Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is one of my favorite games in the franchise. I'm definitely not alone in this thought, either. Like many other fans, I miss the older days of the franchise. I've enjoyed the big open-world RPG era, for the most part, but Black Flag and the original trilogy still remain my ideal version of the Assassin's Creed name. As such, the remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag has been one of the most anticipated remakes of the past few years, and new signs keep popping up and pointing at the game soon becoming reality.
Black Flag's remake is expected to be titled Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, and I'm definitely looking forward to playing as Edward Kenway with new and improved visuals. As exciting as the promise of getting to see Black Flag in a new light is, expectations for the rest of the upcoming Assassin's Creed games need to be kept in check. Even if Black Flag proves to be one of the greatest remakes of the decade, the future of the series will still be a huge question mark looming overhead. In short, Black Flag Resynced remains a vision of the past, not the future, and whether its future plans carry the same weight of anticipation and excitement as the remake remains to be seen. Ubisoft has a lot of big plans in store for the Assassin's Creed franchise, and only time will tell if they pay off.
Ubisoft is Planning to Release A Lot of Assassin's Creed Games Before the Decade is Over
A few years ago, it was reported that Ubisoft was aiming to release 10 Assassin's Creed games/project before 2029. AC Shadows and Black Flag Resynced are part of that list. Beyond that, all that is concretely known regarding these reports are most likely working titles that are subject to change by the time Ubisoft officially announces them. Early leaked details about these in-development projects are fascinating, but it also shows that Ubisoft could be trying to turn Assassin's Creed into a series that appeals to every type of gamer. This could work, but it also means that the Assassin's Creed franchise could be at risk of losing its identity.
What Assassin's Creed Projects Are Reportedly Known to Be in the Works?
- Assassin's Creed Jade
- Assassin's Creed Hexe
- Assassin's Creed Invictus
- Assassin's Creed Nebula
- Assassin's Creed Echoes
- Assassin's Creed Raid
- Untitled Netflix series
These are the projects that currently have the most information available, but there's still very little. Beyond the above list, it's unclear what else Ubisoft has up its sleeve. Netflix's Assassin's Creed series was announced back in 2020, but last year seemed to finally move things in motion more for the project, as Westworld's Roberto Patino and Fear the Walking Dead's David Wiener were officially brought on board as producers. Live-action adaptations of video games have been a mixed bag, but the Assassin's Creed series could hold promise if handled properly. The expected slate of games are the most interesting projects in the works, though.
The Next Assassin's Creed Games Will Keep Fans On Their Toes, for Better or Worse
Of course, a lot of this is based on rumor and speculation, so everything about Assassin's Creed's future should be taken with a grain of salt. However, Ubisoft's reported plan is hinting at a multi-year roadmap that makes sure to cover as many genres and story lengths as possible.
Assassin's Creed Jade
This game is set to be a mobile RPG set in China. The setting is really compelling, but it will be interesting to see how the franchise's mechanics translate to mobile gaming. Mobile devices can run AAA games, like the Resident Evil 4 remake, but AC Jade raises plenty of questions about whether longtime fans will be willing to play an Assassin's Creed game on their phones or not. Mobile gaming is massive in China, though, and with AC Jade's setting, it could potentially be a much bigger hit in that market than North America or Europe.
Assassin's Creed Hexe
If there's any in-development game that's going to attract the attention of classic Assassin's Creed fans, it will more than likely be AC Hexe. Each game Ubisoft is working on is planned to vary in scale, and AC Hexe is expected to be the next mainline chapter. AC Hexe is reportedly pivoting away from the past few years of open-world RPGs and is coming back to a more linear narrative. There's also a touch of horror expected, since the game is set during the Holy Roman Empire's 16th-century witch trials. Shape-shifting and other magical powers could add to the horror elements, which might prove to be a breath of fresh air if the tone is nailed.
Assassin's Creed Invictus, Echoes, and Raid
These are three multiplayer projects that Ubisoft has in the works, as of course, Assassin's Creed is no stranger to multiplayer modes. Even the original Black Flag had a multiplayer option. However, full-blown multiplayer games could be tricky to pull off without feeling gimmicky. AC Invictus is expected to be similar to Fall Guys with its round-based gameplay, while AC Echoe s and AC Raid are a much larger mystery at the moment. There is practically nothing known about AC Echoes, but AC Raid is suspected to be a four-player PvE game.
Assassin's Creed Nebula
Ubisoft has yet to reveal any concrete information about most of these games, but that makes them even more intriguing. AC Nebula's story is rumored to take place in three settings: the Mediterranean, India, and the Aztec Empire. Only time will tell what AC Nebula has in store, but hopping between three different locations is a bold idea that just might work.
What Does Ubisoft's Plans Mean for Assassin's Creed's Future?
There's no way to know how each game will fare until they launch, but the lineup makes one thing clear. Ubisoft is betting big on Assassin's Creed. New Assassin's Creed games are exciting to think about, but it's also important to remember that Ubisoft has had a rocky few years. The success of AC Shadows was promising, and Black Flag Resynced could help put things back on track. Even then, it's worth remembering its emblematic of an older era and not the new one. Ultimately, there's no way to know for sure if the future will be as exciting as the present. I want Assassin's Creed to thrive as much as possible. However, Ubisoft trying to corner so many different markets may be setting the franchise up for an oversaturation problem that could prove too hard to bounce back from.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- October 29, 2013
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
