Assassin’s Creed Shadows has just hit 1 million players within 24 hours—a clear indication that Ubisoft’s latest entry in the franchise is off to a strong start. With this success, part of me is genuinely excited for the series’ future, especially with the upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Hexe.
Also known as Assassin’s Creed: Neo (a working title), the next installment is set during the Witch Trials in the Holy Roman Empire, likely in the 17th century, a century after Shadows.
Not much is known about the game, but it will undoubtedly revolve around the occult, witchcraft, and superstition. Given Ubisoft’s general reluctance to incorporate outright magic in their base games (aside from Isu-related elements), it will be fascinating to see how the studio approaches witches and black magic from a more grounded perspective.
Years ago, fans were already dissecting the game’s insignia when Ubisoft teased and revealed the Assassin’s logo on September 10, 2022. The translated message read: "We work in the dark to serve the light."—a familiar creed for longtime players. Surrounding the pentagram was another inscription: "Mephisto, avenge this house."—a clear indication of satanic influence tied to the Brotherhood.
There’s an air of mystery surrounding Hexe, and the possibilities for Ubisoft to experiment with new ideas are endless. The 17th century was not an easy time for free thinkers in the Holy Roman Empire, which makes me eager to see how the Assassins will navigate this period of paranoia and persecution.
The setting will likely be an open-world version of the Nuremberg region or somewhere within the vast Holy Roman Empire. If Ubisoft continues to expand on its signature large-scale environments, we could see Germany brought to life in stunning detail.
click to enlargeThere’s a lot I’m anticipating from Hexe beyond just its location and historical depth—I’m also eager to see how Ubisoft develops its characters. I’m no expert on the Holy Roman Empire, but I’d love to see a female protagonist this time, rather than a dual-character system like Naoe and Yasuke in Shadows. Perhaps Hexe’s Assassin will be a master of subterfuge, diplomacy, and manipulation, using the widespread hysteria of the time to their advantage.
Either way, I’m all in—I can’t wait for this game to arrive. Hopefully, Shadows' success gives Ubisoft enough hope to push the series forward.
Until then, there’s plenty to enjoy with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as Naoe and Yasuke still have more stories to tell, especially with the first upcoming DLC, Claws of Awaji.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Features and Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe page.