Following the unveiling of the Assassin's Creed II teaser site last week, Ubisoft have today officially announced Asssassin's Creed II, which is currently slated for a Christmas 2009 release, and seemingly comes replete with a host of differences that were either expected or completely unknown.

Assassin’s Creed II is the product of over two years of intensive development by the original creative team behind the Assassin’s Creed brand. In a vast open world environment, the game invites players to incarnate Ezio, a privileged young noble in Renaissance Italy who’s been betrayed by the rival ruling families of Italy.

Ezio’s subsequent quest for vengeance plunges players into a captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression that will appeal to fans of the original Assassin’s Creed as well as entice players new to the brand.

Looks like there's no Altair now, which confirms initial rumours the Assassin's Creed brand would transcend time with a new assassin with each iteration. We also have a single piece of character art for your perusal, as well as a teaser trailer. Stay tuned for any new details as they become available.

more variety in missions, surprising and engaging new gameplay elements, diverse weapons and a profound character progression

i'd settle for a re-release with a "skip cutscene" button

I loved the cut-scenes

I loved the cut-scenes

Did you ever try to redo certain areas?

epic story that offers more variety in missions,

Can only bloody hope so.

Looks like there's no Altair now, which confirms initial rumours the Assassin's Creed brand would transcend time with a new assassin with each iteration.

I wonder if they'll try to tie it all in together though.

It will probably still be Desmond.

And the cut scenes did get rather annoying when you just wanted to go back and hunt all the templars down etc.

Al Mualim never shuts up.

Looooooooooooooks good.

Skipping the cut scenes for Al Mualim would have been good, but the rest were good, never got in the way at all. But as for AC2, I'm just worried about that 18+ logo they flash before the teaser.

Hmm brings me to another thought, how does Steam handle 18+ games for Aus users?

I really dislike those teaser trailers that aren't showing any in game footage

That's why they are called teasers though. Tacking on trailer is the problem

Just think of it as another cut scene you can't skip :P

The first one had an oversea's rating of 18+ as well, I doubt it will be an issue.

We love you ubisoft. HURRY UP ALREADY!!!!!!

well if its like america in movies... R is actually our MA 15+

Lol, Watchmen.