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A whole lot of info on Assassin's Creed 2 will hit newsstands with April 16th's Game Informer magazine. Check out the cover above -- that's main character Ezio, "a young noble whose family was lost through rival ruling families' betrayals." The game is set in Renaissance-era Venice.

Unofficial info has leaked onto the net prior to the publication of the magazine, though, so If you absolutely can't wait, and you don't mind spoilers, click the "Read More" tag to read more about the sequel to Ubisoft's action/stealth game Assassin's Creed. But keep in mind, almost everything under the cut is unconfirmed.

• New weapons include an axe, a hammer, a mace, a spear, two different sword types, a spear-axe, and two smaller blades. Each weapon has a special move.
• You can swim.
• You can glide, on Da Vinci's flying machine.
• Speaking of, Leonardo Da Vinci's workshop is in the game.
• Locations include Saint Marks Basilica, The Grand Canal, The Little Canal, and the Rialto bridge.
• The game opens in 1476. Altair is from 1191. You play as an new ancestor of Altair / Desmond, Ezio Auditore de Firenze, a nobleman of Florence.
• You will see the countryside of Tuscany.
• The "Auditore" family is mentioned.
• Important characters in the game including Machiavelli, Caterina Sofrza, and Lorenzo de Medici.
• Assassin's Creed 2 will feature a new notoriety system that governs how enemy soldiers and people will treat you.
• You can disarm enemies and use their own weapons against them.
• 16 unique mission types.
• No more eavesdropping or pick-pocket missions.
• If you are injured too much, you will need to see a doctor to regain health.
• Hidden objects (like flags in the first one) return, but this time if you track them down you will get in-game bonuses. Items include, flags, statues, and gold coins and more that hasn't been disclosed.
• New enemy types with unique attitudes and weaknesses include archers, elite enemies, dagger wielders, "Brutish" armored troops with heavy armor and two-handed swords and axes, and an intelligent halberd enemy who will probe hiding places with their weapons if they think you're nearby.
• While hiding in a hay bail you can assassinate people this time, but it may expose your position.
• You can still climb towers and ride horses.
• Lorendo de Medici assassination attempt is in the game.
• There is now a night and day sequence in the game.
• 240 people are working on this title.

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