Now that news has thoroughly spread about the likely release of another Assassin’s Creed game within the next year, let’s take a look at viable playgrounds for the next member of the creed.
Ancient Egypt
I’ve seen this cropping up in a lot of forums, and frankly I feel it doesn’t have much more to offer but is still possible. The whole sandy colored city with tall stone buildings and exotic characters was achieved in Revelations, and I can’t see why they would rehash it. Add a few pyramids to the mix and make Assassin’s creed 4? Seems too easy. I can, however, see huge potential in Egyptian lore coinciding with Assassin’s just like they did with Da Vinci and again with the Greek gods. I can also imagine that free running within a pyramids catacomb would be pretty cool. I digress, Egypt has potential but not the wow factor everyone is longing for after the AC3 anti-climax.
Victorian London
I thoroughly enjoyed my very brief shenanigans in Covent Garden and that got me thinking, why haven’t we got a British Assassin yet? The Victorian era was home to some of societies most notorious names such as Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper — a perfect setting for Assassin’s Creed 4. Detective work (catch the Ripper?), prevalent whoring (like AC2), and the costume designs could be great! Cramped living environments with terraced houses and lots of construction offer a perfect playground for a free running Brit. Secret discoveries are abound like St Paul’s Cathedral. Plus a possible boss battle with Dr Jekyll/Mr. Hyde is something I’d really love to see.
Revolution era France
Arguably we’ve already visited and put to bed a revolution-torn country, but France could offer something Boston couldn’t. A tough time for many people, what with all the public executions, food shortages and the corrupt government. This era was literally made for an AC game; we’re always protecting the innocent from the rule of the corrupt Templars; who’s to say that many of the Bourgeoisie were not Templars? I can totally see missions to save the innocent from wrongful death, running across some stunning architecture, swooping in and destroying the guillotine. The era has a lot of opportunities to develop the AC lore and to further the tyranny of the Templars in a believable way.
Modern Day
Most people say they enjoy the Desmond sections of the game, which begs the question, why can’t Assassin’s Creed 4 be a whole game as him? It would be an opportunity to both propel the story and really play about the modern technology. I’m thinking light saber hidden blades, cloaking capabilities, and a motorcycle. Guns should only make an appearance in the form of single fire silenced firearms to avoid deviation from the genre, but apart from that, the modern day era is well suited to a stealth game. Just look at earlier Splinter Cell games. The marriage of tech and assassinations works too well and could do wonders for the AC series, making the next installment the game everyone was hoping AC3 to be.
Dynasty era Japan
A step back from the use of firearms and a step forward in true assassination skills — I’m talking feudal Japan-style Assassin. Sure there are a few games already out that look at this era, but none of them actually focus on historically or factually correct details. Instead they opt for incorrect, overly sensational imagery of ninjas and samurais. This is where Assassin’s Creed 4 could make a step up and develop a truly inspiring reboot character in a largely untouched era in terms of games.
Just like AC2 focused on toppling the ruling powers in Italy, Assassin’s Creed 4 could look at a rouge samurai rebelling and toppling a corrupt Shogun in feudal Japan. The architecture for the time period is stunning which would make for excellent visuals. The attire is flamboyant and unique which would translate well into character costumes. Maybe this possibility has missed its chance, what with the progression into fire arm mechanics in the last few AC games, but maybe it could counteract it with superior sword combat? This setting is quite possibly my favorite for the next AC game, beautiful environments and a rich history, perfect. Here are some images that fans have created. They really capture the potential this era has.
Have you got any locations you’d like to see an assassin running about? Share it with us in the comment section below.
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