Does AC Rogue Take Place After Black Flag? A Comprehensive Exploration
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The short answer is no, Assassin’s Creed Rogue does not take place entirely after Black Flag. While some events in Rogue occur after the main storyline of Black Flag, a significant portion of Rogue runs concurrently with Black Flag and acts as a prequel to Assassin’s Creed III. This intricate timeline weaving is one of the defining features of the game and crucial to understanding the larger Assassin’s Creed narrative.
Understanding the Chronological Context of Rogue
Assassin’s Creed Rogue acts as a crucial link in the Assassin’s Creed saga, bridging the narrative gap between Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed III, and even Unity. To truly grasp its placement, consider these key points:
- Concurrent Events: Rogue’s story unfolds simultaneously with parts of Black Flag, allowing for familiar faces and locations to appear in both games. You might be chasing the same ships as Edward Kenway was, or visiting ports he knew well, but from a different perspective.
- Prequel Elements: The game’s later acts directly precede the events of Assassin’s Creed III. This connection is most evident in the introduction and presence of Haytham Kenway, a pivotal character in III.
- Sequel to Adewale’s Story: While Rogue isn’t a direct sequel to Black Flag in terms of Edward Kenway’s storyline, it does continue the story of Adewale, Edward’s former quartermaster. Players see an older Adewale, further demonstrating the game’s temporal connections.
In essence, Rogue is a carefully constructed narrative puzzle piece that fills in the gaps and provides context to the wider Kenway saga and the North American Assassin-Templar conflict. Its main protagonist, Shay Patrick Cormac, takes players on a journey from Assassin to Templar, providing a unique perspective on the centuries-old war and the motives of both factions.
Story and Timeline Details
The game’s story takes place around the 1750’s and 1760’s.
Shay Cormac starts out as an Assassin. After a mission goes wrong in Lisbon, Shay becomes disillusioned with the Brotherhood. Distraught by the consequences of a mission he undertook for the Assassins, Shay betrays the Brotherhood and joins the Templar Order. He hunts down his former comrades, including Adewale. His disillusionment stems from his belief that the Assassins’ reckless pursuit of Pieces of Eden is causing catastrophic events. His journey as a Templar shapes the events leading up to Assassin’s Creed III, laying the groundwork for the conflict between the Colonial Assassins and the Templars led by Haytham Kenway.
Why is Rogue Important?
- Templar Perspective: Rogue offers a rare glimpse into the Templar Order’s motivations and methods, challenging the traditional Assassin-centric view of the franchise.
- Connecting the Dots: It ties up loose ends and explains certain plot elements from both Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III, making the overall narrative more cohesive.
- Expanding the Lore: The game introduces new characters, locations, and artifacts that enrich the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Assassin’s Creed Rogue a direct sequel to Black Flag?
No, it isn’t a direct sequel in the traditional sense. While it shares gameplay mechanics and features characters from Black Flag, its story is largely independent and overlaps chronologically.
2. Is Edward Kenway alive in Rogue?
No, Edward Kenway is not alive during the main events of Rogue. He was murdered years prior in London. His legacy, however, casts a long shadow.
3. Does Rogue explain what happened to the Jackdaw?
Rogue provides a subtle hint regarding the Jackdaw. Adewale mentions hearing it sank off the coast of Hispaniola, but this is only a brief remark, not a central plot point. The Games Learning Society may find interesting connections between the Jackdaw and real-world naval history. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
4. Does Haytham Kenway appear in Rogue?
Yes, Haytham Kenway plays a significant role in Assassin’s Creed Rogue. He acts as Shay’s mentor and ally within the Templar Order. He helps Cormac find his way with his new life with the Templars.
5. Is the naval combat in Rogue similar to Black Flag?
Yes, the naval combat is very similar. Rogue uses an upgraded version of the naval system from Black Flag, with some new features like icebergs and oil slicks.
6. Can you explore the Caribbean in Rogue?
No, the map in Rogue is primarily focused on the North Atlantic, the River Valley, and New York City. The Caribbean is not explorable.
7. Is Rogue shorter than Black Flag?
Yes, Rogue is generally shorter than Black Flag in terms of main story length and overall completion time.
8. Who is the main antagonist in Rogue?
While the Assassins can be considered antagonists from Shay’s perspective, there isn’t a single, overarching villain. The conflict is more nuanced, exploring the gray areas of both the Assassin and Templar ideologies.
9. Why did Shay Cormac become a Templar?
Shay becomes disillusioned with the Assassins after a mission in Lisbon leads to a devastating earthquake. He believes their pursuit of Pieces of Eden is reckless and dangerous.
10. Is Rogue necessary to understand the overall Assassin’s Creed story?
While not strictly necessary, Rogue enriches the Assassin’s Creed narrative and provides valuable context for Assassin’s Creed III and Unity.
11. Is Rogue considered a main entry in the Assassin’s Creed series?
Rogue is generally considered a main entry, although it was initially released as a side game alongside Unity for older consoles. It holds significant plot connections.
12. Does Rogue feature any modern-day segments?
Yes, Rogue includes modern-day segments similar to other Assassin’s Creed games, where you play as an employee of Abstergo Entertainment.
13. Is Assassin’s Creed Rogue a good game?
Assassin’s Creed Rogue is a divisive game. It does well at its unique setting and offers a refreshing perspective on the Assassin-Templar conflict, but some may find it derivative of Black Flag and shorter in scope.
14. Does Assassin’s Creed Rogue have any DLC?
No, Assassin’s Creed Rogue does not have any story DLC expansions.
15. How does Rogue tie into Assassin’s Creed Unity?
Rogue’s ending directly sets up the events of Assassin’s Creed Unity, providing context for the Templar activities in France during the French Revolution. It is essentially the catalyst.