You’re running across the terracotta rooftops of Florence, the wind whistling past Ezio’s hood, and then you see it. A weird, shimmering digital glitch on the side of a historic landmark. If you’ve played this masterpiece, you know that’s the start of a rabbit hole. Those glowing symbols lead to the Subject 16 puzzles, a series of mind-bending riddles that actually bridge the gap between historical fiction and a terrifying global conspiracy. Finding Assassin's Creed 2 glyph solutions isn't just about clearing a map; it's about unlocking "The Truth," a video clip that fundamentally changed the series' lore back in 2009.
Honestly, some of these are a total nightmare. While the early ones are basically "spot the difference" for art history nerds, the later puzzles involving circular code wheels and hidden infrared layers can make you want to throw your controller. You're trying to prove a lineage of Pieces of Eden through human history, and Ubisoft didn't make it easy.
Why These Puzzles Still Trip People Up
Most players get stuck because the game stops holding your hand after the first five. The logic shifts. Suddenly, you aren't just looking for a golden apple in a painting of Napoleon; you’re solving 18th-century cyphers.
The first few glyphs, like "In the Beginning," are simple. You look at five paintings that share a common theme—usually power or divinity—and select them. It’s a warm-up. But by the time you hit the "Apollo" or "The Fourth Day" puzzles, the game expects you to understand how the Templars and Assassins have influenced every major geopolitical event since the dawn of time.
It's deep. It's weird. And if you miss one tiny detail in a photo of a moon landing, you're stuck in a loop.
Breaking Down the Trickiest Assassin's Creed 2 Glyph Solutions
Let’s get into the ones that actually cause the most frustration. You’ve probably already found the easy ones on the Santa Maria del Fiore or the Ospedale degli Innocenti.
The Infamous Code Wheels
The code wheels are the absolute worst. You’re given a string of numbers and a wheel of symbols. You have to align them based on a hint, often hidden in the flavor text or a nearby photo.
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For Glyph 13 (The Hierarchy), you're looking at a code wheel where the key is hidden in a picture of a protest. The hint is "4 = I." If you align the number 4 with the Roman numeral I on the wheel, the rest of the symbols fall into place. It sounds easy, but the symbols are often abstract or distorted, making it easy to misalign them by one notch.
Pro tip: Pay attention to the "skipped" spaces. Sometimes the wheel isn't a 1-to-1 ratio, and you have to account for a jump in the sequence.
The "Power" Paintings
A recurring theme in the Assassin's Creed 2 glyph solutions is identifying who holds a Piece of Eden. In "The Brothers that overthrew their Guardians," you have to pick five paintings out of ten. The trick? Look for the Apple.
- Atalanta and Hippomenes
- Paris and the Golden Apple
- Hercules in the Garden of the Hesperides
- The Fall (Adam and Eve)
- Idun and the Apples
If you choose anything else, the puzzle resets. The game is subtly telling you that the "forbidden fruit" in every religion was actually the same piece of ancient technology. It’s brilliant storytelling, but it’s a pain when you’re just trying to get that achievement.
The Infrared and Sound Wave Puzzles
Later in the game, you’ll encounter puzzles that require you to scan a photo using an infrared-style filter. You're looking for hidden heat signatures that reveal the location of an Apple of Eden or a Staff.
In the "Synapses" puzzle (Glyph 20), you have to manipulate a brain scan. It’s arguably the hardest one in the game. You aren't just looking for an object; you're aligning the neural pathways to form a specific shape. This is the final gatekeeper before you see the full "Truth" video.
The Locations You Keep Missing
If you're sitting at 19/20 and can't find that last one, check the corners of the map. Most people miss the one at the Abbazia di San Mercuriale in Forlì. It’s tucked away on a wall that isn't part of any main story mission, so unless you’re actively hunting for it, you’ll breeze right past.
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Another sneaky one is in Venice, at the San Pietro di Castello. Because the architecture in Venice is so dense and vertical, the "Eagle Vision" prompt for a glyph sometimes doesn't trigger unless you're standing on a very specific ledge.
Does "The Truth" Actually Matter?
Yes.
If you skip these, you're missing the backbone of the entire Assassin's Creed franchise. The video you unlock shows Adam and Eve—who are revealed to be early human rebels—escaping from an Isu (First Civilization) factory. It recontextualizes the entire war between the Brotherhood and the Templars. It’s not just about politics or freedom; it’s about who owns the biological code of humanity.
Moving Forward With Your Completionist Run
If you're stuck on a specific wheel, don't just guess. The game uses a consistent logic. Look for the "Key" in the red text descriptions provided by Subject 16. Usually, there is a number or a symbol mentioned that acts as your anchor point.
Once you’ve cleared all 20, you’ll get the "Vitruvian Man" achievement/trophy. But more importantly, you’ll finally see the "The Truth" video in its entirety. It’s 30 seconds of footage that basically broke the internet in 2009 and still holds up as one of the best "lore drops" in gaming history.
Your next steps for a 100% run:
- Check your Database: Open the "Locations" tab in your menu. Any building with a small eye icon next to it has a glyph you haven't found yet.
- Sync the Viewpoints: You can't see the "glitch" effect on buildings from a distance unless the area's viewpoint is synchronized.
- Use Eagle Vision Constantly: If you're near a landmark and Ezio says something about "Subject 16" or a "glitch," pop Eagle Vision immediately. The glyph will glow bright white.
- Don't Overthink the Puzzles: If a code wheel seems impossible, reset it. Sometimes you've accidentally turned one of the inner rings without realizing it, throwing off the whole sequence.
Solving these is a rite of passage for any AC fan. It’s the moment the series turned from a simple historical action game into a complex sci-fi epic. Good luck, and stay out of the haystacks.
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