RJ Writing Ink

So, if you’ve seen my channel, then you know that I’m a big fan of the Assassin’s Creed franchise by Ubisoft. Or rather, I was. Around the time I finished Origins, I could feel my interest in the series start to slip away. I blame it on the lack of a cohesive, overarching plot. So, when Odyssey came out, I got it, but never played it. Ironically, given that I love Greek mythology.

Try as I might, though, I can’t resist the siren song of a franchise that has the whole of human history as its playground. So, when word came out that Ubisoft was going to release the first trailer for the next game, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, my curiosity won out.

As many people suspected, the next Assassin’s Creed will take place in the Viking era. To be more precise, it will take place in 9th century England, a period when the Vikings tried to set up shop in England. Based on the trailer, our main hero will be an Assassin fighting the Templars in England, which I can only assume will include King Alfred the Great. He has the cross on his crown, that’s a big hint.

Calculated Risk

Personally, I think Ubisoft is taking a big risk using the Vikings. There’s no denying that they were awesome: powerful warriors and master sailors who traveled farther than any European would do for centuries. They had a rich culture and mythology, the latter of which persists to this day in our culture. However, they also have a reputation as pirates and killers.

That said, I was impressed by how well the trailer tries to be nuanced with the Vikings. It refutes King Alfred’s statements of the Vikings being “godless heathens” who mindlessly kill and spoil the land with imagery showing otherwise. Then we get the part where we see them as the badass warriors we remember them as. In other words, we’ll be seeing both sides in the game. As a history buff, I’d want nothing less.

Available this Holiday

The trailer says that Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla will be available holiday 2020. However, I doubt it will be that soon. The COVID-19 Pandemic has ground the world to a halt. Even if we have a vaccine by the fall, it will take everyone months to get up and running again. Either Ubisoft finished the game already, or they’re working on it remotely. Plus, how will people buy it besides digitally if the game stores are closed? There’s too many variables at this point.

I hope they get the game when they say they do, because this may be the time for me to get back into the series. I love Assassin’s Creed when it works and I hope to see more of it in the future. What do you guys think, though? Is this new game gonna be worth your time?

6 Things I’m Looking Forward to at E3 2019

My fellow gamers, the most important time of the year is upon us. The Electronics Entertainment Expo, or E3, begins next week. Of course, that’s only when its open to the public. The days before are what everyone pays attention to. It’s when gaming companies hold their press conferences and announce new games.

As a huge gamer myself, I will be looking at the E3 Press conferences very close. With that in mind, here are the six things that I’m looking forward to seeing at E3 2019. Did I mention that its the 25th E3?

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

After EA managed to burn Star Wars fans with the disaster that was Battlefront II, people were mad. Some even wanted Disney to take away the right to make Star Wars games. Yet despite this, EA is still making Star Wars games.

When Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was announced, I made a promise to myself that I would not pre-order the game. As big a Star Wars fan as I am, I may not buy it altogether if it looks bad.

That said, I’m willing to give EA a chance to redeem itself. Star Wars Jedi will likely get a lot of attention at EA’s press conference, so they have to make this count. If they don’t, I hope Disney takes away their Star Wars privileges.

The Redemption of Bethesda

I saw Bethesda’s reveal of Fallout 76 last year; I remember how few people clapped for it. Since then, faith in Bethesda’s taken a nose dive: Fallout 76 was a bad game, but failing to give the people who pre-ordered the canvas bags what they paid for? That’s wrong, plain and simple. I haven’t even played 76 since it came out.

I like Bethesda, I think they’re an amazing studio and they make some good games. It’s why I’m so disappointed in them. If they want to win back the trust of gamers, they need to pull out all the stops. I want to see more news on Wolfenstein: Youngblood, and I want to see a real Fallout game. I want to see Bethesda at their best!

Final Fantasy VII

For years now, Square Enix has been promising gamers a remake of the popular Final Fantasy VII. Yet, Square Enix has been very vague on details such as when its coming out, how long will it be, and more. Now that Kingdom Hearts III is out, I say that Square Enix has no more excuses to stall on the game. I want to see something about Final Fantasy VII.

I was too young to play the game when it first came out, but I have heard nothing but praise about it. Heck, I love Team Four Star’s abridged series for the game! I want to see some news about this.

Square Enix Avengers Game

Speaking of Square Enix, another game I’m looking forward is their Avengers project. Earlier this year, the company announced a multi-game deal with Marvel, leading to obviously high levels of hype. With love for superheroes and Marvel at an all-time high thanks to Avengers: Endgame, whatever they announce about this future game will be a highlight of E3.

I, for one, am going to look forward to seeing what happens.

The Next Assassin’s Creed Game

I’ve been a fan of Assassin’s Creed for years now. It speaks to both the gamer and the history geek inside of me, so it kills two birds with one stone. Then came the disappointment that was Assassin’s Creed: Unity. The perfect setting, the perfect setup, but they still failed. Since then my passion for the series has cooled. I haven’t even played my copy of Odyssey yet.

Ubisoft will likely be making an annoucement about the next AC game at their press conference this year. Having had my passion cool for the games in that time, this may end up being what decides if I stay with it or let it go. If I’m being honest, I don’t want it to take place in the Viking’s era that much.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem is still a thing in the west, right? Good, because I’ve loved the series since Fire Emblem: Awakening. Around a year or so ago, Nintendo announced that the next game in the series would be moving to the Nintendo Switch. Titled Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the game sees players become a teacher at an academy that teaches the next generation of leaders for the three dominant nations on your continent. That’s all I know about it, though.

The game’s coming out next month, and I intend to get it for the Switch. With the release date so close, I would be happy to see some more details to keep me satiated until then. Plus, I want to know if the romance mechanic is still in effect. Shippers need to have their fuel!

Agree with my picks? What are you looking forward to?