Summary
Assassin’s Creed Redwill at long last take the storied franchise to an era and setting many presume is its most natural pairing, but withGhost of Tsushimahaving struck first, the team at Ubisoft will have to get creative in design to avoid being labeled a rehash. Fans ofAssassin’s Creedhave clamored for a Japanese entry since the series' inception, andAssassin’s Creed Redcould be the spark that Ubisoft needs to revitalize the franchise, but only if it can tread familiar ground with a fresh spin.
Assassin’s Creed Redwill be the next landmark title from Ubisoft Quebec, initially announced as a part of the deluge ofAssassin’s Creedtitles unveiled during the 2022 Ubisoft Forward Showcase. Currently set on the slate for some point in 2024, fans can expect a more in-depth look at the game than its 30-second reveal trailer in the coming months.
The Landscape Changes With Sucker Punch Striking First
Even those following the hype ahead ofGhost of Tsushima’s summer 2020 release were caught by surprise at its superb quality in fidelity, gameplay, and audio design. The meticulously detailed playable space, a recreation of an island in an archipelago off the southern end of Japan, was brimming with secrets to discover, endearing locals to assist, and jaw-dropping vistas. There were elements ofAssassin’s Creedfelt throughout the course of the game, but aspects ofGhost of Tsushimaalso drew inspiration from gameslikeSekiro: Shadows Die Twice,The Witcher 3,andBreath of the Wild. A studio previously known for its super-powered action adventureInfamousseries, its first foray into historical fiction surpassed almost every expectation.
Sucker Punch Has the Luxury of Time
Ghost of Tsushima 2has yet to be officially announced by Sucker Punch, but by all accounts, a follow-up is a foregone conclusion. The game’s canonical ending left the door open and the studio’s post-launch support in the multiplayer Legends mode, as well as the well-regarded Iki Island expansion pack all portend a studio shaping up its new IP for the long haul.
Assassin’s Creed Red Might Be on The Back Heel of a Trend
As is the norm in gaming, settings, concepts, and gameplay once considered novel soon become saturated. Along withAssassin’s Creed Redand the likelyGhost of Tsushima 2isRise of Ronin, another AAA open-world title set in feudal Japan, further driving home the notion that Ubisoft’s instinct to bide its time for a ninja-tingedAssassin’s Creedmay have been a mistake.
There is no rule saying that all three cannot coexist peacefully and successfully, but they will inevitably draw comparisons from one another, and those will turn to disappointment as one’s weakness is perceived as another’s strength. For Ubisoft Quebec, the task will be todistinguishAssassin’s Creed Redfrom its contemporaries, both its fellow open-world feudal Japan-set games and the previousAssassin’s Creedtitles.
This Assassin’s Creed Can’t be Phoned In
There is a lot riding onAssassin’s Creed Red’s success. If the rumors are true, the team at Ubisoft Quebec has devoted a large share of its resources to the project, diverting from other projects to the point that theImmortals Fenyx Risingsequel was scrapped to prioritize the upcoming title. The franchise itself is becoming less and less of a draw, so Ubisoft will look to getAssassin’s Creedback on track withRed.
Hypothetically, Sucker Punch could also be less than enthused by an incoming inundation of open-world games set in feudal Japanahead ofGhost of Tsushima 2, but with its established cast of characters and favorable critical reception, it will undoubtedly press on unabated and unconcerned with the notion of living in the shadow ofAssassin’s Creed, which would certainly have been the case if Ubisoft struck first on the setting. One objective certainty is that gaming fans of that period in history have plenty to look forward to.
