Assassin’s Creed: Charting the Series’ RPG Evolution – When Did It All Begin?

The first Assassin’s Creed game to genuinely embrace RPG elements, moving beyond the series’ established stealth-action roots, was Assassin’s Creed Origins, released in 2017. While earlier titles flirted with certain aspects that would later become hallmarks of the RPG genre, Origins marked a clear turning point with its robust loot system, significant leveling and progression mechanics, a sprawling open world ripe for exploration, and a comprehensive skill tree that directly impacted gameplay. This pivot represented a major reinvention for the franchise, signaling a shift in design philosophy at Ubisoft.

The RPG Transformation: How Assassin’s Creed Evolved

Before Origins, the Assassin’s Creed series was primarily known for its historical settings, stealth-based gameplay, and parkour traversal. The narrative focused heavily on the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars, presented through a largely linear storyline. While character customization existed, it was largely cosmetic. Origins fundamentally altered this formula.

The game took players to Ancient Egypt, a vast and visually stunning open world that encouraged exploration. Unlike previous titles, Bayek, the protagonist, had a defined level that directly influenced his combat prowess. Weapons and armor were no longer simply unlocked; they were found, purchased, or crafted, each possessing unique stats and rarities. This encouraged players to grind for better gear and optimize their builds.

Perhaps the most significant addition was the skill tree. Players could invest points into various abilities, branching into Hunter, Warrior, or Seer specializations. This allowed for significantly different playstyles, catering to individual preferences and adding a layer of strategic depth previously absent in the series. Origins also increased the playtime substantially, offering a wealth of side quests and activities that further incentivized exploration and character progression. The impact of Origins was substantial and paved the way for subsequent titles like Odyssey and Valhalla to push the RPG elements even further. The Games Learning Society, examines how games engage players and foster learning, and the evolution of Assassin’s Creed into an RPG offers a fascinating case study.

Deep Dive into Assassin’s Creed Origins’ RPG Mechanics

The implementation of RPG mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Origins was not merely superficial; it was integrated into the core gameplay loop. Here’s a closer look:

• Loot System: Weapons and armor came in various rarities (Common, Rare, Legendary), each with different stats, perks, and visual designs. Finding better loot was a constant incentive for exploration and combat.

• Leveling System: Bayek’s level directly impacted his ability to engage in combat with higher-level enemies. Grinding and completing quests were essential for progressing and tackling challenging content.

• Skill Tree: The skill tree provided a diverse range of abilities that enhanced Bayek’s combat, stealth, and exploration capabilities. Players could customize their builds to suit their preferred playstyle.

• Open World Design: The vast and detailed world of Ancient Egypt was filled with quests, activities, and secrets to discover. Exploration was rewarded with valuable resources, new gear, and engaging storylines.

• Dialogue Choices: While not as extensive as some RPGs, Origins did introduce dialogue choices that could influence the outcome of certain quests and interactions.

FAQs: Unraveling the Assassin’s Creed RPG Saga

1. Was Assassin’s Creed Syndicate an RPG?

No, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, while having some character progression mechanics, is still primarily considered an action-adventure game with stealth elements. It lacked the core RPG features like a robust loot system and a significant skill tree that truly defined Origins.

2. What Assassin’s Creed games are considered RPGs?

The games most widely considered RPGs are: Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. These titles feature extensive RPG mechanics, including leveling systems, skill trees, loot systems, and dialogue choices. The GamesLearningSociety.org has many articles related to game mechanics.

3. Is Assassin’s Creed Mirage an RPG?

No, Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a return to the series’ roots, focusing on stealth gameplay and a more linear narrative. It forgoes the RPG elements introduced in Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

4. Why did Assassin’s Creed become an RPG?

Ubisoft decided to reinvent the Assassin’s Creed series after Syndicate. They aimed to create a more engaging and long-lasting experience by incorporating RPG elements, hoping to attract a wider audience and revitalize the franchise.

5. Will future Assassin’s Creed games continue the RPG trend?

Assassin’s Creed Codename Red (currently in development) is expected to continue the RPG trend. However, Ubisoft has stated that they plan to explore different gameplay styles within the Assassin’s Creed universe, potentially offering both RPG and more traditional stealth-action experiences in the future.

6. Which Assassin’s Creed RPG has the biggest world?

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla features the largest world map, encompassing regions of Norway and England. Odyssey comes in second, with a massive map of Ancient Greece.

7. Which Assassin’s Creed RPG has the best story?

Story preference is subjective, but many fans consider Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to have the most compelling narrative due to its engaging characters, branching storylines, and impactful dialogue choices.

8. What are the pros and cons of the Assassin’s Creed RPGs?

• Pros: Deeper gameplay, extensive customization, longer playtime, rewarding exploration.
• Cons: Departure from the series’ original stealth-action focus, potential for repetitive grinding, overwhelming content for some players.

9. Is the loot system in Assassin’s Creed RPGs similar to Diablo?

While not as complex as Diablo‘s loot system, the Assassin’s Creed RPGs feature a similar concept of finding and equipping items with varying stats and rarities.

10. How does the skill tree work in Assassin’s Creed RPGs?

Players earn skill points by leveling up and completing quests. These points can be spent on unlocking new abilities and passive bonuses, allowing for diverse character builds.

11. Can you romance characters in Assassin’s Creed RPGs?

Yes, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla feature romance options with various characters. These relationships can range from casual flings to more meaningful connections.

12. Are the Assassin’s Creed RPGs historically accurate?

While the Assassin’s Creed games are set in historical periods, they often take creative liberties with the timeline and events for the sake of storytelling.

13. What is the best way to play Assassin’s Creed Origins?

The “best” way to play is subjective and depends on your playstyle, but focus on completing side quests to level up your character, explore the open world to find valuable loot, and experiment with different skills and weapons to find what suits you.

14. What order should I play the Assassin’s Creed RPGs?

A good starting point is Assassin’s Creed Origins, as it introduces the core RPG mechanics. Afterwards, you can play Odyssey and then Valhalla. Each game is largely self-contained, so the order is not critical.

15. Are there any mods for Assassin’s Creed RPGs?

Yes, there is a thriving modding community for the Assassin’s Creed RPGs, offering a range of modifications that enhance graphics, add new content, and alter gameplay mechanics.