Assassin's Creed II was first released worldwide in 2009.
Ubisoft released the game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November 2009, followed by Microsoft Windows in 2010. It is the second major entry in the Assassin's Creed series and directly follows the original 2007 game.
The story shifts from the Crusades to Renaissance Italy. Players control Ezio Auditore da Firenze, whose campaign travels through locations including Florence, Venice and the surrounding countryside. This setting and protagonist helped establish the historical, character-driven structure associated with later games.
A common mix-up is confusing the game's release year with its historical period. Assassin's Creed II is set mainly during the late 15th century, but the game itself launched in 2009. Its follow-up, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, arrived in 2010.