TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise is now firmly established as a genre-defining bastion of the gaming industry. The next addition to the expanding collection of titles that fall under this famous IP will supposedly be calledAssassin’s Creed Rift, which is strongly rumored to receive its own standalone release.
This upcoming title will reportedly be of a much smaller scale compared to the expansive mainline entries that theAssassin’s Creedfranchise has recently seen. That being said, the comparatively unique nature of this rumored title may be an extremely important breath of fresh air for the franchise, altering fan expectations and the contemporary identity of the games for the better.
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The Basics of Asssassin’s Creed Rift
Assassin’s Creed Riftis currently rumored to release sometime toward the end of 2022. The title was originally set to beDLC forAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, butRifthas proven to be so expansive that Ubisoft decided it warrants its own separate release.
It is important to note thatAssassin’s Creed Riftis currently only a working title, and like many aspects of the game, may be subject to change. However, many core elements of the title have remained consistent through different sources, such as its setting and main characters. The game is rumored to be set within the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, with other major Middle Eastern cities also being likely to make an appearance. The mainprotagonist forAssassin’s Creed Riftwill reportedly be Basim Ibn Ishaq, an important central character within the story ofAssassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Basim was born and raised in Baghdad, quickly becoming one of the most respected members of the Hidden Ones – an ancient organization that would go on to become the infamous Assassin Brotherhood. Rising to the rank of Master Assassin,players see Basim inValhallaas a widely respected and lethal operator who is wise beyond his years.
One of the most peculiar but dominant aspects of Basim’s life is that he is ahuman reincarnation of the Isu Loki, as revealed inAssassin’s Creed Valhalla. This was slowly revealed to him via staggered past memories as he aged, and will surely be a key point of Basim’s conflict and development within the story ofRift. One of the most glaring implications of this split personality is the potential effects that Loki’s manipulative nature may have upon the Hidden Ones as a whole, which has the potential to be a fascinating aspect of theRiftstory.
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The Other Upcoming Assassin’s Creed Titles
Assassin’s Creed Riftis supposedly not the only upcoming title for the franchise, with two other games competing for the focus and attention of the IP. All three of these upcoming projects are wildly different, giving further credence to how beneficialRiftcan be to the franchise comparatively.
One of these other projects isAssassin’s Creed Nexus, another game that is currently only known through leaks and rumors.Nexusis set to be a comprehensive VR title set within theAssassin’s Creeduniverse. From a first-person perspective, players will be able to embody several iconic past protagonists,such as Ezio Auditore, engaging in parkour traversal while stealthily eliminating targets.
The other project currently in development inAssassin’s Creed Infinity.Infinityis reportedly going to be a large-scale live serviceAssassin’s Creedtitle, massively changing what fans know of theAssassin’s Creedformula and life cycle. Containing a huge array of settings, it appears thatAssassin’s CreedInfinitywill have a slew of potential storylinesand expansions that can seemingly be implemented to the game indefinitely after its launch.
How Assassin’s Creed Rift Would Be the Best Next Step
Simply put,Riftwould likely be the best step forward for the franchise in that it can offer something for all fans of the games, both new and old. It is no secret thatthe identity of theAssassin’s Creedfranchisehas changed significantly with recent releases, changing from more linear and succinct plot-driven games to much more expansive RPG-like titles.
While both of these identities of course have something to offer for fans, there is an obvious division caused by clashing preferences between these old and new formulas within the fanbase. WithNexusbeing an inherently more outlandish title aiming to showcase VR gameplay, andInfinitybeing a much more open-ended title without a core identity or story,Riftsounds like the perfect middle ground that can satiate the most fans, regardless of personal preference.
As previously mentioned,Riftis set to be a much smaller-scale title in comparison to the likes ofValhallaandOrigins, in a way much closer to the older"classic"Assassin’s Creedtitles. In addition to this, it will reportedly feature a much more traditional assassin protagonist, with Basim being a respected member of what would become the Brotherhood, and adhering closely to the same traditions and tenets that fans of the older games are accustomed to.
In terms of appealing to fans of the newerAssassin’s Creedidentity,Riftis just as valuable. At its very core,Riftis set to be very closely linked withAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, the latest mainline installment of the franchise that is very much in line with the aforementioned newer identity of the IP, withRiftessentially being a prequel. More so than its competing titles,Assassin’s Creed Riftcould excite newer fans with its wider contextualization of a beloved recent title, while satisfying older fans with its return to classic story-driven gameplay on a more intimate scale.
Assassin’s Creed Riftis rumored to be in development.
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