Assassins Creed Through the Years
Assassin’s Creed is a popular action-adventure video game series that has captured the hearts of gamers all over the world. Developed by Ubisoft, the first game in the series was released in 2007 and since then, it has become one of the most successful and beloved franchises in the gaming industry. With its unique blend of historical fiction, stealth gameplay, and open-world exploration, Assassin’s Creed has evolved and grown over the years, constantly pushing the boundaries of what a video game can be. In this blog post, we will take a look at the evolution of Assassin’s Creed through the years and how it has become the iconic franchise it is today.
The Birth of Assassin’s Creed
The first game in the series, simply titled “Assassin’s Creed”, was released in 2007 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. Set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade, players took on the role of Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, a member of the Assassin Brotherhood, as he carried out missions to eliminate key targets in order to restore peace to the land. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and immersive storyline. It also introduced the iconic hidden blade, a signature weapon of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
However, the game also faced criticism for its repetitive missions and lack of variety in gameplay. Despite this, it was a commercial success, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and laying the foundation for what would become one of the most successful video game franchises of all time.
The Rise of Ezio Auditore
In 2009, Ubisoft released the highly anticipated sequel, “Assassin’s Creed II”. This time, players took on the role of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a young Italian nobleman seeking revenge against the Templars for the death of his family. Set in the Italian Renaissance, the game featured a vast open-world, improved gameplay mechanics, and a more complex and engaging storyline.
“Assassin’s Creed II” was a critical and commercial success, selling over 9 million copies worldwide. It also introduced new features such as the ability to swim, fly Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machine, and use a variety of new weapons and gadgets. The game also spawned two direct sequels, “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood” and “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations”, both of which continued Ezio’s story and added new gameplay elements such as the ability to recruit and train assassins.
The Revolutionary “Assassin’s Creed III”
In 2012, Ubisoft released “Assassin’s Creed III”, which marked a major shift in the franchise. Set during the American Revolution, players took on the role of Connor Kenway, a half-Native American, half-British assassin. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics such as hunting, naval combat, and a revamped combat system. It also featured a new protagonist and a new setting, which divided fans of the series.
Despite the mixed reception, “Assassin’s Creed III” was a commercial success, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. It also introduced the modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles, to a dramatic conclusion in the game’s ending, setting the stage for future installments in the series.
The Golden Age of “Assassin’s Creed”
From 2013 to 2015, Ubisoft released three main installments in the series, each set in a different historical period and featuring a new protagonist. “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013) took players on a pirate adventure in the Caribbean, “Assassin’s Creed Unity” (2014) was set during the French Revolution, and “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate” (2015) took place in Victorian London.
These games were praised for their stunning graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and engaging storylines. They also introduced new features such as co-op multiplayer, customizable gear, and a grappling hook. However, the annual release of new games in the series led to franchise fatigue among some fans, and the games faced criticism for their lack of innovation and repetitive gameplay.
The Rebirth of “Assassin’s Creed”
In 2017, Ubisoft took a break from the annual release cycle and released “Assassin’s Creed Origins”, which marked a major shift in the franchise. Set in ancient Egypt, the game introduced a new protagonist, Bayek of Siwa, and revamped the gameplay mechanics to focus more on RPG elements such as leveling up, skill trees, and loot. It also featured a vast open-world, stunning graphics, and a more immersive and engaging storyline.
“Assassin’s Creed Origins” was a critical and commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. It also received praise for its new direction and revitalizing the franchise. This success continued with the release of “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” in 2018, which built upon the RPG elements introduced in Origins and took players on a journey through ancient Greece.
The Future of “Assassin’s Creed”
With the success of “Assassin’s Creed Origins” and “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey”, it is clear that the franchise has found a new direction and is here to stay. In 2020, Ubisoft released “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla”, which takes players on a Viking adventure in medieval England. The game has received positive reviews and has already sold over 1 million copies in its first week of release.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft has announced that they will continue to release new games in the series, with “Assassin’s Creed Infinity” being the next installment. This game will be a live service platform that will evolve and expand over time, allowing players to experience different settings and time periods within the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in 2007 to its current status as one of the most successful video game franchises, Assassin’s Creed has come a long way. With its unique blend of historical fiction, stealth gameplay, and open-world exploration, the series has evolved and grown over the years, constantly pushing the boundaries of what a video game can be. With the future of the franchise looking bright, we can’t wait to see where Assassin’s Creed will take us next.
Assassin’s Creed is a popular action-adventure video game series that has captured the hearts of gamers all over the world. Developed by Ubisoft, the first game in the series was released in 2007 and since then, it has become one of the most successful and beloved franchises in the gaming industry. With its unique blend…