Who is the central historical character in Assassin’s Creed II?

Ezio Auditore is the central historical character in Assassin’s Creed II.

The game follows Ezio’s transformation from a young Florentine nobleman into an Assassin. Its story begins in Renaissance Italy and takes him through major locations including Florence, Venice, and the surrounding regions. This setting gives the game a strong connection to Renaissance art, politics, architecture, and historical figures.

Ezio is not the same character as Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, the protagonist of the first Assassin’s Creed. He is also distinct from Desmond Miles, the modern-day character whose genetic memories are being viewed through the Animus.

Ezio’s story continues in Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. Because the three games together form a major character arc, they are often called the Ezio trilogy. Assassin’s Creed II itself was released in 2009 and became one of the best-known entries in the series.