Is Assassin's Creed Prepared for Its Upcoming Age?
A Change of Pace for Assassin's Creed
In a slightly altered timeline, 2025 would've been a notable year for Ubisoft's iconic action-stealth series, Assassin's Creed. Originally scheduled for November 15, 2024, the Japan-set Assassin's Creed Shadows would've celebrated the 15th anniversary of Assassin's Creed II and the 10th anniversary of Assassin's Creed Unity, two of the franchise's most defining entries. However, a double delay pushed the game's release back to March 20, 2025. A lot hangs on this title, as it may be one of Ubisoft's final releases before a potential Tencent buyout, and the pre-release leak has sent ripples, with Ubisoft urging players to steer clear of spoilers when possible. Indeed, the waters surrounding this particular Creed are murky, what with the cultural buzz over one of its leads, a historical figure with a storied presence in Japanese media.
Once upon a time, Assassin's Creed was merely a game with an intriguing premise, promoted with tantalizing whispers of greater secrets. Joining the ranks of games that spawned franchises during the PS3/360 era (Uncharted, Borderlands, etc.), the first Creed had its rough edges, but its fresh ideas and appealing concept were enough to carry it through. The sequel, set in Renaissance Italy, was a breath of fresh air, following the journey of Ezio Auditore Firenze, a rich playboy turned hooded assassin seeking justice for the noble family that was wronged. And it didn't shy away from taking risks, like starting players as a newborn Ezio or hinting at connections dating back to Adam and Eve.
Ezio's saga continued with Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood in 2010 and Assassin's Creed Revelations in 2011, marking the start of the series' transition into an annual release. The II trilogy casts a long shadow over the rest of the franchise; Ezio is the only Assassin to have an entire sub-series dedicated to him, and even after his tale concluded, he continued to make appearances. He guest-starred in Soul Calibur V, mentored Shao Jun in Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China, and his musical theme has been subtly adapted to fit the changing musical styles of Creed's various settings.
But all goodwill eventually reaches its limit, and every franchise eventually hits a wall. That came with Unity, the series' first foray onto the new-gen PS4/Xbox One, and its introduction of four-player co-op. (Unity's reveal trailer and a goofy TV promo for co-op remain some of the franchise's finest marketing moments.) Set during the French Revolution, the game tells the story of Arno Dorian, a French Assassin orphaned by a fellow Assassin, and drawn into the Templars' orbit, only to eventually defect back to the Assassins. Elise, his childhood friend-turned-love interest, remains with the Templars, complicating matters further.
Unity was launched to mixed reviews due to its rocky technical performance. However, opinions have softened thanks to patches, and it sold well, although the damage had been done. Ubisoft stopped annualizing the series, opting for a "when it's ready" approach, which saw some back-to-back releases. After Assassin's Creed Syndicate in 2015, Ubisoft took a break in 2016 before rejuvenating the series with 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins. This marked a pivot towards an action-RPG, complete with gear numbers and skill trees. Since 2023's Assassin's Creed Mirage, the franchise has embraced its new direction, with mainline entries like Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018) and Valhalla (2020) further delving into the genre with dialogue choices, romance options, and the ability to play as both male and female characters.
These elements all return for Shadows, which stars young shinobi Naoe Fujibayashi and Yasuke, a real-life African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga in 1581 and 1582. While the series has always been a blend of fiction and history, the decision to incorporate a historical figure like Yasuke into the heart of the story is noteworthy. This choice exemplifies Ubisoft's commitment to integrating diverse historical figures into their narratives, potentially capturing a wider audience and increasing the series' educational value.
In a November 2024 BAFTA talk, series executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté referred to Shadows as the start of Assassin's Creed's "third period." The first period was characterized by Ubisoft discovering a hot new IP with an enthusiastic fanbase, and the second by realizing they bit off more than they could chew, opting for a mix-up of the formula. As of that interview, the focus for this new era is returning history to the forefront of the experience, with the franchise's absurd lore being one of its unique selling points. The deliberate inclusion of Yasuke could set the precedent for a more diverse roster of real-world figures in future Creed games, symbolizing a clear, non-bigoted response to his presence in Shadows.
Assassin's Creed tends to perform well, and the series rarely struggles to satisfy its dedicated fanbase. Despite a few stumbles, like Unity, the franchise has weathered its fair share of knocks and come back fighting. But times have changed, and the recovery period between setbacks has grown progressively shorter. Ubisoft itself may be in need of a revamp, aiming to improve its working conditions and foster a healthier environment for everyone. It's crucial for the company to succeed, but a game like Shadows, filled with stealth and lethal parkour, shouldn't bear the weight of that responsibility alone.
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Assassin's Creed Shadows and Its Impact
Delays and Financial Implications
Due to delays, the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows was moved from November 15, 2024, to March 20, 2025[3][5]. This delay could have implications for Ubisoft's financial performance, especially given the company's recent revenue challenges[4].
Ubisoft and Potential Buyout by Tencent
The game's success is vital for Ubisoft, which has grappled with financial issues and rumors of a potential buyout by Tencent[4]. A successful release can help stabilize Ubisoft's financial situation and demonstrate its ability to deliver quality games despite external pressures.
Historical Character Yasuke
Yasuke, an African samurai, is one of the game's protagonists, inspired by the historical figure of the same name. His inclusion adds a fresh perspective to the game, shedding light on the historical presence of African samurai in Japan during the Sengoku period. This character choice highlights Ubisoft's effort to incorporate diverse historical figures into their narratives, potentially expanding the game's audience and educational value[2][5].
Setting and Gameplay
Featuring two playable characters, Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke, Assassin's Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan, providing a fresh backdrop for the series. The game delves into the ongoing conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order[2][5].
Platforms and Preloading
Assassin's Creed Shadows will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, macOS, and iPadOS. Players were able to prepare for the release via preloading, with file sizes varying by platform[3][4].
Historical and Cultural Significance
The game's setting in 16th-century Japan offers rich ground for historical exploration, covering topics like the influence of foreign traders and missionaries. This setting allows for detailed landmarks and strongholds, enhancing the game's immersive experience[5].
In summary, Assassin's Creed Shadows is significant due to its diverse characters, fresh setting, and potential impact on Ubisoft's financial future, amid rumors of external investment or buyouts. The game's inclusion of a historical figure like Yasuke underscores Ubisoft's commitment to representing varied historical figures in their narratives, which could shape the future of the Creed franchise.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release in 2025, might be one of Ubisoft's final releases before the potential Tencent buyout, given its significant financial implications for the company.
- Ubisoft is employing diverse historical figures, such as Yasuke, a real-life African samurai, in the heart of Shadows' story, which exemplifies their commitment to diversifying their narratives and increasing the series' educational value.
- Reminiscent of its roots, Assassin's Creed Shadows, slated for 2025, marks the start of a new era for the franchise, focusing on returning history to the forefront of the experience, as outlined by series executive producer Marc-Alexis Coté.
- Despite the impending era change, Creed maintains its ionic games elements, such as stealth and lethal parkour, aiming to satisfy its dedicated fanbase but not bearing the weight of Ubisoft's possible revamp single-handedly.
