards. Don’t forget to post your records on Facebook.

Finally, you’ll find a variety of guides for Assassin’s Creed II at the App Store, including Prima Games’ official video strategies. This video guide shows you how to: set up and execute the perfect assassination; increase Ezio’s income with lucrative pickpocketing techniques; exploit enemies’ weaknesses; discover a variety of secret items; and more.