Assassin’s Creed Hexe: Exploring the Dark World of Witch Trials

Ubisoft is shifting gears with its latest installment in the acclaimed Assassin’s Creed series, gearing up for Codename Hexe. Unlike its predecessors, which embraced expansive role-playing elements, this new entry is poised to deliver a more streamlined, linear narrative experience.

Setting and Theme

Set against the backdrop of 16th-century Germany, Hexe delves into the harrowing witch trials of the era. The game aims to adopt a significantly darker atmosphere, focusing on the story of Anika Adler, a protagonist who finds herself entangled in the chaos of persecution for witchcraft.

Character Insights

Recent casting calls have provided intriguing glimpses into the character roster, revealing initial projections that may evolve by the time of the game’s release. Here’s a breakdown of the main characters:

• Protagonist: “Petra”
  Described as a resilient and passionate woman in her mid-twenties, Petra is portrayed as a dutiful daughter with progressive ideals, determined to challenge societal constraints.
• Brigitte (Mother)
  A compassionate midwife in her early forties, Brigitte holds importance in the overall narrative, particularly in relation to Petra’s lineage and her ties to the Auditore family.
• Konrad (Father)
  Evaluated as a devout family man burdened with a dark occupation, Konrad is believed to serve as the “headsman of Neustadt,” adding complexity to their family dynamics.
• Bruno
  A boisterous leader with a rough sense of humor, whose role in the story may intertwine with that of Petra.
• Anton
  A seemingly respectable yet cunning figure who operates in secrecy. He may also serve in a mentoring capacity for Petra.
• Johanna
  A wealthy but ethically compromised manipulator, complicating Petra’s journey.
• Theo
  A sensitive young boy who depicts the role of a caring little brother.
• Erika
  An attractive and witty young woman, ardently fixated on societal standing.

Modern-day Storyline

The narrative also includes a modern character, Anna, characterized as an ambitious and impatient career woman, detached from the German heritage of the main cast. She is likely positioned as a conduit to the overarching Abstergo or Animus elements of the plot.

Mother Gertrud’s Legacy

Of particular significance is Mother Gertrud, a 65-year-old former healer whose history of mistrust within her community sets the stage for a compelling backstory. Accused of witchcraft during a local epidemic, she chose to live in isolation rather than face condemnation. Gertrud has deep connections to Petra’s family, having previously taught Petra’s mother the ways of herbalism.

Upcoming Locations

As the plot unfolds, Petra’s pursuits will lead her to cities such as Augsburg, with reports indicating that another location, Würzburg, may feature in future expansions.

Development Status

Despite recent challenges during development, including the reassignment of approximately 50 developers, industry insiders express confidence that Hexe remains on a promising trajectory. According to reliable sources, the anticipated release window now extends to the latter half of 2027.