The latest instalment in the Assassin's Creed Developer diary highlights the architecture of the game, the history accessible via an in-game database, the Assassin's Villa, Ezio on a horse and reinforces what an enormous project this game has been.

If you haven't already, check out our Assassin's Creed Preview and a look at Ezio's Da Vinci arsenal.

Few places in the world, or periods in history, have such spectacular architecture and if you were in any doubt about how well this was going to be presented in Assassin's Creed 2, check the video out.  What's even better for history fans, whether they know it yet or not, is the added depth and history available to the player via the in-game database.  The information on offer and the attention to detail in the recreation of the period goes to show what an enormous project making this game was.

The concept of Ezio's Villa looks great and is one of the aspects I'm most looking forward to.  In the villa you'll find everything you've collected in the game and through the in-game economy.  It also looks like you'll be able to upgrade and extend your villa and the town to enhance your income and surroundings.

As well as the actual features of the game it's also really interesting to see and “meet” the writers, producers, creative director and historian behind the game.

Finally of course while it's well known and been seen before it's good to see Ezio on a horse and will hopefully be included in the game with at least as much fun and effectiveness as Epona is in the Zelda games.