In the more than fifteen years of its existence, the saga of Assassin’s Creed has explored numerous historical eras bringing to the fore a flood of characters, many of which have rightfully entered the imagination of more than one generation of gamers. But what are they the five most charismatic protagonists ever?
Answering this question is a difficult undertaking and any attempt, including this one, cannot do without highly subjective assessments. For this reason take this list for what it is, an attempt at celebrate the most influential personalities of Assassin’s Creed bearing in mind that the selection made is anything but objective.
Ezio Auditore from Florence
Ezio Auditore from Florence he doesn’t fight. The Italian Assassin is by far the most iconic protagonist of the entire saga and still today, over ten years after his last appearance, he represents the first character that comes to mind to those who think of Assassin’s Creed.
It could not be otherwise, since it is the best characterized character ever. His story is told over the course of three entire games-Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood and Revelations, not counting animated and paper spin-offs-during which, in the midst of the Italian Renaissance, we see him transform from a young recklessMost influential and respected assassin of his time. Iconic character until his death, in an anthology scene that sees him surrender to a role of go-between for a message beyond his own understanding.
Bayek in Shiva
Impossible not to mention Bayek in Shiva, the one who in the first century BC helped to found the Occults, precursors of the Assassins. Without the precious contribution of him (and that of his wife Aya), the history of the world created by Ubisoft would have gone very differently.
At the beginning of his story in Assassin’s Creed Origins, Bayek is a medjay, whose role is to protect his people. When his son Khemu is killed, however, he sets out on a journey of vengeance through Ancient Egypt that leads him to the discovery of the Order of the Ancients, forerunner of the Templars, whose misdeeds do not leave him indifferent. His captivating personality and decisive role in the history of Assassin’s Creed make him undoubtedly one of the most charismatic characters ever.
Kassandra
Granddaughter of the legendary King Leonidas and daughter of Pythagoras, Kassandra is a Spartan warrior who lived in Ancient Greece at the time of the Peloponnesian Wars, in the fifth century BC. Strong, charming, charismatic and passionate, she grew up following Spartan teachings becoming a mercenary known throughout Greece as the “Shadow of the Eagle”. When she learns of the existence of the Cosmos Cult, she opposes it with all her might, subsequently being considered among the first forerunners of the Assassin Brotherhood.
At the beginning of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey it is possible to choose between two characters, Alexios and precisely Kassandra, however in the grand design of the saga it is the woman who is considered as the game’s canonical protagonist.
Edward e Haytham Kenway
Here we cheated a bit, but we also wanted to include the character of in this short list Haythamwhich although it cannot be considered a protagonist in the strict sense (he is impersonable at the beginning of Assassin’s Creed 3, but then with an iconic plot twist he gives way to Connor going to configure himself as a real villain), is undoubtedly among the most charismatic of all.
But let’s start with Edward Kenway: he is a pirate of the Caribbean, need to say more? Seriously, what really fascinates is the evolution of his character, who at the beginning of the Assassin’s Creed 4 epic, when he comes into contact with the creed, is more interested in becoming rich than in defeating the Templars. Over the years, however, he changes his mind, deciding to serve a greater good and eventually becoming an influential member of the Brotherhood, both in the Caribbean and in London. The final scene that sees Anne Bonney singing “The Parting Glass” while Edward thinks about all his friends together is really touching.
Despite having appeared a few years earlier in Assassin’s Creed 3, Haytham is actually Edward’s son, the second born to be exact. Intelligent, ambitious, sharp and cunning, he would have been an outstanding Assassin if he hadn’t revealed himself a Templar! After the loss of his father when he was only 10 years old, Haytham was introduced to the Templar Order by Reginald Birch, going on to hunt for artifacts of the First Civilization and almost completely eliminating the influence of the Assassins in the overseas colonies. His only son, Ratonhnhaké: ton, better known as Connor, will be able to stop him permanently.
Evie Frye
There are several other memorable protagonists, such as Connor, Arno and Eivor, but we prefer to conclude this overview by quoting another thick female character, namely Evie Fryelived in Victorian London, where together with her brother Jacob she opposed the Templar influence.
In Assassin’s Creed Syndicate it is possible to play both Frye brothers, but Evie is distinguished by a more determined personality and an elegant and distinctive design. Under her tough attitude she hides humor and humanity, also compared to her brother, decidedly more arrogant and rebellious, she seems more determined and recover the piece of Eden before the Templar enemies.