Over the years, Ubisoft has carved out a niche that many players have relied on for their open world fix, andAssassin’s Creedhas been the chosen franchise for many to enjoy what the developer does so well. The company has a vast array of titles spanning a number of genres, but as the PS3/Xbox 360 generation came to a close and the PS4/Xbox One consoles became widely popular, it was clear thatUbisoft’s open-world formulais the one that it began to consistently lean on for success.
Since 2017, theAssassin’s Creedfranchise has switched to a more open-ended, RPG-centric format, which has resulted in a handful of great games, but has also alienated existing fans. From the sun-soaked Egypt presented inAssassin’s Creed Originsto the dark ages England ofAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, the games now prioritize exploration and world building over storytelling. This wasn’t always the case, and it’s clear that the series' beginnings were inspired by another Ubisoft property, one that it promises to return some time in the near future.Prince of Persiais a largely forgotten IP in 2022, but with a remake of its best offering on the way, it could provide the developer with a perfect opportunity to putAssassin’s Creedto one side.
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Assassin’s Creed in an Ever-Changing Market
When comparing 2007’sAssassin’s Creedwith the newest game, it becomes apparent the franchise has evolved greatly, but not necessarily in the direction that many expected.Assassin’s Creedhas always been an open-world affair, but the early games wielded a smaller space that felt far more deliberate in their design. The areas were carefully crafted, and the space was non-linear because it allowed some freedom of movement while never straying too far from the story. Up to Origins,Assassin’s Creedput the history-inspired narrative first, but as the industry has shifted and the AAA space has only got more ambitious, the franchise had to expand with it.
This expansion was divisive, with many believing the change to wipe away the identity thatAssassin’s Creedhad developed for all those years. Progression is now level-focused, and centers around acquiring new weapons and looting enemies for money to spend in one of the games' many marketplaces. It’s a huge deviation from what came before, and whileAssassin’s Creedmultiplayer was ditched entirely, it wasn’t the most significant change that the series has gone through. Players are split with their opinions of where the franchise is now. There can’t be much more thatAssassin’s Creedcan give, and Ubisoft might do well to shelve it, preventing the need to stretch the franchise to become something unrecognizable from the first game.
Prince of Persia’s Renewed Potential
Though there was concerning news in May thatthePrince of Persia: Sands of Timeremake switched developers, anticipation is high for what could potentially be a renewed investment in the veteran Apple 2-originated franchise.Prince of Persiahit its stride with a fantastic trilogy on the PS2, and sinceThe Forgotten Sandswent largely unnoticed in 2010, fans have been itching for something new ever since. It’s clear that the IP has more to give, and recent news indicates that Ubisoft is finally willing to take advantage of it.
Prince of Persiaworks best when it’s focusing on the strength of its characters, as theheart ofSands of Timeis in the relationship between the Prince and his love interest, Farah. The dialogue between them is charming and has effortlessly stood the test of time all these years later.Prince of Persiadoes everything that long timeAssassin’s Creedfans love, and with the latter becoming something far more inspired by titles likeThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntandHorizon Zero Dawn,a new adventure with the Prince could get back to basics, filling the niche that Ezio and Altair have long since abandoned.
Assassin’s Creedis obviously a spiritual successor toPrince of Persia, as the parkour-esque gameplay, historical setting, and dedication to storytelling are each essential pillars of both franchises.Assassin’s Creedhas no clear direction in 2022, and many fans don’t know what to expect with the follow-up toValhalla.Prince of Persiais on the brink of a revivalthat could spark something different from the usual Ubisoft expectations, and seamlessly swapping one for the other could do well to giveAssassin’s Creedthe quiet break it most likely needs.
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