Assassin’s Creed, a popular video game franchise known for its historical fiction and open-world exploration, has been a subject of debate among gamers and critics alike. While some argue that it belongs to the action-adventure genre, others claim that it has strong role-playing game (RPG) elements that make it an RPG at its core. This debate raises the question, “Is Assassin’s Creed an RPG?” In this article, we will explore the role-playing elements of Assassin’s Creed and evaluate its classification as an RPG. So, let’s dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed and discover the truth for ourselves.
What is an RPG?
Character progression
- Leveling up: In many RPGs, players progress through the game by earning experience points (XP) for completing quests, defeating enemies, or fulfilling specific objectives. As players accumulate XP, their characters level up, gaining access to new abilities, skills, or equipment. In Assassin’s Creed, players can also level up their characters by completing various activities and challenges, such as completing missions, exploring the world, or upgrading equipment.
- Skill trees: RPGs often feature skill trees, which are branching trees that represent the different abilities and skills that a character can learn. Players can choose which skills to unlock as they progress, customizing their characters to suit their preferred playstyle. Assassin’s Creed incorporates a similar system, allowing players to allocate skill points to various abilities, such as stealth, combat, or exploration.
- Equipment upgrades: Many RPGs include a system for upgrading equipment, such as weapons or armor, to improve a character’s effectiveness in combat or other activities. In Assassin’s Creed, players can upgrade their weapons and armor by finding or purchasing better-quality items, or by crafting new equipment using resources collected throughout the game world. These upgrades can significantly impact a player’s ability to succeed in the game, making them an essential aspect of character progression.
Story and character development
Dialogue choices
One of the key elements of role-playing games is the ability for players to make choices that affect the story and the characters involved. In Assassin’s Creed, players are often presented with dialogue choices that can alter the course of the story or affect their relationships with other characters. These choices can range from simple decisions like whether to help a fellow character or to ignore them, to more significant choices that can have major consequences later in the game. By allowing players to make these choices, Assassin’s Creed creates a sense of agency and involvement in the story, which is a key aspect of role-playing games.
Morality systems
Another important element of role-playing games is the morality system, which dictates how the player’s actions affect the world around them. In Assassin’s Creed, players are often presented with choices that have moral implications, such as whether to kill or spare an enemy. The game’s morality system takes into account the player’s choices and assigns them a rating based on their actions. This rating can affect the game’s story and the relationships the player has with other characters, adding an extra layer of depth to the game’s role-playing elements.
Multiple endings
Finally, one of the defining features of role-playing games is the ability to have multiple endings based on the player’s choices. Assassin’s Creed includes multiple endings for its story, with each ending depending on the player’s actions throughout the game. These endings can range from a peaceful resolution to a dramatic showdown, and the player’s choices determine which ending they will ultimately receive. This adds a sense of replayability to the game, as players can experiment with different choices to see how it affects the story and the ending they receive.
World exploration and interaction
Assassin’s Creed is a popular action-adventure game series that has gained a significant following due to its immersive world, engaging storyline, and exciting gameplay mechanics. However, there is ongoing debate about whether the series should be classified as a role-playing game (RPG). This article will explore the role-playing elements of Assassin’s Creed and examine whether it meets the criteria for classification as an RPG.
One of the key elements of an RPG is the ability to explore a game world. In Assassin’s Creed, players are given the opportunity to explore a vast, open-world environment. The game’s world is meticulously designed, with intricate details and a rich history that make it feel like a living, breathing world. Players can interact with the environment in a variety of ways, such as scaling buildings, running along rooftops, and even swimming in the game’s various bodies of water.
In addition to exploring the world, Assassin’s Creed also offers a wide range of quests and side missions that players can undertake. These quests and missions often involve interacting with non-playable characters (NPCs), who have their own unique personalities and motivations. Players can choose to complete these quests in any order they desire, adding to the game’s sense of freedom and player agency.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed offers a highly immersive and interactive world that is similar to many RPGs. Its world design, quests, and NPC interactions all contribute to the game’s role-playing elements, making it a strong contender for classification as an RPG.
The RPG elements in Assassin’s Creed
In Assassin’s Creed, character progression refers to the ways in which the player’s character grows and develops over the course of the game. This development is a key element of the RPG genre, as it allows players to invest in their characters and see them grow and change over time. In Assassin’s Creed, character progression is achieved through a combination of leveling up, skill trees, and equipment upgrades.
Leveling up
As the player progresses through the game, their character will gain experience points (XP) for completing various tasks and defeating enemies. Once the player has accumulated enough XP, their character will level up, granting them access to new abilities and improving their existing ones. For example, as the player progresses through the game, they may unlock new combat moves or abilities that allow them to traverse the game world more easily.
Skill trees
In addition to leveling up, Assassin’s Creed features skill trees that allow players to further customize their character’s abilities. Each skill tree is divided into branches that represent different abilities or upgrades, and players can choose which skills to upgrade as they progress through the game. For example, players may choose to upgrade their character’s stealth abilities, allowing them to move more quietly and take down enemies more easily. Alternatively, they may choose to upgrade their combat abilities, making their character more effective in hand-to-hand combat.
Equipment upgrades
Finally, Assassin’s Creed allows players to upgrade their character’s equipment, such as weapons and armor. Upgrades can be purchased using in-game currency or found throughout the game world. Equipment upgrades can significantly improve a character’s abilities, such as increasing their damage output or providing additional protection. For example, a player may choose to upgrade their character’s hidden blade, allowing them to kill enemies more quickly and silently.
Overall, the character progression system in Assassin’s Creed is a key element of its RPG elements. By allowing players to customize their character’s abilities and improve their equipment, the game provides a sense of progression and investment in the player’s character. However, some may argue that the extent to which these RPG elements are present in Assassin’s Creed is debatable, and that the game is better classified as an action-adventure game rather than an RPG.
Assassin’s Creed is renowned for its intricate storylines and well-developed characters. This section will delve into the specific role-playing elements of the game that contribute to its story and character development.
One of the key RPG elements in Assassin’s Creed is the ability to make dialogue choices. Players are presented with a range of options when interacting with non-playable characters (NPCs), which can impact the story and the relationships between characters. These choices can lead to different outcomes, including new quests, alliances, and even endings. This adds a layer of depth to the game and allows players to tailor their experience to their own preferences.
Assassin’s Creed also features a morality system that affects the player’s character and the story. The player’s actions and choices can result in a reputation for either good or evil. This can impact the relationships with other characters and the events that unfold in the story. For example, a player with a good reputation may be granted access to additional quests or areas, while a player with an evil reputation may face challenges and obstacles. This adds a sense of consequence to the player’s actions and encourages them to consider the impact of their choices.
Finally, Assassin’s Creed offers multiple endings depending on the player’s choices throughout the game. This creates a sense of replayability and encourages players to explore different paths and make different choices to see how it affects the story. The endings can vary significantly, from a peaceful resolution to a dramatic showdown, and can impact the player’s understanding of the game’s story and characters. This adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the game, as players strive to uncover all the possible endings.
Overall, the story and character development in Assassin’s Creed are heavily influenced by the RPG elements of dialogue choices, morality systems, and multiple endings. These elements contribute to a rich and immersive gaming experience that encourages players to engage with the game world and make meaningful choices that impact the story.
Assassin’s Creed is renowned for its open-world design, which allows players to freely explore the game’s environments. This aspect of the game contributes significantly to its RPG elements, as it provides a vast and immersive environment for players to interact with. The world is filled with a diverse range of characters, including NPCs, who play a crucial role in shaping the game’s narrative and providing players with quests and side missions.
One of the primary ways in which players interact with the world is through the completion of quests and side missions. These tasks often involve exploring different areas of the game’s environment, and they may involve a variety of objectives, such as gathering items, eliminating targets, or assisting NPCs. As players progress through the game, they will encounter a wide range of characters, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. This adds depth and richness to the game’s world, making it feel more alive and dynamic.
Another key aspect of world exploration in Assassin’s Creed is the ability to interact with NPCs. Players can engage in dialogue with NPCs, learn about their backstories, and form relationships with them. This can have a significant impact on the game’s narrative, as well as providing players with valuable information and resources. For example, players may be able to persuade an NPC to reveal hidden secrets or provide them with access to new areas of the game’s world.
In addition to quests and side missions, the game’s world is also filled with a variety of activities and events that players can participate in. These may include races, assassinations, and other challenges, which provide players with additional ways to interact with the game’s environment and characters. By engaging in these activities, players can earn rewards and experience points, which can be used to upgrade their character’s abilities and progress through the game.
Overall, the world exploration and interaction elements of Assassin’s Creed play a significant role in its RPG classification. The game’s open-world design, diverse cast of characters, and range of activities and events provide players with a rich and immersive environment in which to explore and interact with the game’s world. By engaging with NPCs and completing quests and side missions, players can shape the game’s narrative and progress through the game, making it a true RPG experience.
Combat mechanics
In Assassin’s Creed, the combat mechanics play a crucial role in the gameplay, providing the player with various options to defeat enemies. The combat system in Assassin’s Creed is designed to be fluid and dynamic, allowing players to seamlessly transition between offensive and defensive strategies.
One of the key aspects of combat in Assassin’s Creed is countering enemies. Players can use their knowledge of enemy attack patterns to anticipate and counter their moves, resulting in devastating counterattacks. This adds a layer of strategy to the game, as players must pay close attention to their opponents’ movements and timing to execute successful counters.
Stealth kills are another important aspect of combat in Assassin’s Creed. Players can use stealth to take down enemies silently, without alerting other guards in the area. This allows players to progress through the game undetected, avoiding difficult fights and accessing hidden areas.
Special abilities also play a significant role in combat mechanics. Players can unlock and upgrade various abilities throughout the game, such as enhanced stealth, increased damage, or improved defense. These abilities add depth to the gameplay, allowing players to customize their character’s abilities to suit their preferred playstyle.
Overall, the combat mechanics in Assassin’s Creed are designed to provide players with a wide range of options for defeating enemies, from stealthy takedowns to all-out warfare. The fluid and dynamic nature of the combat system adds to the overall RPG experience, providing players with a sense of agency and control over their character’s actions.
Crafting and loot system
Resource gathering
In Assassin’s Creed, players can gather resources such as wood, metal, and leather to craft weapons and armor. These resources can be found throughout the game world, often by exploring the environment and completing various tasks.
Crafting and upgrading equipment
Players can use the resources they gather to craft new weapons and armor or upgrade existing equipment. The crafting system allows players to customize their character’s appearance and abilities, adding depth to the gameplay.
Loot drops
Players can also obtain loot drops from defeated enemies, which can include weapons, armor, and other items. The rarity of the loot drops adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to the game, as players never know what they might find.
Overall, the crafting and loot system in Assassin’s Creed adds an RPG-like element to the game, allowing players to collect and use items to customize their character and enhance their gameplay experience.
Influence of player choice
In Assassin’s Creed, player choice plays a significant role in shaping the story and world. Throughout the game, players are presented with various options that affect the outcome of the story and the world around them. These choices can range from simple dialogue options to major decisions that alter the course of the game.
One of the most significant ways in which player choice influences the game is through the unique gameplay experiences that it offers. Players can choose to approach missions and objectives in different ways, such as stealthily avoiding conflict or engaging in direct combat. These choices can result in different outcomes, adding replayability to the game and providing players with a sense of agency.
Moreover, Assassin’s Creed offers multiple endings, which are influenced by the choices that players make throughout the game. Depending on the choices that players make, they may encounter different endings, each with its own unique story and conclusion. This adds a layer of depth to the game and encourages players to explore different paths and make different choices to see how they impact the game’s story.
Overall, the influence of player choice in Assassin’s Creed is a significant aspect of the game’s RPG elements. By providing players with a sense of agency and allowing them to shape the story and world around them, Assassin’s Creed offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that is characteristic of the RPG genre.
Why Assassin’s Creed is not considered an RPG
Lack of party-based gameplay
Assassin’s Creed, despite having some role-playing elements, is not considered an RPG due to its lack of party-based gameplay. Here are some reasons why:
- No party members or companions
In Assassin’s Creed, the player does not have the ability to recruit or control party members or companions. Unlike other RPGs, where the player can choose party members with different abilities and strengths, Assassin’s Creed has no such feature. The player only controls the main character, who is the assassin, and cannot control any other characters in the game. - No turn-based or real-time combat
Another reason why Assassin’s Creed is not considered an RPG is because of its combat system. In most RPGs, combat is turn-based or real-time with a party of characters. However, in Assassin’s Creed, combat is focused on the main character and is real-time. The player does not have the option to control multiple characters in combat, and the game does not have a party system. The lack of a party-based combat system is a significant difference between Assassin’s Creed and other RPGs.
Limited player choice
Scripted story events
One of the primary reasons that Assassin’s Creed is not considered an RPG is due to its scripted story events. Unlike traditional RPGs, Assassin’s Creed has a predetermined storyline that players must follow. This means that players have little control over the narrative direction of the game, and their choices are limited to predetermined options. This lack of player agency takes away from the role-playing experience, as players are not able to shape the world around them in a meaningful way.
Limited dialogue options
Another factor that contributes to the limited player choice in Assassin’s Creed is the limited dialogue options available to players. In many RPGs, players are able to engage in lengthy conversations with NPCs, choosing from a variety of options to shape the outcome of the conversation. In Assassin’s Creed, however, dialogue options are limited, and players are often only given one or two options to choose from. This lack of meaningful dialogue choices further limits the role-playing experience in the game.
Limited impact on world and characters
Finally, the impact that players have on the world and characters in Assassin’s Creed is also limited. While players can complete side quests and interact with NPCs, the consequences of their actions are often minimal. In many RPGs, player choices have a significant impact on the world around them, leading to different outcomes and branching storylines. In Assassin’s Creed, however, the impact of player choices is often negligible, leading to a less immersive and less fulfilling role-playing experience.
Overall, the limited player choice in Assassin’s Creed is a significant factor in why the game is not considered an RPG. With a predetermined storyline, limited dialogue options, and a limited impact on the world and characters, the role-playing experience in Assassin’s Creed is significantly more limited than in traditional RPGs.
Limited customization options
While many role-playing games (RPGs) offer extensive character customization options, Assassin’s Creed falls short in this area. The limited customization options in Assassin’s Creed are a major factor in the debate over whether it should be classified as an RPG.
- Limited character creation options: In Assassin’s Creed, players have little control over the appearance of their characters. Players can choose their character’s gender, hair style, and clothing, but these options are limited and do not allow for much creativity. Additionally, players cannot choose their character’s race or ethnicity, which can be a significant aspect of character creation in many RPGs.
- Limited cosmetic customization: While players can purchase clothing and accessories for their characters, these items are often tied to specific missions or locations, and players cannot simply browse a menu of available items. This lack of freedom in cosmetic customization can be frustrating for players who want to express their creativity through their characters’ appearance.
- Limited player housing options: In Assassin’s Creed, players do not have access to their own homes or apartments. Instead, players must use public taverns or other locations as their base of operations. This lack of player housing options can make it difficult for players to feel a sense of ownership or investment in their characters’ lives.
Overall, the limited customization options in Assassin’s Creed are a significant factor in the debate over whether it should be classified as an RPG. While the game offers a unique and immersive experience, it falls short in terms of the character customization options that are a hallmark of many RPGs.
The debate on Assassin’s Creed as an RPG
Proponents of Assassin’s Creed as an RPG
Presence of RPG elements
Assassin’s Creed series is known for its blend of action, stealth, and exploration gameplay. However, many players and critics argue that the series also contains several elements that classify it as a role-playing game (RPG). One of the main arguments for this classification is the presence of RPG elements.
- Character customization: One of the key RPG elements is character customization, and Assassin’s Creed offers a wide range of options for players to personalize their characters. Players can choose their character’s appearance, gender, and even their playstyle by selecting from a variety of skill trees and abilities.
- Quests and missions: Another RPG element is the presence of quests and missions. Assassin’s Creed games offer a variety of side quests and main missions that allow players to explore the game world and interact with NPCs. These quests often involve branching storylines and multiple endings, providing a sense of choice and agency to the player.
- Crafting and loot: Many Assassin’s Creed games also feature crafting and loot systems, which are common in RPGs. Players can collect resources and materials to craft new weapons, armor, and other items. These items can then be used to improve the player’s character and enhance their gameplay experience.
Open-world design
Another argument for classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG is its open-world design. Assassin’s Creed games feature large, open-world environments that players can explore at their own pace. These environments are filled with NPCs, side quests, and hidden treasures, providing players with a sense of discovery and adventure.
- Immersive world: The open-world design of Assassin’s Creed games allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game world. Players can climb buildings, ride horses, and engage in combat with enemies in a seamless and dynamic environment. This level of immersion is often associated with RPGs, where players are encouraged to explore and interact with the game world.
- Non-linear gameplay: The open-world design of Assassin’s Creed games also allows for non-linear gameplay. Players are free to explore the game world in any order they choose, allowing for a more personalized and flexible gameplay experience. This non-linear approach to gameplay is another hallmark of RPGs, where players are often given the freedom to make their own choices and decisions.
Character progression
Finally, the character progression system in Assassin’s Creed games is another reason why some argue that it should be classified as an RPG. Assassin’s Creed games feature a deep and complex character progression system that allows players to level up and customize their characters over time.
- Skill trees: Assassin’s Creed games feature skill trees that allow players to choose which skills and abilities to unlock as they progress through the game. These skill trees are often divided into different categories, such as combat, stealth, or exploration, allowing players to specialize their characters to suit their preferred playstyle.
- Equipment and gear: In addition to skill trees, Assassin’s Creed games also feature equipment and gear systems. Players can collect new weapons, armor, and other items throughout the game, which can then be equipped to improve their character’s stats and abilities. This equipment and gear system allows players to tailor their characters to their preferred playstyle and encourages them to explore the game world to find better equipment.
Overall, proponents of classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG point to the presence of RPG elements such as character customization, quests and missions, crafting and loot, open-world design, and character progression as evidence for this classification.
Opponents of Assassin’s Creed as an RPG
One of the primary arguments against classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG is the lack of party-based gameplay. In traditional RPGs, players often have the option to assemble a party of characters with unique abilities and attributes, allowing for diverse strategies and approaches to combat and problem-solving. In contrast, Assassin’s Creed focuses primarily on the player character, with occasional assistance from AI-controlled allies. This limited focus on the player character can lead to a less dynamic and flexible gameplay experience compared to other RPGs.
Another criticism of Assassin’s Creed as an RPG is its limited player choice. While players can make choices that affect the story and the world around them, these choices often feel constrained and superficial. Dialogue options are often limited, and the impact of player choices on the story is often minimal, leading to a less immersive and interactive experience. This is in contrast to many RPGs, where player choices can have a significant impact on the story, characters, and world, leading to a more replayable and personalized experience.
Lastly, opponents of classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG point to its limited customization options. While players can customize their character’s appearance and abilities to some extent, the options are often limited and lacking in depth. Players cannot create a unique character from scratch, nor can they extensively modify their character’s appearance or abilities. This lack of customization options can lead to a less personalized and engaging experience compared to other RPGs, where players can often tailor their character to their preferred playstyle and aesthetic preferences.
The grey area: hybrid games
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly common for games to incorporate elements from multiple genres, creating a hybrid game that combines the best of several worlds. Hybrid games often straddle the line between different genres, blending mechanics and gameplay elements to create a unique experience for players. In the case of Assassin’s Creed, the game’s ability to combine action, adventure, and role-playing elements has led to a debate about whether it can be classified as a pure RPG.
Combining elements of different genres
Assassin’s Creed is known for its expansive open-world environments, immersive storytelling, and engaging gameplay mechanics. These elements are not unique to the game, as many other successful games have also incorporated similar features. However, what sets Assassin’s Creed apart is the way it combines these elements in a seamless and cohesive manner.
The game’s focus on exploration, character development, and narrative make it stand out as a unique hybrid game that is difficult to classify as a pure RPG. While the game does have RPG elements, such as character progression and customization, it also includes action and adventure mechanics that are more typically associated with games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider.
Examples of successful hybrid games
Other successful hybrid games include games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which combines elements of action, adventure, and RPGs, and games like Persona 5, which combines elements of RPGs, visual novels, and social simulation games. These games have proven that the hybrid approach can be highly successful, and it is not unreasonable to suggest that Assassin’s Creed could also evolve into a hybrid RPG.
Potential for Assassin’s Creed to evolve into a hybrid RPG
While Assassin’s Creed has already incorporated many RPG elements into its gameplay, there is still room for the game to evolve further. Future installments of the game could incorporate even more RPG mechanics, such as more robust character customization, deeper crafting systems, and more complex branching narratives.
Ultimately, the debate over whether Assassin’s Creed can be classified as an RPG comes down to semantics. While the game may not fit neatly into the traditional definition of an RPG, its ability to combine elements from multiple genres makes it a unique and engaging experience for players. Whether or not it is classified as an RPG, Assassin’s Creed remains one of the most popular and beloved franchises in gaming today.
FAQs
1. What is Assassin’s Creed?
Assassin’s Creed is a popular action-adventure video game series developed by Ubisoft. The series is set in a fictional world and revolves around the struggle between the Assassins and the Templars, two secretive organizations. The games are known for their open-world exploration, free-running, and parkour abilities, as well as their combat and stealth systems.
2. What are the role-playing elements in Assassin’s Creed?
Assassin’s Creed has several role-playing elements, including character creation, customization, and progression. Players can create and customize their own character, choosing their appearance, abilities, and equipment. As players progress through the game, they earn experience points and unlock new abilities and weapons. Additionally, the game features a morality system, where players’ choices and actions can affect their reputation and relationships with other characters.
3. What are the arguments for classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG?
One argument for classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG is its emphasis on character progression and customization. Players can choose their character’s appearance, abilities, and equipment, and can further customize their character by upgrading and unlocking new abilities and weapons. Additionally, the game features a morality system, where players’ choices and actions can affect their reputation and relationships with other characters. Finally, the game’s open-world environment allows for exploration and discovery, which are key elements of the RPG genre.
4. What are the arguments against classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG?
One argument against classifying Assassin’s Creed as an RPG is that it lacks traditional RPG elements such as turn-based combat and a strong emphasis on storytelling. While the game does have a story, it is primarily an action-adventure game with a focus on exploration, combat, and stealth. Additionally, some argue that the character progression and customization are not as extensive as in other RPGs, and that the morality system is not as complex or impactful.
5. What is the conclusion on whether Assassin’s Creed is an RPG?
The debate on whether Assassin’s Creed is an RPG is a subjective one, and ultimately comes down to personal definitions and expectations. While the game does have some role-playing elements, such as character creation, customization, and progression, it lacks some of the more traditional RPG elements such as turn-based combat and a strong emphasis on storytelling. Ultimately, whether or not Assassin’s Creed is considered an RPG will depend on the individual’s definition and expectations for the genre.