With all this talk about Assassin’s Creed’s dwindling narrative cohesion, one thing that’s been bumming me out is how the series no longer takes risks with big reveals and twists—especially when it comes to the moral gray area between its two opposing forces: the Assassins and the Templars.
Looking back, rewatching Assassin’s Creed Rogue’s ending on YouTube reminded me that the series could benefit from riskier plot threads—ones that spark conversation and leave a lasting impact for fans.
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Assassin’s Creed Rogue, Assassin’s Creed Unity, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Assassin’s Creed III. You’ve been warned.
Here’s why Assassin’s Creed Rogue still has the best plot twist in the series
The Twist
As many know, the Irish Assassin we play throughout Rogue, Shay Cormac, ultimately defects to the Templars after questioning the true meaning of the Assassin’s Creed. That alone was a shocking turn, but what truly floored me was his role in assassinating Charles Dorian—Arno Dorian’s father—directly setting up the events of Unity.
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+ 2After that massive reveal, I couldn’t imagine anything more surprising. I sensed it was coming, but I never expected it to be so deeply tied into the broader series—much like Ubisoft’s interwoven narratives with Ezio and Altair. Now I’m wondering where Ubisoft is going with their new stories.
Ubisoft Needs to Take More Risks
The issue is that Ubisoft has not prioritized creating compelling narratives that advance the overarching story. Recent entries function more like an anthology, with little cohesion between them despite existing in the same universe. Exploring ancient open-world cities is great, but the franchise desperately needs a bolder approach to storytelling—one that subverts expectations.
There are deep philosophical approaches to be made when it comes to the Templars vs. Assassins conflict, and I’m pretty sure Ubisoft has talented writers if they decide to go for it.
click to enlarge + 2The closest thing we’ve had to a great twist in recent years was Black Flag’s Sage plotline, which caught me off guard, particularly in the modern-day segments. I wanted more of that. Unfortunately, none of the following entries have managed to replicate that feeling.
Basim Was a Step in the Right Direction
Among the franchise’s modern entries, one big reveal did stand out: Basim’s true identity as Loki. I’ll admit, I wasn’t all that invested in Valhalla’s story—its open world felt overwhelming and bloated, making it easy to forget much of my journey through England and Norway. But the Basim twist? That, at least, left an impression.
Still, it didn’t carry the same weight as Shay Cormac’s turn in Rogue because Basim’s actions ultimately led nowhere by the game’s ending. That’s why I previously argued that he deserves a third entry to solidify his role as a central figure in the series.
Looking ahead, I want Ubisoft to take more narrative risks that don’t just shake up a single game’s story but have lasting consequences for future titles.
Assassin’s Creed Rogue may not have had the best content or combat, but it was at its best when it handled a complicated plot thread involving the franchise's biggest factions.
I haven’t finished Assassin’s Creed Shadows yet, so I don’t know how its story will unfold. But at the very least, Yasuke and Naoe’s journey through Feudal Japan feels promising, and I’m eager to see what twists await.
RELATED: Assassin's Creed: Shadows Review
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