Website: www.assassinscreed.com
Assassin's Creed (AC) is a globally renowned action-adventure game series, primarily developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published worldwide by Ubisoft Software. Since the release of its first installment in 2007, the Assassin's Creed series has won the hearts of players worldwide with its unique historical background, captivating storyline, and innovative gameplay mechanics. As of March 2013, the series had sold 73 million copies, becoming one of Ubisoft's best-selling games. This article will delve into the history, gameplay mechanics, main characters, world-building, and impact of the Assassin's Creed series on the gaming industry.
I. The History of the Assassin's Creed Series
The first installment in the Assassin's Creed series was released on November 13, 2007, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Set against the backdrop of the 12th-century Crusades, the game tells the story of the assassin Altair Ibn-La'Ahad. Players experience Altaïr's adventures through the genetic memories of the modern-day protagonist, Desmond Miles. Upon release, the game was highly praised for its unique blend of historical and science fiction narrative, open-world design, and gameplay combining stealth and combat.
Subsequently, Ubisoft released multiple sequels at a rate of one per year, each set in a different historical period and location, showcasing the millennia-long rivalry between Assassins and Templars. For example, Assassin's Creed II (2009) was set in Renaissance Italy, and its protagonist, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, became one of the series' most popular characters. Assassin's Creed III (2012) moved the setting to the American Revolutionary War, with protagonist Connor participating in this historical upheaval as a Native American.
In recent years, the Assassin's Creed series has continued to expand its world view, releasing titles such as Assassin's Creed Origins (2017), Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018), and Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020), which are set in ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Viking Age, respectively, further enriching the series' historical depth and gameplay experience.
II. Game Mechanics of Assassin's Creed
The Assassin's Creed series is known for its unique game mechanics, which mainly include the following aspects:
1. Open World Design
The Assassin's Creed series is renowned for its vast open world. Players can freely explore historically accurate cities, such as Renaissance Florence and Venice, as well as Alexandria in ancient Egypt. The open world not only provides players with abundant exploration content but also enhances the game's replayability through side quests, collectibles, and hidden elements.
2. Stealth and Combat System
Stealth is one of the core gameplay elements of the Assassin's Creed series. Players can approach targets through climbing, hiding, and disguise, and then use the hidden blade for silent assassinations. At the same time, the game offers a rich combat system, allowing players to engage enemies head-on with various weapons such as swords, axes, and bows. As the series has evolved, the combat system has become increasingly complex and realistic; for example, Assassin's Creed Origins introduced RPG elements, allowing players to enhance their combat abilities by upgrading equipment and skills.
3. The combination of history and science fiction
One of the most distinctive features of the Assassin's Creed series is its unique narrative style that blends history and science fiction. Players experience assassin adventures across different historical periods through the genetic memories of a modern protagonist. This setting not only adds an air of mystery to the game but also showcases the millennia-long conflict between Assassins and Templars through alternating narratives between the modern and ancient eras.
4. Social and multiplayer modes
In some installments, Assassin's Creed games also introduced multiplayer modes, such as the competitive multiplayer mode in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010). Players could take on the role of assassins or Templars, completing objectives through stealth and assassination. This mode was well-received by players for its unique gameplay and strategic elements.
III. Main Characters of Assassin's Creed
The Assassin's Creed series has created many unforgettable characters; here are some of the most iconic protagonists:
1. Altair Ibn-La'Ahad
Altaïr is the first protagonist in the Assassin's Creed series, appearing in the original game. He is a highly skilled assassin who is demoted for violating the Assassin's Creed, but subsequently regains trust by completing missions. Altaïr's story showcases the internal rules and beliefs of the Assassin Order, setting the tone for the series.
2. Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Ezio is the protagonist of Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed: Revelations, and is one of the most popular characters in the series. He rises from a young nobleman to a master assassin, undergoing trials of revenge, love, and faith. Ezio's story spans Renaissance Italy, showcasing the grandeur of history.
3. Connor
Connor, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed III, whose real name is Ratohnhaké:ton, is a Mohawk Indian. He witnessed the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War and played a significant role in the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. Connor's story explores themes of freedom and justice, showcasing the multifaceted nature of history.
4. Bayek
Bayek, the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Origins, is a guardian of ancient Egypt. His story tells of the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and his battles for revenge and justice with his wife, Aya. Bayek's character, with his resilience and deep emotions, has resonated with players, injecting new vitality into the series.
IV. The Worldview of Assassin's Creed
The Assassin's Creed series boasts an extremely vast universe, encompassing multiple dimensions including history, science fiction, philosophy, and religion. The following are its main components:
1. The clash between Assassins and Templars
The core conflict of the Assassin's Creed series is the millennia-old rivalry between the Assassins and the Templars. The Assassins pursue free will and humanity's right to self-determination, while the Templars seek to achieve order and peace through control. This conflict runs throughout all the games in the series, serving as the main driving force of the story.
2. The Pioneers and the Pieces of Eden
The Ones Who Came Before are an ancient civilization in the Assassin's Creed series. They created humanity and left behind the Pieces of Eden. These fragments possess immense power, becoming the target of conflict between Assassins and Templars. The story of the Ones Who Came Before adds a science fiction element to the series and tightly weaves history and mythology together.
3. Reinterpretation of historical events
The Assassin's Creed series reinterprets many historical events and figures through the fictional perspectives of Assassins and Templars. For example, historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci of the Renaissance and George Washington of the American Revolutionary War play important roles in the games. This blend of history and fiction not only enhances the game's realism but also provides players with a fresh historical perspective.
V. The Impact of Assassin's Creed on the Gaming Industry
The Assassin's Creed series has not only achieved tremendous commercial success but has also had a profound impact on the gaming industry. Here are its main contributions:
1. A benchmark for open-world design
The Assassin's Creed series set a new benchmark for open-world games with its vast open world and high degree of historical accuracy. Its city design, environmental interaction, and exploration mechanics influenced many subsequent games, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Red Dead Redemption 2.
2. The combination of history and games
The Assassin's Creed series pioneered a new narrative approach by combining history with gameplay. It not only entertained players but also disseminated historical knowledge and sparked their interest in history.
3. Innovation in stealth gameplay
The stealth gameplay of the Assassin's Creed series, with its unique design and strategic elements, has influenced many subsequent stealth games. Its climbing, hiding, and assassination mechanics provide players with a diverse gaming experience.
4. Cross-media expansion
The Assassin's Creed series extends beyond games, expanding its universe through novels, comics, films, and animation. For example, the 2016 Assassin's Creed film starring Michael Fassbender further enhanced the series' popularity.
VI. The Future of Assassin's Creed
The Assassin's Creed series has evolved over the past decade, becoming a classic in the gaming world. Ubisoft plans to continue expanding the franchise, releasing more titles set in different historical periods. For example, the upcoming 2023 title, Assassin's Creed Mirage, will be set in 9th-century Baghdad, returning to the series' stealth gameplay and exploring the early history of the Assassin Brotherhood.
In addition, Ubisoft is also developing a long-service game called Assassin's Creed Infinity, which aims to provide players with a richer gaming experience through constantly updated content and cross-generational narratives.
VII. Conclusion
The Assassin's Creed series, with its unique historical background, captivating storyline, and innovative gameplay mechanics, has become a classic in the hearts of gamers worldwide. It not only set a new benchmark for the gaming industry but also provided players with a completely new form of entertainment through the fusion of history and science fiction. In the future, the Assassin's Creed series will continue to expand its universe, bringing players even more exciting adventures.
If you are interested in the Assassin's Creed series, you can visit its official website www.assassinscreed.com to learn more about the latest information and news about the game.
