Can You Play as a Female in Assassin’s Creed?
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Yes, absolutely! While the Assassin’s Creed franchise has traditionally focused on male protagonists, there are several opportunities to play as a female assassin, some more prominent than others. The series has increasingly embraced female protagonists, marking a welcome shift in representation. The options range from standalone female leads in specific titles to choices between male and female characters in more recent games. The degree of control over the character’s gender, however, varies from game to game, adding an interesting dynamic to the series.
Female Protagonists in the Assassin’s Creed Series
The introduction of playable female characters has been a gradual yet significant evolution for the franchise. It started with smaller roles and spin-offs, gradually leading to fully realized female leads on par with their male counterparts.
Aveline de Grandpré: Breaking Ground
The first fully playable female protagonist in the series was Aveline de Grandpré in Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation. Originally released for the PlayStation Vita, this game allowed players to step into Aveline’s shoes as she fought for freedom in 18th-century New Orleans. Her character was a major step forward for the series, demonstrating that a female protagonist could carry an Assassin’s Creed game.
The Dual Protagonist Approach: Syndicate, Odyssey, and Valhalla
The franchise took a notable turn by offering players a choice between male and female protagonists in a few key mainline titles.
- Assassin’s Creed Syndicate allows players to switch between twins, Jacob and Evie Frye. While the story dictates which twin is used in specific story missions, players could freely explore and engage in side activities as either character.
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey fully empowers players with a choice from the beginning: Alexios or Kassandra. Both are siblings with identical abilities, but their stories diverge depending on which character is chosen. Kassandra has increasingly been considered the canonical protagonist of Odyssey by many in the community and by Ubisoft.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla follows suit, giving players the option to play as either a male or female Eivor. The game also introduces an “Animus decides” option, which primarily defaults to playing as female Eivor but switches to male Eivor during specific sections of the story involving mythical realms.
Other Notable Female Characters
Beyond these prominent playable roles, many other female characters have made their mark in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. While not playable throughout their games, they have played significant roles in the overall lore and are loved by fans:
- Mary Read, a pivotal figure in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, was a fierce pirate alongside Edward Kenway.
- Rebecca Crane and Lucy Stillman, members of the modern-day Assassin team, appeared in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and earlier titles, showcasing the strong female presences that work beyond the Animus.
The Future of Female Representation
The trend towards inclusive character options seems to be continuing in the series. While Assassin’s Creed Mirage features a male protagonist (Basim), the success of having playable females in Odyssey and Valhalla suggests this is a trend with increasing popularity in the player base. It is highly likely that future installments will offer similar choices or will perhaps move towards consistently including female main characters as a regular staple. The reception of characters such as Aveline and Kassandra has been a big incentive for future representation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Assassin’s Creed games let you play as a female protagonist?
There are six Assassin’s Creed games where you have the option to play as a female protagonist. However, only four of these titles offer the choice for the entirety of the game. These four games are Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In other titles, like Assassin’s Creed Origins, there are segments where you play as a female character but do not have a character selection.
2. Which Assassin’s Creed games offer gender choice?
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla allow players to choose their protagonist’s gender.
3. Can you change the gender of your character in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Yes, you can change Eivor’s gender in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by accessing the Animus menu and selecting “Change Eivor’s Appearance”. You can choose between a male and female Eivor, or allow the Animus to decide, which will default to female Eivor for most of the game.
4. What happens if you let the animus decide in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
If you choose “Let the Animus decide,” you’ll primarily play as female Eivor, switching to male Eivor during specific narrative sections, particularly those set in the mythical realms of Asgard and Jotunheim.
5. Can you play as a female in Assassin’s Creed Mirage?
No, Assassin’s Creed Mirage features only a male protagonist named Basim. There is no option to play as a female character.
6. Is Kassandra the canon protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
While the game allows you to play as either Alexios or Kassandra, Kassandra is widely considered the canon protagonist by both Ubisoft and many in the player community.
7. Is either Eivor gender canon in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Ubisoft has indicated that female Eivor is the canon choice for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, although both genders can be experienced through gameplay.
8. Who is the first playable female assassin in Assassin’s Creed?
Aveline de Grandpré from Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation holds the title of the first playable female assassin in the series.
9. Can you play as Evie Frye for all of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate?
While you can play as Evie for most of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, specific story missions force you to play as Jacob. However, most of the open-world gameplay is flexible, allowing you to switch between characters.
10. What are some iconic female characters in the Assassin’s Creed series?
Some notable female characters include:
- Aveline de Grandpré (Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation)
- Kassandra (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey)
- Mary Read (Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag)
- Rebecca Crane (Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood)
- Lucy Stillman (Assassin’s Creed 1 & 2)
11. Does Assassin’s Creed support LGBTQ+ relationships?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey introduced the option for same-sex relationships, adding a new layer of character interaction. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla continues to include diverse romantic encounters, including both male and female partners for Eivor.
12. Can you romance characters in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Yes, there are numerous romantic opportunities with both male and female characters in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Examples include Bil, Petra, and Broder, each requiring certain conditions to be met before a romantic relationship can begin.
13. Can you have children in Assassin’s Creed?
While characters can marry in Assassin’s Creed, the games don’t focus heavily on the family aspect of the main characters. There is no mechanic that allows you to raise children.
14. Why is Eivor called “Wolf-Kissed”?
Eivor’s “Wolf-Kissed” title is a reference to the scar she received on her face as a child after being attacked by a wolf following the deaths of her parents.
15. Is it better to play as Kassandra or Alexios in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?
This depends on personal preference. While both characters have the same skills, the canon of the story indicates that Kassandra is the intended main character. If the canonical story matters to you, choose Kassandra.
The Assassin’s Creed series has made significant strides in including diverse characters. The ability to choose to play as a female protagonist is not only an increase in representation but adds depth and choice for its fans. From the trailblazing Aveline to the beloved Kassandra and Eivor, women in the franchise are becoming a more prominent part of the saga. With the positive reception of these additions, the future of female characters in Assassin’s Creed looks promising.