It is no secret that the aforementioned RPG elements of newer Assassin’s Creed titles have created a significantly different identity for the franchise, which has caused a divide within the community. Due to the more intimate scale of the rumored Rift, Ubisoft would do well to remove RPG elements altogether.
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Rumored Core Details of Assassin’s Creed Rift
Assassin’s Creed Rift has been the subject of rumors for some time, with even the prospective title “Rift” still being an unconfirmed, working moniker. According to these leaks and rumors, Rift will star the charismatic Basim Ibn Ishaq, an integral character in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Rift is said to have several ties to Valhalla, even supposedly beginning development as a DLC expansion for the latest Assassin’s Creed game. Given that rumors now indicate that Rift will now be its own standalone experience, it seems that Ubisoft has bigger plans, and the title could be released as soon as this year.
Rumors indicate that the game will be set in the Middle East, additionally tying Rift to the original Assassin’s Creed. Rift will reportedly follow Basim during his tumultuous journey as a Hidden Ones member, in which he comes to terms with the slow revelation of his shared existence with the Isu God Loki - a core plot element revealed during the events of Valhalla. As Loki begins to take more control over Basim’s life and physical presence, his morals and goals will shift, making for a potentially fascinating and character-driven storyline.
Why Ditching RPG Elements Would Be Good for Assassin’s Creed Rift
As previously mentioned, the introduction of RPG elements to newer games has completely changed the identity of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with many fans yearning for a return to the more linear and purely combat-based formulas of the original titles. With Rift reportedly being a much smaller than the likes of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, the game could easily lend itself to the more simplistic formula of past titles. Considering how much of the new RPG formula is contingent upon huge open-world exploration and leveling via quests, its implementation in Rift would likely not be the right fit for the game.
Considering Rift may be going back to the franchise’s geographical roots, it only makes sense that the classic mechanics be called upon as well. Instead of seeing huge amounts of different loot in the form of armor and weapon drops, Basim should be outfitted with a limited but effective arsenal of assassin weapons and basic attire. In addition to this, the re-implementation of the classic counter combat system from the original Assassin’s Creed games would definitely be a welcome return to form for long-time fans.
Different gameplay segments for Loki and Basim in Rift could be reminiscent to the duel protagonist system of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, giving further credence to how a return to classic mechanics would fit the rumored ideas behind Rift. If the game is to return to a gameplay formula akin to the original titles, Rift could ironically be the title to mend the rift that currently exists within the Assassin’s Creed fanbase.
Assassin’s Creed Rift is rumored to be in development.
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