Vicky Jessop, a self-confessed latecomer to the Assassin's Creed franchise, reveals why the series has become her all-time favorite, coinciding with the upcoming release of the Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced remake this month. Despite missing the early hits like Assassin's Creed 2 and its spin-offs, she was drawn in during lockdown after buying Assassin's Creed Odyssey on a whim, ultimately spending over 100 hours on her first playthrough.
How Lockdown Sparked a Passion
During the pandemic, Jessop found herself with ample time and decided to try Assassin's Creed Odyssey after seeing advertisements featuring Ancient Greece and mythical battles. She recalls, "The prospect of adventuring through Ancient Greece and battling everything from the Minotaur to my secret evil brother was too much fun to pass up." The game's stellar graphics, expansive open world, and meaningful player choices hooked her instantly. The female protagonist, Kassandra, with her signature Sparta kick, became a standout feature.
Exploring the Franchise's Depth
After Odyssey, Jessop revisited earlier titles, starting with Assassin's Creed Origins, which she found almost as compelling. The fluid combat, deep lore, and central story of Bayek and Aya—who found the original Assassin's guild—impressed her. Despite some missteps like the 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender and Assassin's Creed Rogue, the franchise has consistently rewarded her investment. She praises the flexibility in gameplay, noting that players can choose between brute force and stealth, using tools like smoke bombs and sleeping darts to infiltrate castles without bloodshed.
Historical Authenticity and Immersion
Jessop highlights the series' ability to bring history to life vividly. Walking through Florence in Assassin's Creed 2 felt strikingly accurate, as she later discovered when visiting the Duomo in person. Similarly, exploring Baghdad in Assassin's Creed Mirage immersed her in a detailed historical setting. She states, "I can't think of any other games franchise that has brought the past to life as vividly and consistently as Assassin's Creed." The lore involving aliens and ancestor memories via super-technology is secondary to the historical fantasy experience.
Anticipation for Black Flag Resynced
The upcoming Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced remake excites Jessop, as the original Black Flag set a high standard with its pirate theme, naval combat, and encounters with historical figures like Anne Bonny and Blackbeard. She notes, "More than a decade after its release, the game still holds up but the chance to play a version that's revamped for modern consoles feels indisputably exciting." With 13 other games available and more on the horizon, she encourages newcomers to give the series a try, predicting they will become hooked as she did.
