Eagle Vision

Eagle Vision is an ability of both Ezio and Altaïr to instinctively sense the affiliation of people to themselves. It is a common game mechanic in both games. Sometimes, Eagle Vision not only "colors" people, but also objects that may help either characters' objectives and endeavors.

Assassin's Creed
It is a first-person view in Assassin's Creed. It changes the camera's point of view to that of Altaïr, and uses different color glows to distinguish for the player between different classes of NPCs:



*Note: There is a Masyaf guard in the kingdom (nearby the first view point and the entrance to Masyaf) that shows red, but does nothing hostile, and should you kill him, the other guards will react normally.

To use Eagle Vision, the player must press the Head button. Depending on control settings, the Head button will most likely be either (for Playstation 3), Y (for Xbox 360), or E (for PC default layout). In addition, the Synchronization bar must be at its current maximum capacity, otherwise pressing the Head button will instead result in a first-person view with no extra benefits.

When Altaïr climbs to the top of a View Point, he must press the Head button to view his surroundings and update the map. Once doing so, Altaïr could only view with Eagle Vision when perched on the Viewpoint.

At the end of Assassin's Creed, after Altaïr (controlled by Desmond) kills Al Mualim, Desmond gains the ability to use Eagle Vision outside of the Animus. In addition, observes Lucy glowing blue, confirming her as an ally and Warren Vidic can be seen glowing red, confirming him as an enemy. Eagle Vision also reveals Cryptic Messages Subject 16 wrote with his own blood in the Abstergo Laboratory.

Assassin's Creed II
In Assassin's Creed II, Ezio can also use the Eagle Vision like his ancestor. A key difference of the abilities is that Ezio can move while using the ability in exchange of the glow of the NPC character(s) not retaining once Eagle Vision is inactive. The HUD disappears while using the ability and it will be a third-person view.

Like the previous game, invisible writing and now Glyphs can be viewed, along with the the mass of swirling numbers and symbols that accompany Glyphs.

In one of Subject 16's truth files entitled Bloodlines, you must pick out the paintings that contain humans that have had children with gods. After you do this, Subject 16 says, "Behold the Assassins, the children of two worlds!" He also says, "Why do we have these gifts? Because it's in our blood!" This implies that because Altaïr, Ezio, Desmond and Subject 16 all have Eagle Vision, their bloodline is connected to one of Those Who Came Before.