With rumors making the rounds regarding the next Assassin’s Creed’s setting, one can’t help but wonder what the next step is for the series. Rome seems to be the likely answer if the leaks are to be believed, but this raises a whole new batch of questions, like what exactly would a return to Rome look like?
Fans Could Experience A Very Different Italy
Across all the sprawling landscapes and increasingly detailed worlds Assassin’s Creed has taken players to, Rome still remains near and dear to the hearts of diehard fans. Whether it be the Renaissance’s naturally jovial spirit or the cast of colorful characters, Rome is remembered fondly by gamers to this day. That being said, Ubisoft is sure to pack the world full of vibrant NPC’s both friend and foe. A world that feels alive, inhabited, and interesting would undoubtedly be at the forefront of the next title.
Fans are likely to have such experiences and interactions in a much older version of Rome if Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is any indicator. The Renaissance featured the height of the Assassin Order, yet the two most recent entries explored the origins of early assassins rather than the heroic lineage that was formed generations later. The rumors suggest the next title will take place around 180 CE during the reign of Commodus. This is supported by the alleged title of the rumored game, Assassin’s Creed Legion. The Roman legion was a massive military might present well before the Renaissance, lending to the notion that the next entry will take place in the age of emperors.
Ancient Rome was also notable for its political strife, as emperors were assassinated and replaced as often as they changed their tunics. This would most likely be the centerpiece to the story of the next Assassin’s Creed, as Ubisoft has been known to cram historical figures and events into the games in the franchise. Whether the protagonist uncovers secrets about relations between the Templars and various emperors or is attempting to solve some greater mystery, there will surely be hours of political intrigue and deception ahead.
An open world is all but guaranteed as well when considering the previous entries in the latest trilogy of games. Both Origins and Odyssey switched up the typical Assassin’s Creed formula by featuring vast open worlds and RPG mechanics. Odyssey also refined the large scale and naval combat systems, both of which would surely come into play thanks to their prevalence in ancient Rome. Most fans seemed charmed with the variations between past iterations of the long-running series, and many will be pleased when these features almost certainly carry over to the next game.