1. The Paradigm Shift: Goodbye Heroism, Hello Darkness
Veterans of the franchise have long complained that the series has lost its identity. Valhalla was a Viking power fantasy; Odyssey was a Greek demigod simulator. The feeling of being a "blade in the crowd" was lost. However, Project Hexe promises not just a return to roots, but a complete tonal reinvention.
From "Epic Fantasy" to "Folk Horror"
Marc-Alexis Côté, the franchise's executive producer, has officially stated that Hexe will be "a very different type of Assassin’s Creed game." The teaser trailer alone set a chilling tone: the Assassin insignia, constructed from dry twigs and twine, hanging ominously in a dark, misty forest. This is the imagery of Folk Horror (think movies like The Witch or Midsommar).
In previous games, you played as a warrior, a medjay, or a pirate—figures of power. In Hexe, leaks suggest you will play as an outcast. The narrative is expected to shift from "liberating a nation" to "surviving a purge." You are not the hunter; initially, you are the prey.
2. The Setting: The Holy Roman Empire & The Pyres
The game is set in the 16th Century Holy Roman Empire (modern-day Germany), specifically between 1550 and 1600. To understand the potential of this setting, we must look at the real history.
Historical Context: The Würzburg Witch Trials
This era was one of the darkest chapters in human history. It was the height of the Witch Trials. Mass hysteria swept through Germany. Neighbors accused neighbors of consorting with the Devil.
Historically, the Würzburg witch trials (1626–1631) saw hundreds of people burned at the stake. Ubisoft loves to weave fiction into history. It is highly probable that the "Templars" in this game are high-ranking Inquisitors using the fear of "Witches" to control the population and hunt down anyone with Isu DNA (whom they label as witches).
Atmosphere: Fog, Rain, and Paranoia
Forget the sunny beaches of Greece. Hexe will likely feature dense, claustrophobic environments. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) provides the perfect backdrop for a game focused on stealth and terror. The atmosphere will be heavy with rain, mud, and the glow of burning pyres in the distance. This setting demands a graphics engine capable of handling complex volumetric fog and dynamic lighting—something the current generation consoles are finally ready for.
3. Meet Elsa: Not Your Typical Assassin
According to leaks, the protagonist is a female character named Elsa. But she is not Eivor or Kassandra.
The "Witch" Archetype vs. Isu Technology
Elsa is rumored to possess supernatural abilities. In the lore of Assassin’s Creed, "Magic" is usually just misunderstood Isu Technology (Pieces of Eden). However, Hexe seems to be leaning into the supernatural presentation of these powers.
The locals call her a witch. The Templars want to burn her. But perhaps she is simply a descendant of the Isu with high concentrations of Precursor DNA, allowing her to manipulate minds or matter without a Staff of Hermes.
Gameplay Mechanic: Possession (The Cat Theory)
One of the most specific gameplay details leaked by insider Tom Henderson is a Possession Mechanic.
The player can reportedly transfer their consciousness into a cat.
Why a cat? In medieval folklore, cats (familiars) were believed to be spies for witches.
Tactical Application: Imagine controlling a cat to slip through the bars of a dungeon, eavesdrop on Inquisitors, knock over a bottle to create a distraction, and then snap back to Elsa’s body to execute a kill. This opens up incredible possibilities for "True Stealth" that the series has lacked for years.
4. Gameplay Evolution: The Return of Linearity
If you are tired of the 100-hour bloat of Valhalla, Hexe is the answer to your prayers. It is not an RPG.
Quality Over Quantity
Hexe is described as having a more linear structure, similar to the classic Assassin’s Creed games or modern titles like God of War (2018).
This means no massive, empty open world filled with repetitive fetch quests. Instead, we get wide-linear levels: curated sandboxes that allow for player agency but drive a tight narrative. This shift allows developers to hand-craft every encounter, making the horror elements more effective. You can't have a scary moment if the player can just ride a horse 5km in the opposite direction.
The "Fear System": Becoming the Monster
The most exciting rumor is the implementation of a Fear System, inspired by the "Jack the Ripper" DLC from AC Syndicate.
Since Elsa is feared as a witch, she should use that terror as a weapon.
– Hallucinogens: Use poisons to make enemies see demons.
– Psychological Warfare: Hang bodies from trees or extinguish lights to make guards panic.
– The Result: When enemies are terrified, they might drop their weapons, flee, or even fire blindly at their allies. In Hexe, YOU are the monster in the dark.
5. Engine & Platform: The Infinity Hub Era
It is important to remember that Hexe will launch as part of the Assassin’s Creed Infinity platform.
This "Hub" approach allows Ubisoft to separate the Modern Day storyline from the historical games. This is great news for Hexe. It means the game can stay fully immersed in the 16th Century without jarring interruptions where you wake up in an office building in 2026. Hexe can be a pure, standalone horror experience.
6. Release Window & Final Verdict
Project Hexe is currently in development at Ubisoft Montreal, the flagship studio behind Black Flag and Origins. With Assassin’s Creed Red (Feudal Japan) slated for late 2024/early 2025, analysts predict a 2026 release date for Hexe.
Conclusion
Project Hexe is Ubisoft's biggest gamble in a decade. It is a departure from the "Action RPG" formula that made them billions, in favor of a tighter, darker, narrative-driven experience.
If they succeed, Hexe could be the Resident Evil 4 of the franchise—a reinvention that defines the next generation. If they fail, it will be just another experiment. But one thing is certain: The Creed is changing.
Commander, are you ready to burn?
We expect the first full gameplay reveal at Ubisoft Forward in Summer 2025. Until then, watch out for black cats crossing your path.