The Evolution of the Assassin's Creed Game Series

Assassin's Creed is a popular action-adventure game series developed and published by Ubisoft. The first game in the series was released in 2007 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and since then, the series has become one of the most successful gaming franchises in history. The game series combines historical elements with science fiction to create a compelling narrative, gameplay, and mechanics. Over the years, the series has evolved and changed in many ways, introducing new gameplay mechanics, storylines, and characters, and in this blog post, we'll explore its evolution.

The First Installment: Assassin's Creed (2007)

The first installment of the series, Assassin's Creed, was released in 2007. The game was set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade and featured an assassin named Altair, who was tasked with killing nine influential figures in the Templar Order. The game's story was praised for its historical accuracy, and its gameplay mechanics, such as free-running and stealth, were innovative and unique. Critics praised the game's graphics, controls, and storyline, making it an instant hit.

The Sequels: Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations (2009-2011)

The success of the first game led to the development of several sequels. Assassin's Creed II was released in 2009 and introduced a new protagonist named Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The game was set in Renaissance Italy and featured a vast open-world environment, allowing players to explore and interact with historical figures. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as a new combat system, a crafting system, and the ability to recruit and train assassins.

The sequel, Brotherhood, was released in 2010 and continued the story of Ezio. The game introduced a new multiplayer mode, which was well received by critics and players alike. The game's storyline was praised for its depth and character development.

Revelations, the third game featuring Ezio, was released in 2011. The game saw Ezio travel to Constantinople, where he continued his search for answers about the assassin order. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to create and use bombs, and the hookblade, which allowed players to climb buildings faster. The game's storyline was considered weaker than the previous games, but it was still well-received by critics.

The Modern-Day Story: Assassin's Creed III, Black Flag, and Rogue (2012-2014)

Assassin's Creed III, released in 2012, introduced a new protagonist named Connor, who was half-native American, half-British. The game was set during the American Revolution and featured a new combat system, new weapons, and hunting mechanics. The game's story was praised for its historical accuracy, but the modern-day storyline, which focused on Desmond Miles, the series' main character, was criticized for being convoluted and confusing.

Black Flag, released in 2013, was set in the Golden Age of Piracy and introduced a new protagonist named Edward Kenway, a pirate and member of the Assassin Order. The game was praised for its naval combat mechanics, which allowed players to control a ship and engage in battles. The game's storyline was considered one of the best in the series, with well-developed characters and a compelling narrative.

Rogue, released in 2014, followed the story of Shay Cormac, an assassin turned Templar. The game was set during the Seven Years' War and featured a new location, the North Atlantic. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to use an air rifle and grenade launcher. The game's storyline was well-received, with critics praising the development of the game's villain, Shay Cormac.

The Reboot:

The Assassin's Creed series underwent a reboot in 2017 with the release of Assassin's Creed Origins. The game was set in Ancient Egypt and introduced a new protagonist named Bayek, the last Medjay, who was on a mission to protect his people and uncover a conspiracy involving the Order of the Ancients. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as a revamped combat system, a skill tree, and a new loot system.

Origins also marked a significant departure from the traditional linear narrative structure of the previous games, with a more open-world design and a greater emphasis on player choice. The game was well-received by both fans and critics, who praised the game's stunning visuals, engaging storyline, and impressive gameplay mechanics.

The success of Origins led to the development of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, released in 2018. The game was set in Ancient Greece and featured two new protagonists, Alexios and Kassandra, who were mercenaries and descendants of the First Civilization. The game introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as dialogue choices, romance options, and a branching narrative structure.

Odyssey was praised for its immersive world-building, engaging storyline, and impressive gameplay mechanics. However, some fans criticized the game's deviation from the series' traditional narrative structure and its focus on microtransactions.

The Future of the Series:

The Assassin's Creed series has come a long way since its inception in 2007. The series has evolved and changed in many ways, introducing new gameplay mechanics, storylines, and characters. With the success of the reboot, it seems that the series is heading in a new direction, focusing on open-world design, player choice, and a more immersive experience.

As a fan of the series, I am excited to see where the series will go next. I hope that future installments will continue to build upon the successes of Origins and Odyssey while also addressing some of the criticisms of the series' previous games.

In conclusion, the Assassin's Creed series has had a significant impact on the gaming industry, introducing new gameplay mechanics and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming. The series has undergone several changes and evolutions over the years, but its core themes of freedom, justice, and the fight against oppression have remained consistent. With the future of the series looking bright, I am excited to see what the next installment has in store for us.