In a series that constantly reinvents itself, it's not a surprise that unofficial details about Assassin's Creed Ragnarok paint this very same picture. Part of its recent resurgence from the clutches of franchise fatigue involve its transition from a standard action-adventure format to a more RPG-esque take of the series, while smaller experiments such as Assassin's Creed Unity's combat system have been sprinkled throughout. Now, many are looking at the next game (unofficially called Assassin's Creed Ragnarok by fans) and wondering how a game set in the Viking Era will shake things up.
It seems that, to move forward, Assassin's Creed Ragnarok is looking back at Origins as a way of moving forward. There's no doubt that Assassin's Creed Odyssey became an epic befitting of its name, but it is also a black sheep in the franchise. Not only does the Assassin vs. Templar conflict in the past matter little (though it is emerging at this time), but it skips out on some franchise mainstays like the Hidden Blade. In lieu of the iconic Assassin weapon, the non-assassin Alexios or Kassandra instead use the Spear of Leonidas, all in the point of setting up more information on the "Tainted Ones" and the motives of the Isu.
By all accounts and in all likelihood, the Isu will continue to appear in Assassin's Creed Ragnarok as gods like Thor and Odin, but at the very least, it seems that the combat system will be more derived of Assassin's Creed Origins than it will Odyssey. As aforementioned and much like Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a black sheep. And this may not be the return to form some fans of the franchise want, it is suggestive, at least, of a return to the Assassin vs. Templar Conflict.
Assassin's Creed Origins Combat in Assassin's Creed Ragnarok
All rumors and leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, as the latest Assassin's Creed Ragnarok rumor details the protagonist, weapons, reveal date, and more, yet manages to declare many other rumors and leaks false in the process. It's not hard to throw a dart at a board of rumors and hit one that is false, but that doesn't mean this latest being the dart makes it true. Still, it paints a pretty picture by stating that the protagonist of Assassin's Creed Ragnarok will wield a Hidden Blade and a shield.
This may seem like a small detail, but in the greater context of the Viking Era, it means a lot. For one, the return of the Hidden Blade perhaps means more natural Assassin gameplay features like leaping into and hiding in a bale of hay. It also means that, while Ragnarok may not feature a traditional Brotherhood and Hidden Ones instead, the assassin identity is very much back in Assassin's Creed Ragnarok. Secondly, the shield is not only befitting of a Viking to wield, but Assassin's Creed Origins was notable for its weapon system and unique for its inclusion of the shield.
This would suggest similar mechanics but more so it would suggest a more direct combat method. Vikings are warriors and there are even rumors of a Berserker Mode, so using a standard weapon alongside a shield with the option of a Hidden Blade for stealth is about as Assassin-oriented as a game in this time period could be. Furthermore, Origins and Odyssey both feature a hitbox-style combat system that's a far cry from older AC games, but it's notable that Origins was more intensive, at least in melee combat. The hitboxes were done well and were finely attuned to its combat system, thereby suggesting that AC: Ragnarok will also be a game more of skill than just picking a target.
All of this is to suggest that the combat in AC: Ragnarok is more like Origins because its mechanics, at least in terms of weapon choice thus far, are indicative of that of Origins, not Odyssey. The latter strayed from the path, and while that didn't make it a worse game, it made it an outlier in the Assassin's Creed franchise timeline. There's nothing wrong with that, but something more akin to Origins is likely to be more well received, at least as far as this design decision is concerned. Elements from both will naturally be drawn, but this still-obscure combat system already sounds appealing.
Assassin's Creed 2020 is in development.
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