Why Assassin's Creed Nexus VR Falls Short of True Immersion

The Assassin's Creed franchise has a bright future, with Ubisoft announcing several new titles and experiences set to release soon. These include the highly anticipated mainline title Assassin's Creed Mirage, as well as the mobile game Assassin's Creed Codename Jade, two new experiences under the codenames Red and Hexe, and a revolutionary new platform called Assassin's Creed Infinity. Moreover, Ubisoft is also venturing into virtual reality with Assassin's Creed Nexus VR, which is expected to launch later this year. However, some fans may feel disappointed with the direction that Ubisoft has taken with this latest title. Instead of building on the franchise's existing immersive augmented reality system, the studio has opted for a completely different approach, which may have been a missed opportunity.

Assassin's Creed Nexus Could Have Been So Much More

Players can expect to immerse themselves in historically accurate environments and engage in thrilling combat as they uncover the secrets of the past. With the use of VR technology, players will be able to experience the world of Assassin's Creed like never before, feeling as if they are truly part of the action. The return of beloved characters such as Ezio, Kassandra, and Connor is sure to delight fans of the series, while the new artifacts to uncover will keep players engaged and entertained for hours on end. Assassin's Creed Nexus VR is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the franchise, offering a fresh take on a beloved series that is sure to impress both newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Assassin's Creed Nexus VR has the potential to be a captivating spin-off, however, it appears to be an odd choice. The Animus, Abstergo's powerful machine, has always been at the heart of the Assassin's Creed franchise. It allows characters like Desmond Miles and Lylan Hassan to delve into their ancestors' stories and uncover artifacts that can save the present. Although the franchise has strayed from this core concept, the Animus continues to play a crucial role in the main narrative. The Meta Quest could have been an excellent opportunity to showcase this concept.

Assassin's Creed Nexus VR presents a similar concept to the Animus, albeit less advanced. Players will travel back in time, assume the role of an assassin, and experience the world as if they were that person. This is akin to what characters like Desmond Miles do in the main series, albeit with greater immersion. Although the VR medium cannot fully replicate the Animus, it could have been the foundation for this VR experience. This concept was ripe for exploration, yet for some reason, Ubisoft chose to go in a different direction.

Instead of Assassin's Creed Nexus VR, the game could have been called Assassin's Creed Animus, allowing for exploration of even more Assassins throughout history. Players could have entered the fictional machine and chosen which Assassin they wanted to control, creating a truly immersive experience that would have rivaled the real Animus. While Ubisoft may continue to add more Assassins in the future, it's hard not to feel like the potential of the Animus was left untapped with the current iteration of the game. Fans can look forward to playing Assassin's Creed Nexus VR on Meta Quest in 2023.