Ubisoft's Bold Move: Reinventing Major Franchises for Maximum Impact

The year 2023 has already seen numerous announcements about changes coming to popular franchises like Call of Duty and Final Fantasy. However, Ubisoft is taking a different approach with their long-running series, Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed. Rather than introducing a multitude of new features, the company is opting for a back-to-basics approach that has been well-received thus far. Both Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Assassin’s Creed Mirage share a renewed focus on the gameplay mechanics that made them successful in the first place. This not only pays tribute to the series’ roots but also makes the games more accessible for new players. Ubisoft’s choice is intriguing as it appears to be an honest acknowledgment of the missteps of the most recent titles in each franchise, rather than simply relying on players’ nostalgia.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Offers a Stylish Spin on a Tried-and-True Formula

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers a promising return to the series' classic side-scrolling gameplay, complete with the acrobatic platforming mechanics that made the original game a fan favorite. With lackluster entries in the past, such as 2008's Prince of Persia and 2010's Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Ubisoft may find success in revisiting the franchise's roots and delivering a nostalgic 2D platformer experience. The release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown could potentially generate interest in the upcoming Sands of Time remake and even pave the way for a new mainline installment in the beloved franchise.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage Could Recapture the Magic That Made the Franchise a Hit

Recent Assassin's Creed games have turned away some players due to their increasingly lengthy runtimes and growing reliance on RPG elements, leaving those more interested in parkour and assassination feeling forgotten. However, the upcoming Assassin's Creed Mirage is set to return to the franchise's stealth-centric roots and adapt to learn from previous missteps. The first gameplay trailer has shown that Ubisoft is willing to take a pared-down approach and there is still a market for a more traditional Assassin's Creed game, which could lead to the release of similar titles in the future.

The potential success of Ubisoft's retro revival strategy for classic franchises like Assassin's Creed and Prince of Persia opens the door for the possibility of future revivals. Given the current criticisms of the publisher's other legacy franchise, a throwback version of Far Cry that eliminates the need for tower climbing could be a promising addition to the list.