Secret locations

The Secret Locations in Assassin's Creed II are Prince of Persia-like platform levels which must be completed through free running and some puzzle solving. These missions are optional. However, the first one must be done to discover a Templar conspiracy against the Medicis.

Each location has several stages and each one has a different platforming objective, from climbing high towers from the inside to timed free running trials meant to test a player's abilities. 6 secret locations are also Assassin Tombs containing seals necessary to unlock Altaïr's Armor, which is the most powerful armor in the game and is necessary for Desmond to achieve full synchronization with Ezio. The first Assassin Tomb (the secret location mentioned in the first paragraph) does not count as a "secret" location, but does contain one of the 6 seals necessary to unlock Altaïr's Armor. In addition, the last secret location in the secret locations tab of the DNA menu is also an Assassin Tomb, but does not hold one of the seals necessary to unlock Altaïr's Armor.

List of Secret Locations
There are four DLC's locations and 3 Templar Secret Locations:
 * Basilica di San Marco (Assassin Tomb)
 * Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore (Assassin Tomb)
 * Torre Grossa (Assassin Tomb)
 * Rocca Di Ravaldino (Assassin Tomb)
 * Santa Maria Della Visitazione (Assassin Tomb)
 * Santa Maria Novella (Assassin Tomb)
 * Auditore Family Crypt (Assassin Tomb, the only one that does not hold a seal necessary to unlock Altaïr's Armor) - Uplay downloadable content)
 * Palazzo Medici (Templar Lair - GameStop pre-order exclusive for US versions, Master Assassin and Black Limited Editions)
 * Santa Maria Dei Frari (Templar Lair - GameStop pre-order exclusive for US versions, Master Assassin, White and Black Limited Editions)
 * Arsenal Shipyard (Templar Lair - included in Best Buy edition and Black Limited Edition)

Pre-release presentation video
thumb|400px|left|Ezio in Santa Maria Novella' Catacombs