Since Assassin’s Creed Hexe was first revealed at Ubisoft Forward in 2022, Ubisoft has shared extremely limited information about this mysterious project. Despite the lack of details beyond a brief teaser, fans have been speculating for months about what new and unique experiences the game could bring.
This interest in Assassin’s Creed Hexe is largely due to its unusually gloomy and ominous atmosphere, which consists of dark forests and scarecrows – a radical departure from the usual locations and themes of the series. Since the announcement, promising theories have emerged as to what historical and mystical elements Hexe might explore, and the game has the unique opportunity to be the first AC title to be fully immersed in the horror genre.
The image of the dark forest landscapes in the Assassin’s Creed Hexe teaser, as well as the codename Hexe itself, hint that the game’s plot will revolve around a coven of witches. Given that the franchise traditionally draws on real historical events and periods, there is every reason to assume that Hexe will take place between 1500 and 1700, when mass persecutions of witches took place in the Holy Roman Empire.
This period was marked by intense persecution of women accused of witchcraft, with the most frequent and brutal witchcraft trials taking place in the 17th century in what is now Germany. Such historical content would be ideal for introducing a religious institution into the game, which, as we know, is often associated with the Knights Templar in the Assassin’s Creed universe. It’s possible the game will offer a story with its first female protagonist, which would be an unusual move for the series if it does indeed focus on a witches’ coven.
While the themes of Assassin’s Creed games tend to be serious in nature, they are often toned down by humorous and even comedic moments. However, Hexe should discard such elements. If the protagonist turns out to be an Isu Seer, he could have mystical powers such as curses and diseases to defeat his enemies. This approach would make the character vulnerable, but at the same time a terrifying presence, lurking in the shadows and using his knowledge of nature to his advantage.
Hexe aims to convey a genuine sense of fear and anxiety that enemies will experience in front of the protagonist, completely changing the usual horror scenario. In this role, the player becomes a looming, ominous threat. Psychological horror could play a significant role in Hexe’s narrative, creating a sense of constant menace and giving objects like the scarecrows in the teaser a creepy and important role.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla used Cursed Symbols to distort terrain, and Hexe could expand on this concept by giving the player the ability to control areas and reduce the presence of enemies in certain areas. While the Assassin’s Creed franchise typically places an emphasis on skilled melee combat, Hexe could easily live up to its already grim reputation by taking horror mechanics into the core of both its combat and exploration systems.
Here are some mechanics that could appear in Hexe:
Intimidation and psychological warfare tactics:
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The ability to leave ominous symbols or signs that cause fear and panic among enemies
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Using means to induce hallucinations or paranoia in opponents
Environmental manipulation:
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Ability to cause fog or darkness, reducing enemy vision and increasing their vulnerability
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Creating noises and sounds that distract and disorient enemies, making them easy prey
Using your enemies’ fear against them:
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Implementation of a fear system where enemies can panic or even flee if their terror level reaches a critical point
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The ability to “infect” one enemy with fear, which then spreads to others, creating chaos and disorder
Invisibility and stealth:
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Abilities that allow the player to become invisible or nearly invisible, enhancing the sense of subtle and pervasive terror
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Using shadows and cover to create surprise and shock attacks
Control over creatures and elements:
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The ability to summon or control animals and creatures that will instill fear or attack enemies
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Using natural elements such as wind or thunder to create a tense and scary environment
Terrifying traps and traps:
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Placing traps that can not only injure but also frighten enemies, such as causing them to see eerie visions or hear scary sounds
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The ability to set up “accidents” that will look like manifestations of the supernatural
The release date for Assassin’s Creed Hexe has not been announced. In the best case scenario, the game will be released later this year.
