TheAssassin’s Creedseries is about to enter a brand-new era, as Ubisoft has multiple games in development through its studios around the world.Ubisoft Montreal recently revealedAssassin’s Creed Hexe, which is set in Central Europe during the 16th Century witch trials. Ubisoft promises thatAssassin’s CreedHexewill be one of the darkest games in the series yet, taking full advantage of the period’s setting and cultural fears. Given theAssassin’s Creedseries' unique way of retelling historical events,Hexeis in a position to reinvent Central Europe’s witch hunts through the lens of the Assassin-Templar War. The title’s combat could setAssassin’s Creed Hexeapart, as Ubisoft will likely introduce magic-focused abilities, albeit with an in-universe twist.
Assassin’s Creed Hexewill transport players into one of the most feverishly spiritual eras in human history. Between 1400 and 1782, more than 40,000 European citizens were executed due to suspicion of witchcraft. Though little is known about how theAssassin’s Creedfranchise will tackle such serious subject matter, long-time fans can expect to see the series' unique brand of alternate history explain the period’s connection to a deeper conflict happening in the shadows. For the first time in the series' history, Ubisoft may inject the title’s combat with methods that invoke the supernatural, whether directly or indirectly.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed Red Seems Poised to Offer The Perfect Gameplay Compromise
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Could Feature Actual Magic
Assassin’s Creed Hexe’s settingsets the stage for an entirely new brand of combat. In a first for the series,Hexemay lean intoAssassin’s Creed’s deeper lore to provide players with abilities akin to magic. These abilities could be used throughout the game’s combat, allowing players to pick and choose skills that complement their particular play style. Stealth, in particular, could benefit most, as players can use alternative means of concealing themselves or pitting enemies against each other using witchcraft.
Assassin’s Creed Hexecould revamp one of the series' least appreciated mechanics, by utilizing a cooperative coven dynamic. Recent titles in theAssassin’s Creedseries have forgone a co-op mode, butHexeis the perfect opportunity to naturally reintroduce the mechanic. Covens are at the very foundation of witchcraft and could provide a significant boost toHexe’s magic-focused combat. The title could perhaps feature unique skills and spells for co-op gameplay only, allowing players to work together to effect a larger area together or to boost a single active assassin from the shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Hexe Could Feature Advanced Technology
Ubisoft may introduce magical combat intoAssassin’s Creed Hexe, but longtime fans know that there is another method through which the title may explain the Assassins' ties to witchcraft.Assassin’s Creedlore is centered around the Isu, an ancient and highly-advanced race of humanoid beings that existed millennia before the series' proceedings. Early titles in theAssassin’s Creedseries had players hunt down Isu artifacts, whose technology gave their possessor seemingly supernatural attributes.Assassin’s Creed Hexemay foundation the era’s concept of witchcraft in advanced Isu technology. An Assassin or Templar’s use of this technology could appear as magic, warranting their label as a witch.
Assassin’s Creed Hexecould transport the series into a new genrealtogether, as dark and seemingly supernatural elements are used by and against the player in combat. Whether those elements are steeped in actual witchcraft or Isu technology,Hexepromises to provide longtime fans with a wholly unique entry in theAssassin’s Creedseries. Players hoping for more insight into how the Assassin–Templar War influencesHexe’s witch-centered world will likely be waiting for quite some time, as Ubisoft has yet to announce a release window. Until more news is available, fans of theAssassin’s Creedseries can look forward toAssassin’s Creed Mirage, which is set to release later this year.
