Assassins Creed's Surprising Absence of Nostalgia
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- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
- In this video we explore the reasons for Assassin's Creed's lack of nostalgia in recent years and the ways the franchise has tried to incorperate it across the years.
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I think the biggest problem is that the historical setting became the main priority for the games whereas the settings were simply a backdrop like it was in the Altair/Ezio saga.
So, after a certain point in history is "done" in their eyes. They don't want to focus on the character's story. they'd rather get top the next point in history with notable events.
Which doesn't help the view that AC is a "History simulator", but they are never consistent on whether it is or not because they want to attract casuals and 'hardcore' AC fans.
I remember that random Ezio voice in AC Valhalla.. that's a prime example of forced nostalgia.
This kinda reminds me dying light and them forcing Kyle crane back into the series.. Like the dlc for dying light 2 was supposed to be a story expansion for adien to flesh out more of his character and story but because everyone was blinded by Nostalgia for Kyle crane they thought adien was horrible compared to him and didnt deserve a dlc so techland saw that and said wait let's reverse what happend to Kyle crane in the following and bring him back for this story and sheleve adiens story and use the Nostalgia for sales
@@Hidden_CreedThey didn't reverse anything. The infected ending is the canon one. And Techland didn't publicly say that they weren't gonna give Aiden a DLC, they just wanted the Beast to release beforehand.
@@Hidden_CreedAlso funny how both Kyle Crane and Ezio are voiced by Roger Craig Smith.
@LarryTheTugaGamer1511 Like its pretty clear they brought him back for nisotlga.. yes, the infected ending is cannon, but we see him turn into most likely a sentient volitale rooming free out of harran.. So, who or how were they able to catch him when no other person could. It's a wait and see I guess, but it just feels like Nostalgia and techland said there won't be a dlc 2 for dying light 2 now like its been confirmed by them so we won't see any dlc expanding adiens story now so he is left in the dark now of what happens...
@LarryTheTugaGamer1511 ya it is kinda funny 🤣🤣💀
I just hate how the feel the need to change the setting every year instead of emphasizing the growth and development of the characters. So many good characters without proper time to develop. Arno, Bayek, Edward, Connor, to name a few.
unfortunately you can see that growth in the dlc's and only a little bit on the ending of their respective games. i know it happens with Arno and Bayek in their dlc
Bayek and/or Aya not getting a sequel is a massive missed opportunity tbh. Both amazing characters, Bayek's final letter in Valhalla got me tearing up
@@D-F-T one game is plenty of time to develop a protagonist imo, especially when they’re reaching 50 hours for one playthrough (without dlc)
@@dylenwithane I agree but apparently Ubisoft is incapable of doing so. They needed 3 games, 3 novels, and 2 short films to develop Ezio. The only characters they successfully developed in one game are Edward, Bayek, and Jason from FC3. Even then, there were some pieces missing for the former two.
Agreed. The franchise would have benefitted hugely from exploring those characters further and seeing that they reach their fullest potential. But it's uncontroversial that Ubisoft's approach and motivations have changed. It's almost as if they've exhausted this tendency to really take their time with a character with the Ezio trilogy.
Will Ospreay got Roger Craig Smith to return with the voice of Ezio for his entrance at All In this year...I honestly teared up
@@tragedywaiting6957 I had no idea about that! I’ve just watched it now that was awesome!!
AC 2007-2014. Unity was the last game that felt like a genuine serious take on AC.
Mr. Willis! Thank you for another great presentation and for raising a very important point. I agree that Ubisoft has shot themselves in the foot by ignoring nostalgia. Obviously they are not listening to those of us who have written letters requesting that the unfinished stories be continued (Ratonhnhake:ton, Arno, the Frey Twins, and even Aguilar). These characters are so rich in their background stories that it is a shame that they’ve been left unfinished. Such a snub to devoted AC fans. Ubisoft has given us these fabulous characters, characters that are so vivid that one has to wonder if they, or someone like them, truly existed. And I think that our love for them is what drives our love for Assassin’s Creed, yet that devotion is not being validated or rewarded. I’m a writer so this lack of further character development has nicely traumatized me to write stories about what could have happened to Arno and Aguilar. Thanks again for another thought provoking study.
I think Assassin's Creed has built a reputation of each game being similar to the last but different to an extent. The time periods change almost always, giving us plenty of games in the series where each game stands on its own as well as being a part of a larger connected universe. That's one reason I love the series. Sure, some characters could make for great sequels, but I like the many different periods we get to visit.
I think Ubisoft should start committing to characters more. Like imagine we actually get a shadows 2 with a different setting but same characters. I think that would benefit the series in the long run similar to how the ezio trilogy did. You can still have a different country or region, for example china or korea but it would a continuation of the story of shadows. Exactly like in revelations: new setting, same character.
Oh, thank you for the Jurassic Park example. Honestly im putting a bit of faith in this new movie, it could be our Mirage. But nostalgia has been ONE of the problems in this mess of a franchise
It would be really cool to see Altaïr, Ezio, Connor, or Edward in a new mainline game, but knowing Ubisoft right now, they will probably miraculously find a way to fuck up these great characters.
@@OWTShark no more Ezio.
Nothing angered me more than you said "AC isnt about the story anymore, its about the adventure" because it couldn't be more true. There are multiple past characters that can carry a main line game because the story potential is there. First character to come to mind is a game about a young Haytham distancing himself from his father legacy and his rise to grandmaster, the Arno/Connor/Shae game (AC:Vengeance) and also a Bayek AC brotherhood style game were he builds the hidden ones and the struggles of running an organization built on secrets and ancient aliens (Isu). Ubisoft has countless studios(even ubi don't know how many studios they have) why not let a few of them play with a legacy story driven game.
I think that nostalgia would work in AC, but maybe not in the way that original/older fans would like
I mean, you think about how AC 3 was 12 years ago, the last time we saw a full game with ezio was 13 (ignoring VR).
Ubisoft has ignored older characters for so long that if they were to start now, I'm sure they feel like a majority of potential buyers wouldn't have a reference point for it. If they were to do another game with nostalgia, I would say it would be probably Arno forward if that. But more likely is that we see another game reference Bayek or include Basim. Of the recent protagonists, they have the highest potential for return while still keeping some of the younger audiences. People who play AC because of sticking with the series I don't think line up to people who play it because it's a cool setting and a massive adventure game.
Essentially, you're right. They set it up with each protagonist so separated that there isn't really a market for it. Especially if you look at the total number of sales for AC Brotherhood, revelations or rogue (games that show recurring characters) vs. Odyssey (a game with almost 0% tie to assassins) or Valhalla (a game where you specifically play as NOT am assassin). More people today buy those games for the setting, visuals and gameplay than the people who buy it for the story that started 16 years ago. (I'm saying this based purely off of the fact that those newer games sell so much more, which means more people played the new ones than the old ones).
They missed the boat 100%, and if they wanna do nostalgia, it's gonna be through Cassandra, Bayek, Basically, etc. Most likely we won't see older characters come back into story until they get a full AAA remake that brings them back into the culture.
Also, to be clear, I'm saying this from my idea of what the Ubisoft mentality is, not my own lol. As a fan since the first game, I would love to see the crossovers. But as soon as we got to syndicate, I kinda accepted we weren't going to see recurring characters anymore
I think you're forgetting that the first game particularly doesn't run on new PlayStation consoles, and while Ezio is easily the most recognizable protagonists, those games haven't exactly aged the best to some people. And many people still play the games for the story. It is a story game, so people still want that. You may have quarrels about different characters and perspectives in AC, but Kassandra and Eivor have their place just as much as Haytham or Shay, who sadly suffers the most from a pretty ok game with bad writing.
Nostalgia can be a great thing in ac, but it can also be a downright horrible thing. Like, u can have too much nostalgia, and people will call them lazy for reusing a fan favorite character or a place like eqypt again or u can have not enough Nostalgia and there again get called lazy for not using there fan fav character and not reusing a place like eqypt.. Like its a hard balance they would have to perform to get it just right so everyone is pleased and not pissed. Especially making it a natural fitting nostalgia, not a forced one
Assassins creed is the prefect series to do cross overs, with the biggest example being Connor and Shay and Arno.
They should do that story in the form of a novel
@@unicorntomboy9736 that’s a good idea.
Please do a video discussing the Assassin's Creed novels that have been published over the years.
I think the best one is Assassin's Creed Forsaken, alongside The Secret Crusade, and Unity (which essentially acts as a sequel of-sorts to Forsaken).
I have read Assassin's Creed Forsaken and i think it is better, narrative speaking, than the game it is based on. Same with Assassin's Creed Unity novel, which followed Elise as the protagonist instead of Arno (thank god). Like Forsaken, the book is far, far superior narratively than the game (which was horribly written) it was based on, in my opinion at least. The novel framed Elise as having some parallels with Haythem Kenway in some respects.
I’ve been saying this!!! Great mines think alike and they could make AC games forever and they can make sequels for the older one off Assassins
Thanks!
I think the worst thing AC has ever done nostalgia wise was depicting Darius as a full on assassin hundreds of years before Bayek creates the hidden ones. He should have just been a dude who made a wrist blade but he was dressed like an assassin and doing a leap of faith just so we could point and clap
Assassin’s Creed VR felt a tiny bit like nostalgia bait, Connor and Ezio both in the same game?
05:02 it happened in Liberation as well
Finally the gods have granted my wish
Its funny u mention the idea of going to Masyaf temple that was actually carried out by Roshan when we see her in ac Valhalla with Eivor. We see her eliminate the target to clean up lose ends as well as retrieve the letter that was meant for masyaf to spread the word of the creed... So both Basim and Rayhan had the idea to spread the creed threw out the world like going to England which basim and haythem (Basim for his own gain and Haythem to actual spread the creed) did and Masyaf but the letter was stolen and word did not reach until Roshan retrieved the letter and deliver it there herself. Then the creed blossomed to the creed we know in ac1. So Basim did inspire the creed to go to Masyaf but was followed threw by Roshan to make sure it came to be
Nostalgia is hey you can run around in this new game in other Assassins robes. 😅 What are your thoughts about the shift in attitude towards training new assassins? Like Ezio and Altair were really taught, but later with Shay and Arno, their mentors are so negative towards them. My theory is that it's a parallel to Desmond's experience.
In before I get told I just love AC2 for nostalgia
i feel like ac rogue didn't sell well because it released the same time as unity and that was next gen hype
I didn't like the setting, or it's protagonist
Yeah I think them making these games with different historical back drops so far apart from eachother kind of locks them into the stand alone series as the characters from previous games are either Gonna be dead way to young or not even born yet when the new games happen the only way they can do anything adding other previous chacters in and keep it from some fansty explanation of immortality is to do series on one chacter like enzio I think bayek would be the best as he's from all the way in the beginning of the timeline and u can do a series of games of him building up the assassin's but I feel like they wouldn't do it cuz they are afraid people won't buy a game with the same chacters backdrop around the same time as I think that's just part of the appeal to the games some games are just met to be fun mess around experiences I don't think they are trying to appeal to a story driven fan base anymore
Whenever I read comments involving Assassin's Creed, people always say that ac 2 is better than any other game and call AC Origins a "Witcher Clone". they think like Witcher is the only RPG game, no game can beat it. I think Witcher 3 is overrated imo.
There were many many RPG's before The Witcher Franchise. Why didn't they call it a "Final Fantasy Clone". AC 2 is also overrated. If AC Origins was released back in 2009 with AC 2's graphics and AC 2 was released in 2017 with Origins' Graphics. People would prefer the former just because of nostalgia.
I am tired of people saying "We want the old AC". Ubisoft needed to innovate, otherwise the franchise would be dead years ago. AC Valhalla is the Best Selling AC Game, and.. it is the part of the RPG Trilogy. I personally like the RPG style of the modern games. The stealth and parkour is also a lot better.
People say Ezio is the best protagonist, and well.. I do agree with that but he got 3 GAMES! AC Origins' story was a lot sadder. Bayek left his wife to seek revenge and form the Hidden Ones. I personally think Bayek is the best protagonist. When he had to be serious, he was serious. When he had to laugh, he laughed.
Witcher 3's combat is also really boring. AC Origins side quests were also really good. It connected to the main story. One example is when Bayek killed Rudjek, his mistress tried to take revenge.
Not seen anyone call it a Witcher clone in a while but the reason for that would be that they openly copied the combat and having loads of side quests.
You can't seriously be saying RPG era parkour is better than any previous ACs?! Opinion and such, I suppose. If someone likes simple, mindless, slow and restrictive movement, that's up them.
I like the RPGs, including the combat, but some of what you've said seems silly to me
@@WideOldDan It's short-sighted to call RPG-era parkour "simple, mindless, slow, and restrictive". The parkour in the older AC games was awesome for what it was but the newer games have huge open worlds. It doesn’t make sense to use the same system when you’re more often exploring deserts, mountains, or sprawling landscapes. The movement isn’t worse, it’s just adapted to a different type of gameplay.
And the old combat was basically pressing counter to win. You could call it fun if that's what you find in it but I think it's super repetitive. RPG games like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla have so much more variety with different enemy types, weapons, you can think through your approach depending on who you're fighting. To me, that's way better than simply pressing a button at the right time
@@DoomGirl50 what do we play for? I play them for fun. A movement system that's fun is better than one that's simply functional. The AC movement system was one of three pillars of AC gameplay, and the main reason many people enjoyed. An AC world should adapt to AC movement not the other way around.
The counter is overpowered in older games. It's not the best option in every situation but it works. The original game has the best combat system, in my opinion, RPG is probably second. The AC1 combat has plenty of techniques to keep someone entertained. The best of which is also OP but takes a fair bit of skill to consistently do it
@@WideOldDan Despite your preferences, the series had to evolve with the times. Sticking with the old parkour system just doesn’t fit with the way games have progressed despite the nostalgia.
RPG systems let you tweak your build and mess around with different weapons and skills and it can make combat interesting for people who are interested in that kind of thing, and from what I've seen that seems to be a really large group, which, if they did the old style again, it likely won't hold their attention as well due to a lack of customization.
Also, saying the world should adapt to the old movement system is a bit backwards. Games need to evolve to match what players are looking for and how design is moving forward. That's the way companies like to operate and clearly, a lot of people like the RPG elements
@@DoomGirl50 it's not nostalgia. So many things have been discovered and shared about the older games fairly recently that they are new experiences.
AC had a niche, now it doesn't have much of a personality. If Ubisoft had made better tutorials then people wouldn't have missed 90% of what the old games mechanics had to offer.
The RPG games are good, very enjoyable, but they don't really stand out like AC used to.
*Remember at the end of Odyssey it had Kassie see the future of the franchise I thought it was the coolest thing ever.*
Same with Aya being in Kassies bloodline that reveal was Fantastic 🎉
Ubisoft need to let go of Ezio. He IS the nostalgia bait. By name, by his theme, by his robes, Assassin's Creed seemingly can't bring in money if Ezio isn't in the games.
He wasn't as great as people say, a silver tounge doesn't excuse him breaking the Assassin rules.
But I will be told by people that I'm wrong and that I'm baiting rage, when I'm telling my honest opinion. I never liked him, I don't get what people see in him. Ok, I do, but he was a safe Disney-like protagonist. Him and Luke Skywalker are almost exactly alike, but Luke didn't "have plenty of assests" and he also was an old, bitter master who reluctingly helped an apprentice. But Luke died fighting, his story was-in my opinion-better than the Ezio Trilogy.
Sorry, needed to let it out.
Ezio's Family is all I want. I love the variations of it that encapsulate the franchise in each Era we visit. Ezio is the most iconic assassin for good reason. The entire series is still connected, and while some people will still want older protagonists to return, the newer protagonists are doing just as fine. Kassandra alone is a gaming icon. Specific fans may not like her, but she is one of the most popular alongside Ezio and Edward.
Oh my god, are you real?
The Ezio glazers been getting on my nerves and I never thought I'd see someone with the same opinion as me.
Sure, Ezio is iconic but VERY overrated.
But I feel like I can't freely express that opinion because:
1- I'll get cooked
2- My 2 favourite Assassins are one of the most hated (Arno Dorian) and one of the most under appreciated (Evie Frye)
@@alyaasultan2172 Honestly it's very rare to find someone who doesn't like Ezio. Glad I'm not alone.
Yeah, he got 3 games and suddenly he is the GOAT? I don't even know what makes him so special. Yeah I guess he rebuilt the italian Brotherhood, but he didn't save the world. His goals clash with eachother, Ubisoft really thought 2 would be an awesome, edgy masterpiece but after 15 years he isn't that great.
I'm curious, why don't YOU like him?
@@spelareNR14 I can't necessarily say that I dislike or even hate Ezio but can't say that I love him either. He's just an Assassin that I didn't connect to.
A couple years ago when I played one of his games, my expectations were so VERY high (I was truly prepared to have a mind-blowing experience and finally understand the hype lmao) but was very disappointed.
Was the story great? Yes.
What matters more is the gameplay and to *me*, it was mid.
Ezio himself? Didn't find myself doing backflips for him😭 I prefer Arno over Ezio and I think their characteristics are similar but I just found myself liking Arno more.
Maybe my high expectations that weren't met is the main reason for my indifference towards the Ezio trilogy but his fans are a main reason as well.
My 3rd favourite is Rogue simply bcz it was my 1st AC game when my brother introduced me to the franchise. I'm fully aware that it's not the best when it comes to story or gameplay and that my love for it is connected to my nostalgia and its main theme that enchanted me. I never tried to force people into believing that Rogue was a MASTERPIECE or tried to glaze Shay Cormac and make him seem more than what he was, that's something that Ezio lovers can't do. They're driven by nostalgia so hard that they can't comprehend that other people will love other games and other characters than him. I've l8rly had to act like I LOVE him multiple times when I sense an Ezio glazers is about to sniff my way😭💁♀️
Another thing is that they CANNOT just sit down and enjoy another AC game. Ubi makes a unique theme song? They hate it and compare it to Ezio's Family. Ubi makes a different variation of Ezio's Family to fit the game's theme? They get mad bcz nothing will top the OG.
Also the double standards?
Syndicate's grapple hook which was a great addition and ACCURATE? HELL NO!
Ezio pulls out a fucking glider?
Sure, no problem🙂↔️
Evie goes from naive to mature and sensible? "She's boring!"
Ezio goes from naive to mature and sensible? "THE BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE FRANCHISE!"
Arno makes mistakes and cares for his lover? "No character/simp"
Ezio makes mistakes and had MULTIPLE lovers? Somehow he's the opposite of a simp and apparently "his character's depth is unmatched!"
Honestly, I do not care whether people love him or not, if they can just stop being toxic and let people enjoy what they want then the AC fanbase would be so much more positive💛
God forbid I say that Syndicate, Unity, and Rogue were the peak days of the franchise without getting slandered for having a different taste.
I dislike the RPG system but I never attack or roast the people who DO enjoy that gameplay🤷♀️
I'm so sorry for writing so much!💛
I js feel like an AC fans who's in the trenches and doesn't fit in😭
My theory is the story about the Assassins Vs Templars feels too similar to Liberals vs Conservatives, a story about killing their political foes.
I think this is why they have been shying away from these story elements.
It’s wild out there these days, I kinda get it.
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