How to Use the Viewpoints in "Assassin's Creed"

The world map is an important tool in “Assassin’s Creed.” It shows you in-game objectives and helps orient you to your current location. When you first enter a city or town, your map will be only partially visible. To clear the map and make the entire town visible, you will need to access the many viewpoints available in each area. Once you have successfully navigated a viewpoint, the area surrounding it will be visible on your map.

Open your map and locate the nearest viewpoint. Viewpoints show up as small eagle icons.

Run to the viewpoint and examine the structure for a way to begin climbing. Viewpoints are almost always tall buildings or towers.

Climb to the top of the viewpoint. This may take several tries, as many viewpoints are like vertical mazes with only one correct path to the top.

Walk out onto the small wooden ledge at the top of the viewpoint and hit the "Head" button to synchronize the viewpoint to your map.

Press forward on the control stick and hit the jump button to perform a leap of faith into a nearby haystack, returning you safely to the ground.