The future of theAssassin’s Creedfranchise is currently uncertain.Assassin’s Creed Infinityappears to be the next big step in the overarching story, while the open-world RPGs are going nowhere afterAssassin’s Creed Valhalla’s success. Yet, as Ubisoft doesn’t seem to have another open-world game waiting in the wings, it is reportedly adapting a would-beAssassin’s Creed ValhallaDLC into a full game, codenamedAssassin’s Creed Rift.
While it does remain to be seen what comes ofRift, it’s easy for classic fans to get excited. It features a bigger emphasis on stealth than the past open-worldAssassin’s CreedRPGs, as well as a smaller scope. Players will be stepping into the shoes of Basim, likely during hisBaghdad days, inAssassin’s Creed Rift. This leaves a lot of room for storytelling, especially in the time before Basim’s consciousness was overtaken by Loki. All of this, even if remotely true, means that Basim occupies an even more special position in the franchise, closer to Ezio than any other character.
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Assassin’s Creed Protagonists
Altair came before Ezio, but it was the suave Italian and his growth from newcomer to master that defined the franchise.No protagonist since has ever been able to live up to Ezio, especially since none got as much screentime as he did. Connor, Edward, Shay, Arno, Jacob and Evie Frye, Bayek, Kassandra/Alexios, and Eivor can’t hold a candle to him, no matter how big or expansive their games are. But Basim just might.
Technically, whenAssassin’s Creed Riftreleases, Basim will have significantly appeared in more games than any other Assassin besides Ezio and Altair. Basim is also playable at the end ofAssassin’s Creed Valhalla’s modern-day story, meaning he’d technically be playable in two games. It’s not quite the same, but as players grew to loveBasim inAssassin’s Creed Valhalla, it’s clear his modern-day story isn’t done either. Basim could reasonably appear as the playable character inAC Infinityor the next open-world RPG, well afterRiftcovers a completely different part of his life.
Assassin’s Creed Rift: Basim’s Future Role and Ezio’s Legacy
The thing is, it wouldn’t have to end there either. Basim’s background before his descent into madness as Loki is clearly an important story to tell, butclassic games like Assassin’s Creed Riftcould explore more of his character. His primary operations as a Hidden One included working in foreign nations on behalf of the Abbasid Caliphate; it’s why he joins Eivor and Sigurd on their journey “officially.” But, this implies he has been to other nations that could serve as a good basis to expand the journey of his past beyond justAssassin’s Creed Rift.
Already, technically, Basim picks up Ezio’s legacy by appearing as a playable character twice, but Ubisoft could take it further if Basim proves popular enough. While the recent games explore this character’s goals post-Loki, a series of classic action-adventure games could explore his past—bringing his past and future into play. That would be an excellent way to explore his story, as while he may be picking up Ezio’s legacy by appearing inAssassin’s Creed Rift, he could run away with it and keepAssassin’s Creedaction-adventure gameplayin the franchise (while still pushingInfinityand open-world RPGs at the same time).
