Ubisoft has taken an unexpected direction with Assassin’s Creed Shadows by largely abandoning the franchise’s foundational mythology – and oddly enough, it might actually be a smart move. Though the game delivers a strong experience overall, it stands out as one of the least connected to the series’ core narrative involving Assassins and Templars.

As noted in our review, Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a visually stunning open world and refined stealth mechanics that offer genuine innovation. But the story? It’s fragmented and struggles to maintain focus. The game juggles too many themes at once and never quite commits to any of them. While certain elements of the past storyline add intrigue, the deeper mythos that defines the franchise is notably absent – and for longtime fans, that’s a glaring omission.

What’s even more surprising is how little the game engages with its own lore. For years, the series has oscillated between embracing and sidelining its sci-fi narrative elements. In Shadows, those ties are nearly invisible. There’s little reference to the Isu or the modern-day plotlines that once anchored the series in something greater than history. And yet, that blend of science fiction and historical fiction was once what made Assassin’s Creed so distinctive.

The Assassin’s Creed audience keeps shifting

So why move away from that foundation? The answer likely lies in player demographics and market research. Ubisoft understands there’s a passionate core of fans who dig deep into the lore, follow the continuity, and craft elaborate theories. But they also know this group is a minority. Most players are simply looking for an immersive adventure – whether that involves pirates, ninjas, or samurai – rather than trying to keep up with a convoluted meta-narrative.

Even though each game sells millions of copies, player interest is highly dependent on setting. A fan might be drawn to Origins because of ancient Egypt or Black Flag for the naval combat, and then skip Syndicate or Valhalla due to lack of interest in Victorian London or Viking lore. Rarely is a purchase motivated by a desire to stay informed about the Assassins and Templars’ long-running conflict.

That once compelling overarching premise has quietly faded into the background.

A standalone format with little narrative continuity

In many ways, Assassin’s Creed has evolved into something more akin to an anthology series than a saga. Ubisoft appears to prefer that each game be accessible on its own terms, without requiring familiarity with earlier entries. Players who don’t know who Layla, Desmond, or Kassandra are won’t feel lost – and for many, that’s a welcome change. Some casual fans have even said they found it easier to engage with a story centered entirely on the character they’re controlling, rather than worrying about external lore. Even veteran players can acknowledge the practical benefits of this approach.

Still, there’s a sense of loss. What once made the franchise unique is slowly being eroded. For many fans, the narrative ended with Desmond. Since then, key developments have felt disconnected – even anticlimactic. One major antagonist wasn’t even given a proper resolution in the games themselves but was written out in a comic. And while recent entries have expanded the universe, they’ve done so by revisiting origin stories rather than advancing the present-day narrative toward closure.

Which raises a critical question: does the overarching story even matter anymore? The resolution of that ancient foe should’ve landed with the emotional weight of a Mass Effect finale – but outside of lore-focused fans, few even noticed. Ubisoft likely understands this and may be preparing for one of two futures: either a complete narrative reboot that sheds all prior continuity, or a model where deeper lore is relegated to expansions and DLC aimed at the most committed players. Either way, it’s striking to see a franchise treat its core identity less as a strength and more as an inconvenience.

Source: 3djuegos