Is Assassin’s Creed Rogue Set After Black Flag? Unraveling the Kenway Saga Timeline
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Rogue is set chronologically after the events of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, but also concurrently with Assassin’s Creed Unity and before most of Assassin’s Creed III. Released after Black Flag, Rogue bridges the narrative gap between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III, while also serving as a prologue to Unity. While Black Flag revolves around the Golden Age of Piracy and Edward Kenway’s transformation, Rogue shifts the perspective to Shay Cormac, an Assassin who becomes a Templar during the Seven Years’ War (1752-1760). It enriches the overall Kenway family saga by highlighting characters from the other games.
Diving Deeper into the Assassin’s Creed Timeline
Understanding where Rogue fits into the overall Assassin’s Creed timeline is crucial to appreciating its narrative impact. While Black Flag sets the stage with Edward Kenway’s pirate adventures and his eventual involvement with the Assassin-Templar conflict, Rogue showcases the fallout of those events and explores the ideological differences that can lead an Assassin to abandon the Brotherhood.
Rogue’s narrative is compelling due to its unique perspective. You play as Shay Cormac, initially an Assassin, who experiences a devastating event that causes him to question the Brotherhood’s methods. This disillusionment leads him to defect and join the Templar Order, offering a rare glimpse into their motivations and goals. The Templars are not simply villains, but rather hold their own beliefs about order and control.
The connections to Black Flag are apparent through appearances of characters like Adewale, Edward Kenway’s first mate. Adewale is now an older, seasoned Assassin, offering a point of continuity and illustrating the consequences of decisions made in Black Flag. Achilles Davenport from Assassin’s Creed III also appears, but as a younger and more idealistic mentor figure. His character arc is significantly impacted by the events of Rogue, adding depth to his portrayal in Assassin’s Creed III.
Furthermore, Rogue acts as a direct lead-in to Assassin’s Creed Unity. The ending of Rogue directly sets up the events that kickstart Unity’s story. This interweaving of storylines enhances the interconnectedness of the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Chronological vs. Release Order
It’s important to distinguish between the chronological order of events within the game’s universe and the release order of the games themselves. While Rogue’s story happens after Black Flag, it was released later. For the best narrative experience, playing Black Flag before Rogue is generally recommended. This allows players to fully understand the backstory and relationships that shape Rogue’s plot. However, playing in chronological order works as well if you are more interested in seeing the timeline unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Assassin’s Creed Rogue
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify Rogue’s place within the Assassin’s Creed universe:
1. Is Rogue part of the Kenway saga?
Yes, Rogue is considered the closing chapter of the Kenway family saga, expanding on themes and characters introduced in Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III. The consequences of the Kenway family’s involvement in the Assassin-Templar conflict ripple through Rogue’s narrative.
2. Does Rogue take place after AC4 (Black Flag)?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Rogue is set after the events of Black Flag and before most of Assassin’s Creed III.
3. Should I play Rogue before or after Black Flag?
It is strongly recommended to play Black Flag before Rogue. Understanding the context and characters from Black Flag enhances the Rogue experience and provides more emotional weight to the story.
4. Does it matter if I play Assassin’s Creed games in order?
While not strictly necessary, playing the games in either release or chronological order can improve the overall narrative experience and understanding of recurring themes and characters.
5. Is Connor from Assassin’s Creed III in Rogue?
While Connor does not physically appear in Rogue, his actions and the legacy of the American Revolution are referenced. The world is shaped by the events of Assassin’s Creed III.
6. Does Rogue continue the present-day story?
Yes, Rogue includes a present-day storyline that connects to the overarching Assassin’s Creed narrative. While not as prominent as in some other games, it offers additional context to the ongoing conflict.
7. Do you play as a Templar in Assassin’s Creed Rogue?
Yes, you primarily play as Shay Cormac, a former Assassin who becomes a Templar. This unique perspective allows players to experience the Assassin-Templar conflict from the “other side.”
8. How long is the Rogue campaign?
The main story of Assassin’s Creed Rogue typically takes around 10-12 hours to complete. Completionists can expect to spend around 40 hours exploring the world and completing all side content.
9. Why does Black Flag sometimes look better than Rogue?
While Rogue was built on the same engine as Black Flag, the game’s design prioritizes smooth performance. Black Flag has a much bigger map which is always loaded at the same time. This allows for greater environmental detail in some areas.
10. Is Haytham Kenway in AC Rogue?
Yes, Haytham Kenway plays a significant supporting role in Assassin’s Creed Rogue. The game explores his motivations and develops his character further, bridging his appearances in Assassin’s Creed III and the novel Assassin’s Creed: Forsaken.
11. What timeline is AC Rogue set in?
AC Rogue takes place during the Seven Years’ War (1752–1760).
12. Does Assassins Creed Black Flag continue the story?
Yes, Black Flag continues the present day story. While it features a new modern day protagonist, and a new protagonist in the past, the game adds closure to the Desmond arc.
13. Is there a sequel to Assassins Creed Black Flag?
Assassin’s Creed: Forgotten Temple, is a sequel to Black Flag and it will be absolutely massive, consisting of 150 chapters over three seasons. This is not a video game, but a story set in the Assassin Creed Universe.
14. Is the open world similar in Black Flag and Rogue?
Yes, but AC Rogue’s map is divided into sections which makes it smoother game. The game has multiple biomes like the North Atlantic.
15. Who is the girl in AC Rogue?
Hope Jensen is a major antagonist in Assassin’s Creed: Rogue. She is a major leader in the Assassin Order.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed Rogue is a pivotal entry in the series, not only for its unique Templar perspective but also for its role in bridging the narratives of Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed III, and Unity. Understanding its chronological placement is key to appreciating the interconnectedness of the Assassin’s Creed universe. Games like these show how learning and understanding different perspectives can lead to a better knowledge of the world, this is a concept explored by the Games Learning Society through their research. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more. By playing the games in either release or chronological order, players can fully immerse themselves in the rich history and lore of the Assassin-Templar conflict.