10 Best Starting Areas In Open-World Video Games

The reconstructed city of Renaissance-era Florence provides a perfect backdrop as Ezio Auditore da Firenze attempts to avenge his family's death at the hands of the cruel Templar Order. The seminal 2009 open-world sequel went above and beyond the original installment of the game, which helped Ezio become one of the most iconic characters in modern gaming.

Florence is perfectly recaptured in its 15th-century glory which gives the player the chance to explore the city and climb notable landmarks, uncovering an intriguing story surrounding the Assassins Creed. The openness of the first act makes for a great tutorial of sorts for the whole game and the rest of the series that would ensue in Brotherhood, Revelations, and beyond.

As the story unfolds, Ezio will travel to other Italian cities such as San Gimignano, Forli, Venice, and even Vatican City, but Florence is by far the most detailed and fun to explore in the game.

The classic still holds up to this day as one of the best video game world's ever made, which will be immediately apparent as soon as players begin exploring Florence.