In Assassin's Creed II, which Italian Assassin becomes the game's central hero?

Ezio Auditore is the central hero of Assassin's Creed II.

The game begins in Renaissance Florence in 1476, where Ezio is introduced as a young nobleman. After his family is executed because of a conspiracy, he becomes involved with the Assassin Brotherhood and begins pursuing those responsible. His journey takes him through several Italian locations, including Florence, Monteriggioni, Venice, and the Vatican.

Ezio is not the same character as Altaïr, the protagonist of the first game. However, Assassin's Creed II connects their stories through the Animus and through historical Assassin records. Ezio's storyline continues directly in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed Revelations, making him the central figure of a trilogy. The character is also associated with Leonardo da Vinci, who provides inventions and assistance during the campaign.