Assassin’s Creed Ragnarokis rumored to be the next entry in the long-running Ubisoft franchise, and as the inheritor of a massive lore and history, there are quite a few answers to be expected. It’s worth highlighting the fact that, after several games having nameless protagonists,Assassin’s Creed Originsbegan a new modern day story through the protagonist Layla Hassan. Now, Layla has seen the lives ofAlexios/Kassandraand Bayek, and she has inherited the Staff of Hermes.
Despite these developments in her character, the modern-day storyline hasn’t really painted the broad picture befitting that of theAssassin’s Creed Ragnarok. It seems that an apocalyptic event, not unlike the Second Disaster Desmond Miles prevents inAssassin’s Creed 3, is on the horizon, but first there are a few questions the title must answer.
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Is Otso Berg’s Role Bigger Than it Seems?
Given the life and background of Otso Berg in conjunction with his injury at the end of theFate of Atlantis DLC, it stands to reason that he may play a big role in the next game. Otso Berg has Viking ancestors, bears viking symbolism, has worn attired not unlike Shay Cormac’s (whose ancestors are from roughly a similar region), and has seemingly been captured by the modern-day assassins leading intoAssassin’s Creed Ragnarok.
It would be interesting to see if Berg’s DNA is what leads to the exploration of the Viking era, if he is simply a prisoner of the Assassins, or if he is vital to bringing Layla back from her potential corruption, detailed below. There would be some poetic irony if Berg followed Cormac’s path inverse, meaning he could somehow end up siding with the Assassins, of course depending on the events of the game. Either way, right nowBerg’s fate inAssassin’s Creed Ragnarokis a big question mark.
What’s the Rumored Ragnarok Subtitle Mean?
Subtitles inAssassin’s Creedhave always played a major role, as they usually related to both the past events and modern day events. It even played a role as the series transitioned from a numbered amount of sequels to a series of subtitled games. For example,Assassin’s Creed Brotherhoodhelped literally establish the brotherhood of Ezio’s day, but also saw Desmond becoming more involved with his modern-day Assassins.Revelationseven set both Ezioand Desmond on the path to the Second Disaster inAC3.
Another good example isAssassin’s Creed Rogue, which saw both the modern-day character (unnamed) and Shay Cormac turn Templar. This has even carried over to the latest, more tightly-knit uniformity of the latest games.Originswas literally the founding of the Hidden Ones who would become the brotherhood, and Layla’s origin into the modern story of Assassins.Odysseywas a massive journey of growth for Alexios/Kassandra, as well as Layla, albeit potentially in different directions.
This could suggest a connection between the past and modern events based on a concept of Ragnarok. Perhaps the Viking will be learning more about this event, while Layla actively works to stop it. Notably, though, it’s strange that the Second Disaster was set up across several games, and there’s been no mention of a “Ragnarok-like” event currently building. Presumably, though, it ties to the Staff, which certainly has a colored history.
What’s Going on with Layla and the Staff?
During the “true"ending ofAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, Kassandra/Alexios hands the Staff of Hermes to Layla. It’s revealed that they were to hold the staff and keep it safe for the Heir of Memories, who reportedly turns out to be Layla. This title makes sense in that Layla is literally inheriting memories from others, but the Fate of Atlantis DLC reveals a small twist of fate: if the holder of the staff cannot master its power, it can corrupt them somehow.
This is seen in Layla’s actions at the end of the game, where she seriously wounds Otso Bergs and kills her ally, Victoria Bibeau. Interestingly enough, it likely means that players will continue to struggle with the Staff inAssassin’s Creed Ragnarok, which, combined with the events of the past andpresentAssassin’s Creedstoryline, could spell disaster. Perhaps this is the answer to the aforementioned question: could Layla and the Staff inadvertently begin a modern-day Ragnarok? But that’s not the only factor at play here.
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Will It Bring Desmond’s Son and the Koh-i-Noor into Play?
For those who haven’t kept up with theAssassin’s Creedcomic books, it may come as a bit of a surprise as the original antagonist, Juno, has been dealt with. This may seem like a lackluster ending to a driving force in the early Assassin’s Creed games, but it does showcase two important things: Desmond’s Son, Elijah, and the Koh-i-Noor. Elijah is revealed or mentioned in a couple of games after Desmond’s death, but his role here is key to Juno’s defeat.
Afterward, he disappears with the Koh-i-Noor, which is perhaps the strongestPiece of Edenof them all. Not only can it track and locate other Pieces, but it is capable of “binding their fates.” It’s been hinted that this could play a big role at some point in the future, and the Koh-i-Noor binding the corrupt Staff with the Swords, Apples, and other Pieces of Eden certainly fits the apocalyptic vibe. After all, with the Koh-i-Noor, it would be relatively simple for Elijah to find Layla for what would almost certainly be an explosive relationship to develop in the next game.
Where is Japan for Assassin’s Creed?
Potentially unrelated to the game’s overall story, it’s worth mentioning thatAssassin’s Creedkeeps avoiding its best setting and time period: the oft-requested Japanese samurai setting. Notably, Egypt and Greece (the locations of the past two games) were originally teased in-game alongside a Japanese image, likely suggesting that it would accompany them as a trilogy of sorts. Instead, all rumors point to Vikings now.
This could be in number of reasons, ranging from the direction of the overarching story to the current saturation of samurai-based games on the market. Nonetheless, that doesn’t rule it out completely, and given that Ubisoft has a tendency to tease locations in its various IPs, it would make sense for Ubisoft to keep the hope alive by once again teasing a Japan setting.
All things considered, fans will want to wait and see where the franchise goes and what gets officially revealed, but it seems that another successfulACgame would be big for Ubisoft. In fact,Assassin’s Creed Ragnarokcould make 2020 big for Ubisoft, following a less-than-ideal 2019.
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