Original Assassin's Creed Creator Announces New Witch Game To Arrive Before AC's Witch Game

From the original Holy Land during the Third Crusade to Feudal Japan with Samurai, the Assassin's Creed franchise has taken us on a wild array of stunning settings and different themes.

The upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Hexe, will take a new twist in the series, moving slightly away from the true dagger-and-sheath vibes by adding in witchery and magic.

The codename Hexe title has already been divisive within the fan base, with many yearning for simpler times with Ezio and his famed hood.

So when Patrice Désilets, the creator of Assassin’s Creed, announced that he was working on his first game in seven years, there was hope and expectancy that it would be a reimagining of AC, filled with cloak-and-dagger stealth combat.

Well, it's sort of true.

His new game does replicate one Assassin's Creed game, as he announced that 1666 Amsterdam will be a witch-based, dark, story-led action adventure title, just like Hexe.

1666 Amsterdam Is Going Head-To-Head With Assassin's Creed Hexe

Featuring at Summer Game Fest, 1666 Amsterdam put itself back on the map, having been in the works for 13 years.

Désilets was originally working on the game back in 2013 until he was dismissed as Ubisoft bought the studios and decided to go in another direction.

But as Assassin's Creed enters its dark realm, Désilets and his new studio, Panache Digital Games, have pulled the trigger on the supernatural title.

Following a Handmaid's Tale-like protagonist through the streets of the Dutch capital, the powerful mage faces the difficult mission to sheath her witchcraft in the day, while uncovering the facade of other 'citizens' whose faces rarely tell the whole story.

Panache Digital Games

"Every 333 years, something stirs. Noa, the Collector, wields witchcraft to uncover demonic entities hiding behind human faces," reads the Steam description.

"Explore a handcrafted Amsterdam by day. At night, uncover what lies beneath its surface. Every facade carries a gablestone. Not all of them tell the truth."

Following the reveal at Summer Game Fest, 1666 Amsterdam launched a free Prologue demo on Steam, with a full release expected to arrive soon, undercutting its rival.

As for Assassin's Creed Hexe, its development continues to find new hurdles to jump over, as Ubisoft Creative Director Clint Hocking left his post at the company, leaving the title in a state of limbo.

Yet, Hexe does sound like a lot of fun if it does release. The last handful of AC games have explored unique settings through Black Flag and Shadows, and another new direction continues that fun.

I'm sure the franchise will return to its roots one day, as they tried with Mirage, but for now, it's time to enjoy the different approach.

Though if you can't wait for Hexe, there's a 1666 Amsterdam waiting in the Wishlist to steal your attention.