Ubisoft’s renowned Assassin’s Creed franchise is taking a revolutionary step forward, with its latest offering, Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, set to immerse fans into the realm of virtual reality. This highly anticipated title has been announced to hit Meta Quest devices on November 16 and will be priced at a reasonable $39.99.
In a gameplay trailer that has garnered significant attention, Ubisoft takes pride in calling Nexus “the first AAA VR title of the franchise”. Notably, the game offers players the opportunity to embody three iconic characters from the series’ rich lineage of heroes: Ezio Auditore from Assassin’s Creed II, Connor Kenway from Assassin’s Creed 3, and Kassandra from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
This promises to be an intriguing trip down memory lane, as players will navigate through pivotal historical backdrops such as Renaissance Italy, the tumultuous American Revolution, and the grandeur of Ancient Greece.
Interestingly, Nexus deviates from the series’ traditional third-person viewpoint, introducing the first-ever first-person perspective for an Assassin’s Creed game. This was crafted by the renowned Ghost Recon studio, Red Storm, which has been instrumental in the development process. The trailer showcases various facets of the game, giving us glimpses of the first-person combat, intricate parkour mechanics, and the overall ambiance of the distinct historical settings.
The gameplay is intricately designed to encapsulate the essence of Assassin’s Creed. Alongside the exhilarating parkour, players can also engage in intense melee combat, utilize ranged weaponry, and execute stealth operations. The familiar elements like the Hidden Blade, smoke bombs, and air assassinations seamlessly integrate into this virtual experience. Players can interact with civilians and key historical figures, all of whom dynamically respond to in-game VR actions.
However, showcasing VR on traditional 2D video platforms presents a challenge. The immersive nature of VR is tricky to encapsulate fully on a flat screen. It’s analogous to trying to convey the aroma or flavor of a dish through imagery; the true essence is often lost in translation. Hence, while VR gameplay trailers might appear slightly unrefined or “janky”, it is essential to note that the real-time VR experience is monumentally different and far more immersive. It offers a depth and realism that simply cannot be conveyed adequately through standard video.
This transition of the Assassin’s Creed series into the VR space is a the next if crawl-like step towards the next evolution of gaming. The franchise’s choice to present in first-person within the VR context is a significant one, and while some fans argue that third-person could also be impactful in VR, the consensus is that first-person offers a richer immersion, especially for a title as dynamic as Assassin’s Creed. It brings players closer to the action, allowing them to literally step into the shoes of their favorite assassins.
By merging the historical intricacies of the Assassin’s Creed world with cutting-edge VR technology, Ubisoft is setting the stage for an unprecedented gaming experience.
Fans and newcomers alike should mark their calendars for November 16, as the virtual realms of Renaissance Italy, Revolutionary America, and Ancient Greece await their exploration.
But, if you aren’t a fan of VR experiences, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which comes out on October 5, is a throwback to the early days of the franchise. Its hardware requirements are surprisingly tame, which bodes well for those who are playing it on consoles.
