As rumors continue to spread about the release of the next installment in the Assassin's Creed series, the fanbase has been alive with predictions about future games. As everyone shares what they would like to see, some have discovered that their own perspectives may not be shared among the larger fanbase.
With so many gamers playing each iteration of the series, it isn't all that surprising that some of them have some unpopular opinions. However, some of their unpopular opinions are genuinely surprising.
The Franchise Should Have Ended After Assassin's Creed III
Enthusiasts of any franchise often yearn for the good old days of games, when beloved elements were still extraordinarily prominent, and modern innovations may not have spurned changes. Players love to reminisce about old games, but some fans take it a step further.
After Assassin's Creed III, Reddit game, it did begin a slow decline in the story's engagement with the modern storyline.
Return To The Old School Combat System
The modern combat system in the games allows for players to adapt their gameplay according to their own preferences, often utilizing skill trees to help ensure that the fighting abilities of each character in Assassin's Creed suit their needs. But some Redditors yearn for the old, more firm combat system.
"There's a certain fluidity to combat in the earlier games that Origins/Odyssey lack," says Turin_The_Mormegil. "Aesthetically, the combat in Origins/Odyssey does nothing for me." The old system was somewhat slower than more recent games, but the careful movements did add a certain level of realism to the assassins that many diehard fans prefer.
The Games Need More Of The Modern Day
While many gamers don't want to be drawn away from the main narrative setting, some genuinely enjoy the modern segments. Redditor Sandgrease says, "The modern parts made the whole series make sense, and without it nothing really makes sense as to why people are going into the animus at all."
To that extent, it's understandable that players are attached. Without it, the assassins need not be connected at all, and the stories could just be scattered experiences of Templars and assassins fighting across time and across the world without abandon. The entire narrative hinges on those moments, and so maybe it's worth sacrificing some time in the past to experience some semblance of the future those assassins were fighting for.
Odyssey and Origins Should Be Part Of A Different Franchise
Though many fans still love the recent games, some it that the difference between the current games and some of the older iterations is too vast. "Origins and Odyessy are barely connected to the games that came before and should be a different franchise," says Acc248. "Seriously a tiny minor change and you have 'The Stabbing Chronicles: Magi and Misthios'."
With larger open worlds than ever before, and without the Brotherhood and Templar warfare that previous games were renowned for, the games do at times feel entirely different, especially given the limitations of the modern arc in the games.
The Story Doesn't Matter
as a franchise often relies on cliches and narrative crutches to help move the plots along. To some fans, it isn't necessary. "I don't care so much about the story," says ramzie. "As long as the gameplay is smooth and the world looks beautiful I will like it."
This perspective is fairly unique, but also understandable. Sometimes visiting Layla or Desmond can drag away from gameplay that allows players to traverse Egypt or hunt down nobility. When gamers run to the newest game, they look forward to sailing the high seas or raiding a village — not listening to a plot that only mildly interests them.
Ezio Is The Least Interesting Protagonist
Ezio Auditore da Firenze is largely considered one of the best characters and most powerful assassins in the Assassin's Creed franchise. His personality, skill, and accomplishments have propelled him into the hearts of fans. But not every fan loves the character.
As Reddit Juliiouse puts it, "Ezio is an overrated protagonist with none of the faults, tunnel vision or proxy motives that give other protagonists more depth." For a character known through three games, and one that fans have seen grow from birth to death, it's hard not to adore Ezio. Still, it is hard to deny that Ezio's motives were somewhat flatter than the other protagonists, and his temper could rub some fans the wrong way.
More Focus on the Villains
While many players flock to the games out of love for the protagonists, others look for more. "Villains are just as important as the heroes, and we haven't really had a great villain since [Assassin's Creed III]," says best villains in Assassin's Creed, few characters from the modern game are really mentioned.
Characters like Deimos pale in comparison with legendary villains like Haytham, Borgia, and Warren Vidic. Without a strong antagonist, the plot often suffers as well, leaving players to put off the main plotline to engage in often more interesting side quests. For a game with so many interesting characters, it's disappointing that those characters don't often include the villains.
Open Worlds Were A Bad Idea
Recent games like Odyssey, Origins, and Valhalla introduce fresh settings that revitalized the franchise. With huge areas to traverse and an open world that allows players to pick and choose which quests they engage with, Assassin's Creed has drawn a whole host of new fans. However, some fans aren't exactly pleased with these more open areas.
"I took one look at the map of Assassin's Creed Syndicate and I felt a sense of dread," says Reddit some1stoleit. "Every zone felt like a burden, and by the time I liberated 1 and a half zones I had enough." It's an understandable point. With gigantic maps and countless side-quests, contracts, and mercenaries, trying to tackle it all can be stressful at times. At least, when players aren't chasing down wild wolves.
Bring Back Multiplayer Mode
Something that many newer fans may not know about the Assassin's Creed games is that the series used to have a strong multiplayer component. In one mode, players could hunt each other across the map and prove their worth as the greatest assassins.
Social_sin argues "I've found no other multiplayer game that emulates hide and stab as well as [Assassin's Creed] did, and even after some bad PVP matches, the PVE Wolf Pack mode was a great way to let loose some steam." Though many fans come to the series for the storyline or the chance to explore varied historical locations, there is a lot of fun to be had in multiplayer that Ubisoft would prefer not to deliver.
Feudal Japan Is A Bad Setting For The Series
There is a large and vocal community of fans that believe that setting a game in Japan would be a huge boon to the franchise. Players of the game argue it would be a natural fit, and the setting is distinct enough to really seem unique. The chance to fight as a samurai assassin does seem like it could be a lot of fun. However, others disagree.
"At that time Japan was isolated from Europe and other parts of the world and I just do not see how could the creed already have its influence in that particular area," Reddit CustosMorum says. For fans with an interest in the story of the games, it doesn't make all that much sense that the Brotherhood could have spread and been adopted by a largely isolationist culture. While it could be fun, it would be hard to make it work.