If Ubisoft Remakes Assassin’s Creed, It Should Look To Final Fantasy VII

Hot off the reveal that Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 2 is named Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, I’ve been doing a number of desirous about remakes, their goal in video video games, and what video games want and don’t want them. 

As a backside line, I’m not against any remake. If a studio desires to take a brand new crack at an previous sport, particularly if it’s the studio behind the unique launch, why not? It’s not like I’ve to purchase the sport, and who is aware of, it might be a brand new favourite for me. That’s what occurred with FF7R. I like Final Fantasy 7, and I used to be frightened the remake wouldn’t do it justice. Well, it seems FF7R is one in all my favourite video games ever. Plus, on the finish of the day, in lots of instances, the unique sport remains to be there for me to play ought to I want to try this. 

However, all this discuss and hypothesis surrounding Final Fantasy VII Rebirth acquired me desirous about one other sport rumored to be getting the remake therapy: Assassin’s Creed. There are many rumors about this long-running franchise: Assassin’s Creed Infinity was closely rumored earlier than an official reveal. There’s the rumor of a remake of the primary Assassin’s Creed, and there’s additionally a rumor that presumably this 12 months, we may be getting a smaller-scale sport referred to as Assassin’s Creed Rift that’s centered on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Basim (thanks, Bloomberg). The one rumor I’m most enthusiastic about and equally frightened about is the Assassin’s Creed remake. 

Remaking Altair’s journey that kickstarted all the collection is a high-quality thought. It’s exhausting to play right this moment on comparatively fashionable consoles, and if somebody is a more moderen fan of the collection because of the RPG efforts of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, possibly they’re itching to take a look at the place all of it started. However, if somebody is to do exactly that, I consider they are going to be met with a not-so-great sport to play in 2022. Assassin’s Creed was a major first step, made even higher with the standard of life enhancements of Assassin’s Creed II. However, even that much-better sport is harder to play right this moment as its age is definitely exhibiting. That’s doubly the case with Assassin’s Creed. The fight is simplistic and never very participating consequently. Visually, it might use a decision increase on the very least, and the general gameplay loop is kind of monotonous. 

It’s playable, nevertheless it’s not a really perfect expertise. That’s the place the ability of a remake can are available. And much more so, I believe an Assassin’s Creed remake ought to observe the FF7R route. At a baseline, a remake would possible enhance the entire floor issues I’ve with Assassin’s Creed right this moment. Ubisoft might enhance the gameplay, replace the controls and visuals, and convey the sport to platforms which are straightforward to entry. 

As a franchise, Assassin’s Creed has strayed a bit from its authentic imaginative and prescient, particularly narratively, however I believe an FF7R-style remake might present some much-needed meta-commentary to the collection. Much in the identical manner FF7R is a meta-discussion on the aim of remakes and the significance, or typically lack thereof, of the voice of followers in remakes, I believe Assassin’s Creed must do the identical. The Assassin’s Creed of right this moment is a far cry (heh) from what Altair’s first journey was about, however not essentially in a nasty manner. I simply assume connecting the dots between Altair’s journey and its significance to the newest Assassin journey from Eivor is nigh inconceivable. Assassin’s Creed isn’t in regards to the worldwide faceoff between Assassins and Templars anymore. And that’s okay. The collection is almost 15 years previous – issues change and evolve. I’m enthusiastic about that evolution and what Ubisoft can say about it with an Assassin’s Creed remake. 

Let Altair’s actions converse to how not black and white issues are within the Assassins vs. Templar battle. Let him point out former proto-Assassins like Bayek, Kassandra, and Eivor. Let him warn of some Assassins turning on themselves if the order continues to remain inflexible in its manner. Let the fight really feel extra just like the motion RPG it’s right this moment, and convey the climbing in step with the collection’ newest efforts, too – I’m a educated murderer dangit, let me climb something and every thing. 

It’s a giant ask, particularly contemplating this rumored remake, if correct, will nearly undoubtedly be a typical by-the-books challenge – not each studio has a Tetsuya Nomura prepared to cut up beloved canon. But think about if it was extra. Imagine if it drastically modified some fan-favorite occasions and moments to recontextualize massive concepts in regards to the franchise, like FF7R did for Final Fantasy 7, all whereas trying lots higher and enjoying higher, too. It might present new which means to the Assassin’s order and its place in historical past, which is a narrative beat that is been misplaced amidst the glitz and glimmer of the collection’ newfound open-world RPG stardom. And it might reconnect entries that followers like myself have struggled to hook up with the broader modern-day storyline that we’re nonetheless searching for solutions to right this moment. 

Assassin’s Creed is without doubt one of the greatest franchises in all of gaming, and a remake like this may renew curiosity amongst jaded followers and usher in new gamers who don’t really feel that there’s start line within the collection right this moment. That’s the aim of remake, in any case, proper? Hopefully, Ubisoft acknowledges that.