Top 5 Locations For ASSASSIN’S CREED 4

Assassin’s Creed 3 has been a big success, not only because it finally continues the franchise past the Ezio era but also because it has the refreshing setting of the Colonies during the American revolution. Gamers are crying out for these interesting choices in setting or time period to mix things up from the standard gritty modern shooter or the future, post apocalyptic world that has been beset upon by brown and grey paint blob monsters. The Assassin’s Creed franchise is in a perfect position to explore these possibilities, already bringing us games from the Crusades, Borgia Italy, Constantinople and the birth of America. With the rest of the world open to them, where would you like to see them go next? Here’s 5 places we would love to see:

5) Egypt

Okay, for this list I’ll be ignoring the fact that they’re moving forward in time to eventually reach Desmond because the Ubisoft folk can whip up some mumbojumbo to take us back to these amazing places. The main draw of Egypt as a locale is simple; it would be visually breathtaking. In the last year we’ve seen sand mechanics in games improve vastly, with Journey, Uncharted 3 and Spec Ops: The Line all utilizing them effectively.

Sure Creative Director of AC3, Alex Hutchinson, has said Egypt would be a bore to play, likely due to the drawn out distances between iconic landmarks. With sandstorms providing cover, intense camel-back action and the glorious moment when you try to ‘eagle leap’ off the top of a Pyramid only to remember it’s sloping sides will leave you with a very sore face in the morning, surely it’s worth it?

Just imagine Drake in a hooded robe and… Sorted!

4) Revolutionary France

Having just covered the American Revolution, perhaps this would be treading on certain thematic toes from it’s predecessor but it seems like a natural step. There are some fantastic moments, the assault of the Bastille, the march to Versaille, the rise and eventual (hopefully player aided) death of Robespierre, responsible for roughly 16000 – 40000 deaths in his time.

The women’s march of Versaille could perhaps give good reason for  Aveline, the half French, half African assassin from Assassin’s Creed Liberation on the Playstation Vita to return as a main protagonist. The events in game could even extend as far as the Napoleonic Wars, if Ubi were wanting more grand historic figures.

Aveline may get her chance to be up on the big screen.

3) Modern Day – Desmond

Obviously this is the direction we’re heading in, but as someone who almost wishes the franchise was simply about taking your place as an assassin in the seminal historic moments without all of the Matrix style hullabaloo I’m not too keen on the idea. However, it could be interesting; taking the AC formula and applying it to present day locations and taking a more urban, Mirror’s Edge style approach.

I wont lie, after finally seeing the Adam and Eve video you can unlock in AC2, I was excited to see where it was going. However, I’m still not the biggest fan of Nolan No- I mean Desmond (Nolan North I love you) and the thought of playing a whole game as Blandy McBlandster makes me sad. The biggest appeal of these games is exploring these fantastic places, not just jumping off skyscrapers in Manhattan. Just pointing out, there is a significant lack of haystacks in Manhattan… Luckily it seems Ubisoft will milk the franchise as long as possible before reaching this climax.

Desmond prepares to take up the Assassin’s mantle. Unfortunately.

2) India

It was a toss up for this spot between Japan, China and India, I feel all would have both a beautiful aesthetic and a superb atmosphere. However I feel India is the most likely one we will see. Very few games explore this rich mine of fascinating subjects, and few games are as well poised as the AC games to pull it off. Writer of Assassin’s Creed 3, Corey May, has said he really wants to look at India, and would love to tackle the Raj in an upcoming game. All power to him, I would happily play that game.

Credit: Jael Kolken at http://jael-kolken.deviantart.com/

1) Victorian England

Perhaps it’s my bias for good old Blighty but this fan favorite location is clamored after for a reason. Running over roofs, hunting down targets in the fog smothered streets of Victorian era London fits so well into the Assassin’s Creed universe that if Ubisoft don’t do it, someone must! I’ll admit, Dishonored comes close to hitting the ideal (Check out our review here!) and would be a good basis to work of. The industrialization era gives a perfect setting both for some Templary goodness as well as the Indian mutiny, usefully setting up the previous choice as a valid location for a sequel.

Even better, the Victorian urban myth of Spring-heeled Jack, known for his “startling jumps”, that supposedly terrorized London at the time would either make for a fantastic Assassin, or at least the protagonist could be responsible for the myth. Another interesting figure who could crop up would be Jack the Ripper. It would be a slightly creepier game in tone, but would be incredible if pulled off right.

Darkness and Gloom are an assassin’s best friends. Britain is perfect!

There we have it, there are loads of other locations or time periods that would be great to explore but who knows what Ubi will do? We’ll probably have 2 more games set in the USA before we see a new location anyhow but by the time the next generation rolls around, lets hope Ubisoft have got something to blow us out of the water.