Fans of theAssassin’s Creedseries have been hopeful to see the games move from the generally European settings to other parts of the world. Southeast Asia has shown up as one of the most requested locations, which has led torumors ofAssassin’s Creedin Chinaquickly becoming one of the most anticipated games to not yet exist.
However, simply placing anAssassin’s Creedgame in China is only half of the equation, as choosing the right time period to fit the series’ overarching lore is equally important. China has a fascinating history to explore and so taking the fight betweenAssassins and Templars to ancient Chinaopens up opportunities to explore some great moments in the country’s past.
The First Opium Wars
One direction thatAssassin’s Creedcan move in is by setting the Chinese title in The First Opium Wars, which may have an opportunity to correct a previous game. Specifically, targeting a more recent event in history could take another look at European Imperialism, similar to howAssassin’s Creed 3dealt with the American Revolution and Native American culture. Additionally, this could also provide the moment when Templars and Assassins made the transition into Southeast Asia.
This could also prove to be an opportune time to have a combination of different weapon types as well, the way that the series began evolving technology fromAssassin’s Creed 2toSyndicate. Recent games have taken a step back from introducing explosives and firearms into the series, but a trip to 1839 can introduce some new weapons as well as some troubling history. Of course, as is the case with most Ubisoft releases, it’ll beAssassin’s Creed’s protagonistsand characters that will make the game better than anything the weapons can do.
Mongol Conquest of China
While it might not helpseparateAssassin’s CreedfromGhost of Tsushima, the time period of the Mongol Empire is one of the most influential moments in Asia’s history. There is a reason why so many stories set in ancient Asia involve the 150 year war effort to conquer most of the known world. The lasting effects of this period have impacted almost every aspect of history in China and the surrounding areas, even permanently affecting the genealogy of the surrounding area.
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A time of turmoil like this could work in the same way that bothAssassin’s Creed 3andOdysseyfollowed the story of a single family during war. WithUbisoft’s attention to characters, this era could closely examine the culture of both China and the Mongol empire, while showing the individual effects on the people living in a warzone. It’s a tried and true way of formingAssassin’s Creedtitles, with an invading force run by the Templars being fought off by the underdog Assassin’s.
Three Kingdoms
Saving the best for last, however, the Three Kingdoms era is an epic moment in China’s history that has already inspired titles likeDynasty Warriorsand one of theTotal Wargames. Most people’s understanding of the time period is theRomance of the Three Kingdoms, which could act as the perfect starting point forAssassin’s Creed Chinato spring from. Although, what may set this apart from other games in the series is the way that the time period was much more nuanced than an invasion, or a war with an outside force.
As themodern story ofAssassin’s Creedcontinues to improve, taking a look back at the foundational moments of the world could make both parts of the game equally excellent. The options for cultural stories within this time period and the influential characters available to draw from are endless. If there’s any moment that would excel as an open-worldAssassin’s Creedtitle, it’s during the Three Kingdoms era.
Assassin’s Creed Chinais rumored to be in development.
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