Ubisoft has recently released a new video showcasing some of the new features that Assassin’s Creed II will have. We have already seen some of them from E3 2009, like the double hidden blade. However, it is still nice to see them in action again.

Video courtesy of GameTrailers

Here are the features which were mentioned in the video:

• Economic System
  In the first game, Altair gets an upgrade after every main assassination. In ACII, upgrades to Ezio will not be a scripted event. You will have to visit stores on the streets to purchase weapons, armor, and items. Of course before you buy anything, you will have to earn enough money which I believe you will be able to get by completing missions. In the video, Ezio bought a poison vial which he used to poison a guard protecting his target. He poisoned the guard and that resulted in the guard accidentally killing his target for him. That way Ezio will not be suspected of anything and he can escape the scene of the murder scot-free.
• Weapons/Items Selection HUD
  When this was pulled up, I was quite shocked, but at the same time glad to see that there are quite a few equipments to switch to. In the first AC, we only had 4 equipments at our disposal. It’s great to see that Ubisoft is giving us more choices to carry out our assassinations.
• Hidden Gun
  This was shown in the E3 2009 cinematic trailer and now, we get to see how to use it. There is a delay before Ezio is able to take the shot, which means that it is advisable to stand at a certain distance away from your target before using it. I would expect guards to be all over Ezio after that loud echoing bang from the hidden gun, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It may be because he is standing on a rooftop and so he is able to get away with it.
• Secondary Assassination Missions
  As far as I know, these missions are optional. So if you think you need some extra cash, you can just head over to a pigeon coop and and get a mission from there. However, it is not so simple. They may come with a certain catch, like in the video Ezio cannot be seen when he assassinate the target. Remember about the poison that he bought at the beginning? Well this is the time to use it.
• Improved Eagle Vision
  In the first AC, the Eagle Vision could only be used when Altair is stationary. In ACII, Ezio will be able to use the Eagle Vision while moving. The function stays the same, where it is used to single out your target amidst the crowd in the streets.
• Crowd Distraction
  In the video, right before Ezio poisons the guard, he used some coins to distract a group of people away. The way I see it, it will allow Ezio to have a clearer shot of the target and also, less chances of being caught in the act.
• Hire Mercenaries
  Sometimes you have to enter places which are guarded by… Well… Guards. You can now hire mercenaries on the streets to help you slip past heavily guarded entrances. The mercenaries will attack the guards, causing a lot of chaos in the area. You can then use this chance to run past the guards and continue with your missions.
• Secret Locations
  There are several secret locations around Italy and they are located inside famous landmarks. To find one, you will have to spot something that resembles the AC icon with a skull in the middle. According to the commentator, these secret locations will challenge players in acrobatics, puzzles and stealth. Entering these secret locations will also provide you with background information like details about the war between the assassins and templars.

  If you think it is all about solving puzzles then you are wrong. There are guards located in these locations as well to slow you down and make you think about your next move. Towards the end of the underground secret location, it turns into a chase sequence, where Ezio has to try and catch up to some guard who is running to a guard post to raise the alert. If you manage to catch up, then you will assassinate him and that’s that. If you think you have time to spare, or the skills to do so, you can let the guard go and then face off with multiple enemies.

  Going through a secret location will get you a special reward upon completion. Completing all secret locations will give you the ultimate reward. What these rewards are were not revealed in the video, so we will have to wait for more news on it.

Assassin’s Creed II is looking more and more promising after each trailer release. I really hope I can play it soon! The game will be released on November 17, 2009 for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.