The Assassin's Creed series has captivated gamers for years, thrusting them into the hidden history of humanity. But beyond the thrilling parkour and blade-wielding action lies a complex narrative spanning millennia. Let's delve into the Animus and dissect the age-old conflict that defines this franchise.

The Templar-Assassin Rivalry: A Clash of Ideals

At the heart of Assassin's Creed lies the centuries-long struggle between two secret societies: the Assassins and the Templars. The Assassins, champions of free will, believe humanity thrives through unfettered choice. The Templars, on the other hand, seek order through control, convinced humanity needs guidance to avert chaos (Menon, 2015). This ideological clash fuels the narrative, pushing players through historical periods like the Third Crusade and Renaissance Italy.

Beyond the Hidden Blades: Pieces of Eden and the Isu

The conflict escalates with the discovery of Pieces of Eden. These mysterious artifacts, scattered throughout history, possess incredible power and are believed to be remnants of a technologically advanced, pre-human race known as the Isu (Casey, 2021). Both Assassins and Templars covet these Pieces for their own agendas, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the historical setting.

Desmond Miles: A Modern-Day Assassin

The present-day narrative introduces Desmond Miles, a seemingly ordinary bartender. Abstergo Industries, a Templar front, kidnaps Desmond, revealing a shocking truth: he's a descendant of a long line of Assassins. Abstergo utilizes the Animus, a machine that allows users to relive genetic memories, forcing Desmond to relive the experiences of his ancestors like Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad from the Third Crusade. This dual narrative structure – historical and modern – becomes a signature element of the series (Santos, 2022). 

Unraveling the Conspiracy: More Than Just Assassinations

While assassinations are a core gameplay mechanic, the plot goes deeper. Players uncover conspiracies, forge alliances, and witness pivotal historical events through their ancestor's eyes. You might infiltrate the Tower of London during the Gunpowder Plot or influence the outcome of the American Revolution, all while unraveling the Templars' sinister plans (Abstergo Industries, n.d.).

Beyond the Main Story: A Universe of Hidden Lore

The Assassin's Creed universe extends beyond the main storyline. Codex entries, hidden messages, and environmental details offer a wealth of lore. You might decipher ancient texts detailing the Isu's fall from grace or discover connections between seemingly disparate historical figures, enriching the overall narrative tapestry (Haan, 2016). 

A Legacy of Hidden Blades and Historical Exploration

The Assassin's Creed series isn't just about swordplay; it's about historical exploration and questioning established narratives (Santos, 2022). By weaving fiction with historical fact, the games encourage players to delve deeper into the past. Whether it's the Crusades or the Florentine Renaissance, Assassin's Creed offers a unique lens through which to view the past.

References

Abstergo Industries. (n.d.). Assassin's Creed Wiki. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://assassinscreed.fandom.com/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed_Wiki

Assassin's Creed Wiki. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://assassinscreed.fandom.com/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed_Wiki   Assassin's Creed. Wikipedia. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed

Casey, C. (2021). Assassin’s Creed Origins: Video games as time machines. Near Eastern Archaeology, 84(1), 71-78. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/713365

Haan, J. D. (2016). Novel versus Game: Players experiencing Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance (Bachelor's thesis). https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/23260

Menon, L. (2015). History first-hand: Memory, the player and the video game narrative in the Assassin’s Creed games. Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 7(1), 108-113. https://www.rupkatha.com/V7/n1/12_Assassins_Creed_Games.pdf

Santos, N. (2022). Assassins and the Creed: A look at the Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft, and women in the video games industry. Women in Historical and Archaeological Video Games, 9, 25.