For those who have beaten Assassin's Creed 2...(SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY)

[Julianking93]

...what the fuck was that?

I just beat ACII last night. I thought it was a wonderful game with a very interesting story and I would definitely name it my game of the year, but am I the only one who didn't fully understand the ending?

During the final climax of the game, Ezio infiltrates and fights his way through the Vatican and attempts to assassinate Pope Alexander XIV (best climax ever if you ask me). It turns out the staff of the Pope is the second piece of Eden along with the apple and the Pope wishes to use it to open "The Vault."

During the final fist fight between Alexander and Ezio, he explains what he believes is in the vault and they speculate that it contains God, but when Ezio prevails, the vault contains a large room with a hologram image of a woman claiming to be not gods but "the ones who came before" as she lists names of Roman gods along with herself being called Minerva. She breaks the fourth wall and starts speaking directly to the audience by saying that the world is doomed for disaster and says Desmond is the only one who can stop it, but what the fuck did it all mean?

Am I just stupid not to get it completely? What happened to Ezio? What about the people who attacked the hideout? What happened to the Doctor from the first game? What about Subject 16 and those Glyphs in Desmond's memory? What is this "disaster?" Does it refer to the Mayan prophecy about 2012? Anyone else confused or am I the only one?

 

[Valkyira]

Yes you are just stupid.

Not really, it was a very confusing ending. It hints that AC3 will be set in present times with Desmond as the assassin.

 

[Kafloobop]

At first I thought she was breaking the forth wall to but once she said Desmond was the only one who could stop it I kinda figured it out. Apparently this "Minerva" knew that Desmond was going to follow Ezio's life and eventually into the vault and since she wouldn't be able to tell this directly to Desmond she used Ezio as a messenger to convey the message to Desmond. What happens to Ezio after that is anyones guess. Maybe he settles down, gets married, has kids and lives happily ever after. Or maybe he tries to tell everyone what he found in the vault and nobody believes him and he gets thrown in the loony bin I don't know. And as for the disaster I guess were gonna have to wait for Assassins Creed tri.

 

[T-Bone24]

Basically, the hologram was of one of a race of precursors that came before civilisation. They made humans in their image, akin to gods. However, the humans rebelled and the gods were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. A catastrophic event, most likely involving the sun, or something, and destroyed that civilisation. That will happen again. Unless Desmond can stop it. She foretold that Ezio would come and that his memories would then be viewed by Desmond. That is why Ezio is "the prophet".

These "gods" then became the Gods of religion, at least their distorted memories were.

I agree, mindfuck, but what a bloody fantastic ending. Very brave, very unexpected.

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

Assassin's Creed suffers from one main draw back

The SciFi

Enough Said

 

[Julianking93]

Basically, the hologram was of one of a race of precursors that came before civilisation. They made humans in their image, akin to gods. However, the humans rebelled and the gods were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. A catastrophic event, most likely involving the sun, or something, and destroyed that civilisation. That will happen again. Unless Desmond can stop it. She foretold that Ezio would come and that his memories would then be viewed by Desmond. That is why Ezio is "the prophet".

These "gods" then became the Gods of religion, at least their distorted memories were.

I agree, mindfuck, but what a bloody fantastic ending. Very brave, very unexpected.

I got that they were a race of technologically advanced people who lived along side humans for the first civilization and that humans rebeled against them but that was just meant to be a warning to Desmond and the others through Ezio's memory, right?

And, I agree. Craziest ending story wise, but [b/]infiltrating the Vatican and trying to kill the fucking Pope?!! Fuck Yeah!![/b]

 

[Plinglebob]

I finished this about an hour ago and it was a much better ending then I was expecting though I would like some of what they were smoking when they came up with it. An ACIII with a mixture of Prototype's openworld running around and Splinter Cells confined break ins, would be great. My guess would be having to bounce around the world to the places on the Codex map marked with the Assasin's symbol.

My only worry is the possibility of gunplay as that could really spoil things unless their very careful.

 

[Cherry Cola]

I hated the ending. I don't want a sci-fi plot twist involving religion at the end of a game about an ASSASSIN IN ITALY! Plot Twist does not equal great story telling, I hate that Assassins Creed has all these magic elements when it really should try to be more realistic. Assassins Creed 1 could have been better if there wasn't magic involved, Assassins Creed 2 could have been waaaaaaaaaaaay better if it didn't have all these conspiracy theories and religious plot twists. I'm very disappointed at this games ending.

 

[T-Bone24]

Basically, the hologram was of one of a race of precursors that came before civilisation. They made humans in their image, akin to gods. However, the humans rebelled and the gods were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. A catastrophic event, most likely involving the sun, or something, and destroyed that civilisation. That will happen again. Unless Desmond can stop it. She foretold that Ezio would come and that his memories would then be viewed by Desmond. That is why Ezio is "the prophet".

These "gods" then became the Gods of religion, at least their distorted memories were.

I agree, mindfuck, but what a bloody fantastic ending. Very brave, very unexpected.

I got that they were a race of technologically advanced people who lived along side humans for the first civilization and that humans rebeled against them but that was just meant to be a warning to Desmond and the others through Ezio's memory, right?

And, I agree. Craziest ending story wise, but [b/]infiltrating the Vatican and trying to kill the fucking Pope?!! Fuck Yeah!![/b]

I took it as a warning for the MASSIVE EARTH SHATTERING CATASTROPHE that would be returning. And somehow, the vaults are the key to stopping it.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Assassin's Creed suffers from one main draw back

The SciFi

Enough Said

THIS

I wanted a game about an Italian assassin fleeing from a corrupt government and trying to avenge his family monte-cristo style or something. Not... sci-fi.

 

[Woodsey]

Well, I think you're mistaken in who she addresses; technically, Desmond IS the audience. Somehow (some speculation exists that the pieces of Eden were made in the future and sent back in time) Minerva (do a search on Wikipedia of the name) knows about Desmond, hence Ezio being labelled the prophet.

And the entire point is that God doesn't exist, "those who came before" were/are a vastly superior race to us, although aesthetically similar. They created us in their own image (direct reference to God). If you did 'The Truth' video you'll know about Adam and Eve.

Basically "those who came before" have been made into the idea of God (because of the power of the pieces of Eden) - it all fits VERY well.

The best proof of this is when the Pope actually says that God is beyond the doorway - when in fact it's Minerva, who was a part of the race of "those who came before". It smashes the idea of divinity by saying we were simply created by another race, possibly for the purpose of being used as slaves - when Adam and Eve escape Eden (with Eve having take the "Apple") they were presumably cast out by "those who came before".

Adam and Eve could clearly resist the effects of the piece of eden, just like Altair, Ezio (and presumably) Desmond. Desmond is proven to be related to Subject 16 as they have a DNA match shown at the beginning of the game, and it seems 16 recorded the video of Adam and Eve from the memory in his OWN DNA (likely his first ancestors). It can also be assumed that Desmond is also related.

Fantastic game BTW, love the fact its got the balls to do a story like this and not patronise you, it just tells it.

On a side note, when Ezio yells: "wait! I have so many questions!" when Minerva disappears, did anyone else feel bad for him?

His purpose in life was to give way to someone far more important (Desmond), and Minerva dismisses him so carelessly, after everything. He never really understands, despite his involvement; I found it to be quite sad.

The same with the codex pages that detailed more of Altair's life. Despite not being particularly likable in the first game, it was distressing to read about his ignorance of the greater scheme of things in the end.

 

[CJ1145]

Assassin's Creed suffers from one main draw back

The SciFi

Enough Said

You do realize Sci-Fi is literally the binding, the glue of the game, right? This game would SUCK without the Sci-Fi to make sense of it.

 

[AlexTheBucket2112]

There are a few spoilers. Espesially if you've yet to complete THE TRUTH.

Spoiler

The ending was a little confusing but After a few minutes I understood. And Subject 16's video was also very confusing. The only part I really understood was that Adams voice sounded like subject 16's and That it showed people constucting the pieces of eden. Also on a side note, the binary right at the end of the movie says "EDEN"

EDIT:

Well, I think you're mistaken in who she addresses; technically, Desmond IS the audience. Somehow (some speculation exists that the pieces of Eden were made in the future and sent back in time) Minerva (do a search on Wikipedia of the name) knows about Desmond, hence Ezio being labelled the prophet.

And the entire point is that God doesn't exist, "those who came before" were/are a vastly superior race to us, although aesthetically similar. They created us in their own image (direct reference to God). If you did 'The Truth' video you'll know about Adam and Eve.

Basically "those who came before" have been made into the idea of God (because of the power of the pieces of Eden) - it all fits VERY well.

The best proof of this is when the Pope actually says that God is beyond the doorway - when in fact it's Minerva, who was a part of the race of "those who came before". It smashes the idea of divinity by saying we were simply created by another race, possibly for the purpose of being used as slaves - when Adam and Eve escape Eden (with Eve having take the "Apple") they were presumably cast out by "those who came before".

Adam and Eve could clearly resist the effects of the piece of eden, just like Altair, Ezio (and presumably) Desmond. Desmond is proven to be related to Subject 16 as they have a DNA match shown at the beginning of the game, and it seems 16 recorded the video of Adam and Eve from the memory in his OWN DNA (likely his first ancestors). It can also be assumed that Desmond is also related.

Fantastic game BTW, love the fact its got the balls to do a story like this and not patronise you, it just tells it.

On a side note, when Ezio yells: "wait! I have so many questions!" when Minerva disappears, did anyone else feel bad for him?

His purpose in life was to give way to someone far more important (Desmond), and Minerva dismisses him so carelessly, after everything. He never really understands, despite his involvement; I found it to be quite sad.

The same with the codex pages that detailed more of Altair's life. Despite not being particularly likable in the first game, it was distressing to read about his ignorance of the greater scheme of things in the end.

And then everything was clear to me...

 

[Woodsey]

Assassin's Creed suffers from one main draw back

The SciFi

Enough Said

You do realize Sci-Fi is literally the binding, the glue of the game, right? This game would SUCK without the Sci-Fi to make sense of it.

Too right; I find it bewilderingly interesting and unique.

 

[-Drifter-]

Am I just stupid not to get it completely? What happened to Ezio?

You keep playing as him after the credits.

What about the people who attacked the hideout?

You kill them?

What happened to the Doctor from the first game?

He drove away after you an Lucy fucked up his henchmen! Did you turn the game off the second the credits started rolling?

What about Subject 16 and those Glyphs in Desmond's memory?

You have to find them all to find out.

What is this "disaster?" Does it refer to the Mayan prophecy about 2012? Anyone else confused or am I the only one?

I was confused, but not nearly as much as you, I guess.

 

[Kafloobop]

Well I wouldn't say that it would be bad if it didn't have the sci-fi and was just about different ancient assassins, but I do like it better with the sci-fi theme because it ties it all together and gives you a goal. A very vague goal but a goal all the same. Thought I did think that it was stupid in the first game because it still didn't really explain why I should care about the sci-fi parts at all yet.

 

[Julianking93]

Well, I think you're mistaken in who she addresses; technically, Desmond IS the audience. Somehow (some speculation exists that the pieces of Eden were made in the future and sent back in time) Minerva (do a search on Wikipedia of the name) knows about Desmond, hence Ezio being labelled the prophet.

And the entire point is that God doesn't exist, "those who came before" were/are a vastly superior race to us, although aesthetically similar. They created us in their own image. If you did 'The Truth' video you'll know about Adam and Eve.

Basically "those who came before" have been made into the idea of God (because of the power of the pieces of Eden) - it all fits VERY well.

The best proof of this is when the Pope actually says that God is beyond the doorway - when in fact it's Minerva, who was a part of the race of "those who came before". It smashes the idea of divinity by saying we were simply created by another race, possibly for the purpose of being used as slaves - when Adam and Eve escape Eden (with Eve having take the "Apple") they were presumably cast out by "those who came before".

Adam and Eve could clearly resist the effects of the piece of eden, just like Altair, Ezio (and presumably) Desmond. Desmond is proven to be related to Subject 16 as they have a DNA match shown at the beginning of the game, and it seems 16 recorded the video of Adam and Eve from the memory in his OWN DNA (likely his first ancestors). It can also be assumed that Desmond is also related.

Fantastic game BTW, love the fact its got the balls to do a story like this and not patronise you, it just tells it.

On a side note, when Ezio yells: "wait! I have so many questions!" when Minerva disappears, did anyone else feel bad for him?

His purpose in life was to give way to someone far more important (Desmond), and Minerva dismisses him so carelessly, after everything. He never really understands, despite his involvement; I found it to be quite sad.

The same with the codex pages that detailed more of Altair's life. Despite not being particularly likable in the first game, it was distressing to read about his ignorance of the greater scheme of things in the end.

I got that she was addressing Desmond (since she said "Desmond") and that Ezio was basically a messenger for Desmond. I know Minerva is a Roman God in that mythology and that it was basically saying "God doesn't exist, all religions are wrong" (one of the reasons I love this game so much) and that they were the advanced race that lived with humans.

I guess I didn't get it much because I only got about 3/4 the way through "The Truth" videos (I couldn't figure out the damn symbols on the wheels) but, I saw that it was basically the story of Adam and Eve leaving Eden.

And, yes, I felt sorry for Ezio too, that's why I'm asking what happens to him later. He was an extremely charming character and she dismisses him quickly without answering his questions.

So, basically, I got most of it. I was just unclear on a few things, but I guess thats why they have the sequel.

 

[Julianking93]

Am I just stupid not to get it completely? What happened to Ezio?

You keep playing as him after the credits.

What about the people who attacked the hideout?

You kill them?

What happened to the Doctor from the first game?

He drove away after you an Lucy fucked up his henchmen! Did you turn the game off the second the credits started rolling?

What about Subject 16 and those Glyphs in Desmond's memory?

You have to find them all to find out.

What is this "disaster?" Does it refer to the Mayan prophecy about 2012? Anyone else confused or am I the only one?

I was confused, but not nearly as much as you, I guess.

I didn't know you could keep the game going after the credits.

I know you kill them, I meant the whole Abstergo organization. Who were they?

I meant why did he drive away and where was he going.

I guess it is referencing the 2012 shit when they started talking about the whole magnetic poles thing.

 

[Woodsey]

Well, I think you're mistaken in who she addresses; technically, Desmond IS the audience. Somehow (some speculation exists that the pieces of Eden were made in the future and sent back in time) Minerva (do a search on Wikipedia of the name) knows about Desmond, hence Ezio being labelled the prophet.

And the entire point is that God doesn't exist, "those who came before" were/are a vastly superior race to us, although aesthetically similar. They created us in their own image. If you did 'The Truth' video you'll know about Adam and Eve.

Basically "those who came before" have been made into the idea of God (because of the power of the pieces of Eden) - it all fits VERY well.

The best proof of this is when the Pope actually says that God is beyond the doorway - when in fact it's Minerva, who was a part of the race of "those who came before". It smashes the idea of divinity by saying we were simply created by another race, possibly for the purpose of being used as slaves - when Adam and Eve escape Eden (with Eve having take the "Apple") they were presumably cast out by "those who came before".

Adam and Eve could clearly resist the effects of the piece of eden, just like Altair, Ezio (and presumably) Desmond. Desmond is proven to be related to Subject 16 as they have a DNA match shown at the beginning of the game, and it seems 16 recorded the video of Adam and Eve from the memory in his OWN DNA (likely his first ancestors). It can also be assumed that Desmond is also related.

Fantastic game BTW, love the fact its got the balls to do a story like this and not patronise you, it just tells it.

On a side note, when Ezio yells: "wait! I have so many questions!" when Minerva disappears, did anyone else feel bad for him?

His purpose in life was to give way to someone far more important (Desmond), and Minerva dismisses him so carelessly, after everything. He never really understands, despite his involvement; I found it to be quite sad.

The same with the codex pages that detailed more of Altair's life. Despite not being particularly likable in the first game, it was distressing to read about his ignorance of the greater scheme of things in the end.

I got that she was addressing Desmond (since she said "Desmond") and that Ezio was basically a messenger for Desmond. I know Minerva is a Roman God in that mythology and that it was basically saying "God doesn't exist, all religions are wrong" (one of the reasons I love this game so much) and that they were the advanced race that lived with humans.

I guess I didn't get it much because I only got about 3/4 the way through "The Truth" videos (I couldn't figure out the damn symbols on the wheels) but, I saw that it was basically the story of Adam and Eve leaving Eden.

And, yes, I felt sorry for Ezio too, that's why I'm asking what happens to him later. He was an extremely charming character and she dismisses him quickly without answering his questions.

So, basically, I got most of it. I was just unclear on a few things, but I guess thats why they have the sequel.

Well I think some of the genius of the series is showing how big this whole thing is, and how little a role the characters really play; it's a really emotionally-engaging thing to deal with.

The idea that most of us are always working in the shadow of someone else, and that are purpose in life is simply to give way to someone else. I mean, 30 years of his life for the mere minute she gave him, if that. To such a likable character as well, it was quite disheartening.

It reminds me of the Prince at the end of the Sands of Time - everything he goes through with Farah only for her not to recognise him.

Ubisoft Montreal can certainly play the sympathy card.

 

[Krythe]

The deep underlying meaning is this: "Buy the sequel! Coming Soon!"

Apparently earth was populated by a civilization before the rise of humanity who created humans and were then wiped out by a cataclysmic natural disaster which killed all of the technologically advanced master race, but spared the mud-hut dwelling humans.

The citizens of Atlantis "Those who came before" apparently had clairvoyance which enabled them to forsee the production of the animus and Desmond eventually using it (Which curiously did not forsee the world getting blown up and wiping out their civilization) and wrote a hologram to warn Desmond that the world was going to end a second time.

There's a brief summary and already we've raised more questions than we've answered.