Discovery of the Apple of Eden

Lore & Background

Forged by the Isu before the Great Cataclysm, Apples of Eden serve as sophisticated tools of control. They emit a frequency that interacts with the brain's neural pathways, allowing the user to issue commands that victims feel compelled to obey, effectively stripping them of their free will. Beyond simple obedience, these artifacts can project complex illusions, alter perception, and even induce hallucinations or physical pain in those who resist the user's influence. The technology is so advanced it appears magical to humans, often mistaken for divine intervention by religious groups throughout history.

The struggle over these artifacts defines the core conflict of the Assassin-Templar war. While Templars view the Apples as necessary tools to bring order and peace to a chaotic world through enforced compliance, Assassins argue that true peace cannot exist without the freedom to choose one's own path. The discovery of an Apple often triggers immediate escalation in violence, as both factions race to secure or destroy it before the other can leverage its power.

In Their Own Story

The air in the dusty archive grew heavy, charged with a static hum that made the hair on Ezio's arms stand up. Before him, resting on a velvet cushion within a locked chest, sat the Apple of Eden. It pulsed with a soft, rhythmic light, shifting from deep blue to a blinding white as if breathing. He reached out, his fingers trembling slightly not from fear, but from the overwhelming pressure of its presence. As soon as his skin brushed the smooth surface, the room seemed to dissolve; shadows stretched into monsters and allies turned into demons in his mind's eye. The artifact whispered promises of absolute order, a world without pain or chaos, yet Ezio knew that such peace was merely a prison for the soul.

Reader's Guide

The narrative arc surrounding the Apple begins in ancient Egypt, where Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad retrieves one from the hands of Robert de Sablé. This artifact allows Altaïr to confront his master and eventually understand the nature of the Pieces of Eden, leading him to hide it away after realizing its potential for tyranny.

Centuries later, during the Italian Renaissance, Ezio Auditore da Firenze uncovers another Apple buried beneath the Vatican. His possession of this device grants him unprecedented abilities in combat and stealth but also draws the relentless attention of the Borgia family and the Templars. The struggle to keep the Apple from Cesare Borgia defines much of his early journey.

The impact of these discoveries is profound, often forcing Assassins to confront the temptation of power they seek to deny. Each retrieval leads to a deeper understanding of the Isu legacy while highlighting the eternal philosophical divide between freedom and control that drives the secret war forward.

Did You Know?

• Apples of Eden can cause severe physical pain or even death if used on someone who strongly resists their will.
• The artifact is not a single object but refers to multiple devices created by the Isu across different eras.
• In some timelines, the Apple has been used to create large-scale hallucinations affecting entire cities.
• Modern-day Assassins still track down remaining Apples, fearing they could be weaponized by contemporary Templar factions.

Narrative Context and Historical Setting

Set between the twelfth and thirteenth sequences of its main counterpart, this title transports players to the turbulent years of 1491 and 1492. The narrative follows Ezio Auditore da Firenze as he shifts his focus from Italy to Spain, driven by an urgent need to aid fellow Assassins being systematically hunted by the Templar Order under the guise of the Spanish Inquisition. Initially summoned to Venice by ally Antonio de Magianis, Ezio meets Luis de Santángel, a contact representing Christopher Columbus. Fearing for the navigator's life due to his potential connections with Templar Grandmaster Rodrigo Borgia, Ezio agrees to protect him and secure a vital atlas containing expedition routes. Upon learning that Tomás de Torquemada has arrested much of the Spanish Brotherhood, Ezio postpones his personal quest for the Apple of Eden. He travels to Barcelona to reform the local resistance, only to find their headquarters overrun by Inquisition soldiers, forcing him into an immediate fight for survival and liberation.

Gameplay Mechanics and Combat Systems

As a 2.5D side-scrolling action-adventure title, the game immerses players in a stylized version of Ezio's world where verticality remains key despite the perspective shift. Players navigate levels across Italy and Spain by scaling buildings, rolling, jumping, and swinging through environments while managing encounters with various enemy archetypes like Halberd Guards, Captain Guards, and Archers. Combat mirrors the depth of mainline entries, featuring chain attacks to break defenses, counterattacks for instant kills, and clash mechanics that test player strength via a pressure bar. The experience is diversified by three distinct memory types: Normal missions allow exploration; Chase memories demand speed under constant arrow fire; and Stealth levels require silent takedowns with strict limits on detection. Additionally, the game introduces Animus Hacks, unlockable cheats ranging from character skins to movement boosts, though only one can be active per level, adding a layer of strategic customization.

Development History and Platform Release

Announced during a pivotal Apple Inc. keynote speech in September 2009 by producer Ben Mattes, the game was initially slated for a November release on the Nintendo DS. While the handheld version launched successfully that month, the iOS port faced an unexplained delay until January 7, 2010. Developed by Griptonite Games and published by Ubisoft, this spin-off served as a narrative bridge within the broader Assassin's Creed universe. Critics generally received it well, viewing it as a significant improvement over its predecessor, Altaïr's Chronicles. However, the digital lifecycle of the iOS version was short-lived; despite its initial positive reception and unique features like facial likeness integration for wanted posters, Ubisoft removed the game from the App Store in 2013. This removal marked the end of an era for mobile fans who had enjoyed this specific adaptation of Ezio's Spanish journey.

Collectibles and Synchronization Challenges

Beyond standard mission completion, the game emphasizes thorough exploration through a robust system of collectibles and optional objectives designed to achieve 100% synchronization. Players hunt for five distinct item types: memory paths that serve as guides, Renaissance maps unlocking challenge rooms in the Animus corridor, knives to replenish throwing supplies, wanted posters that restore health when collected in quantity, and hidden art pieces found within secret mission areas. The title also pioneered features like importing player photos to replace Ezio's image on wanted posters or using discovered art as device wallpapers. To master each memory, players must meet specific criteria such as completing levels within time limits, sustaining minimal damage, or maximizing enemy kills. These challenges are further tested in dedicated rooms where specific objectives must be cleared, rewarding skilled play with synchronization points that unlock the aforementioned Animus Hacks.