PREVIEW – After bringing feudal Japan to life in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft is prepping something far more sinister. The next chapter, codenamed Hexe, is shaping up to be the franchise’s darkest turn yet — and if you’re easily spooked, you might want to sit this one out. With witchcraft at its core and a promise to break away from the bloated RPG format, this game could redefine what Assassin’s Creed can be.

Fans have been dreaming of a Japan-set Assassin’s Creed for years, and with Shadows finally answering that call, Ubisoft is already setting the stage for what comes next. While players are still buzzing about the dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, eyes are now drifting toward the franchise’s next mysterious project. Hexe — still veiled in secrecy — is rumored to be a bold departure from the series’ usual formula. From the little we’ve seen and heard, Ubisoft isn’t just switching gears. They’re flipping the table.

Originally teased back in 2022 alongside what would become Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Hexe was part of a roadmap revealing Ubisoft’s long-term vision for the brand. And while it’s been radio silence ever since, the few cryptic crumbs we got suggest something truly twisted is brewing. A brief teaser featured a crude Assassin’s insignia made of twigs, a mysterious pentagram, and a haunting tone that immediately set it apart from previous titles. Woven into it all? The unmistakable presence of the Brotherhood — but darker, more arcane, and potentially more dangerous than ever before.

Executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté only added fuel to the fire when he described the teaser as “packed with secrets.” That was all the community needed. Within hours, fans were poring over every frame, hunting for clues in the shadows.

What’s in a Name? Everything, Apparently

YouTube channel Access The Animus wasted no time breaking down the teaser’s strange symbology. Their analysis revealed that the eerie markings on the pentagram were taken from the 17th-century Alphabet of the Magi — an occult script designed to convert modern letters into mystical symbols. With that key in hand, the community quickly translated the runes hidden in the design.

Encircling the pentagram was a familiar phrase that needs no introduction for longtime fans: “We work in the dark to serve the light.” But inside the circle? Names with chilling implications. “Mephisto,” a demon from Germanic myth. “Rache,” German for revenge. “Hwsa” or “Husa,” a Proto-Germanic word for “house.” And, of course, “Hexe” — the German word for “witch.” It’s a clear signal: Ubisoft isn’t just flirting with dark themes — they’re diving headfirst into them.

Forget Infinity. This Is Horrorfinity.

So what exactly is Hexe? As part of Ubisoft’s Infinity platform — a central hub for future Assassin’s Creed experiences — it aims to provide something fresh, focused, and wildly different. Côté told IGN the new structure allows the team to build “experiences of different scopes,” and more pointedly added, “Not everything needs to be a 150-hour RPG, right?”

Clint Hocking, best known for directing Watch Dogs: Legion, raised eyebrows back in April 2024 when he teased that Hexe was “not for the faint of heart.” He made it clear: “If you’re easily scared, maybe skip this one. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever done in the series.” A follow-up leak from Insider Gaming confirmed that the game will ditch the open-world sprawl of Odyssey, Valhalla, and Shadows in favor of something far more focused.

According to reporter Tom Henderson, Hexe will lean into a tighter, more linear experience with open zones — similar in structure to Mirage, but even more contained. The story will reportedly center on a single protagonist named Elsa, who isn’t just an assassin but a witch in her own right. Among her abilities? Possessing a cat to slip past enemies undetected. Oh yes — we’re in new territory now. The game is also said to feature a “fear system” reminiscent of the Jack the Ripper DLC from Syndicate, dialing up the dread factor like never before in the franchise.

Witch Hunts, Next-Gen Edition

There’s still a lot we don’t know about Hexe, but the signals so far are loud and clear: Ubisoft is plotting a bold shift. Of course, there’s always the chance the concept evolves or even changes direction entirely — especially now that Ubisoft’s biggest IPs, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, are being managed by a new internal division. And that shake-up has some fans wondering what other surprises might be in store.

Whatever happens, Hexe has already made a strong first impression. The concept of a fear-infused, witchcraft-driven Assassin’s Creed set in a dark and oppressive world is unlike anything we’ve seen in the series before. And that’s exactly why it could be one of the most exciting entries yet.

–Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-