Ubisoft has shown a reinvigorated interest in developing new IPs and experimenting with content lately. While the play as anyone mechanic of Watch Dogs Legion or the turnaround for Ghost Recon Breakpoint show how Ubi has been experimenting within established IPs, nothing bolsters this point better than Ubisoft Quebec’s latest Immortals Fenyx Rising.
Experimenting with a lot of ideas both done and undone, the game has carved out its place among some of the best Ubisoft-developed games in recent memory. Skull and Bones is also Ubisoft’s spin on an already existing formula just like Immortals Fenyx Rising, and if trends are to go by, it could very well turn out to be great as well.
Both Skull and Bones and Immortals Fenyx Rising seem to have somewhat similar development. Unlike the annually releasing titles from the publisher such as Assassin’s Creed, both games were born out of weird experimentations. Immortals Fenyx Rising was born out of a development bug in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey which replaced the player’s naval crew with the mythical Cyclops. Coupled with the deep connection and inspiration, the developer already felt with Greek culture and mythology, the team set out to build the then-named Gods and Monsters.
On the other hand, the development of Skull and Bones began after experimenting with Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag‘s naval combat. The developer randomly hacked together a system that would allow 2 players to engage in naval combat against each other felt a lot of fun, one that could carry a game all on its own. Thus, the concept was born and since has been delayed, which could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Immortals Fenyx Rising became one of the first Ubisoft-published releases which received a delay due to COVID-19’s impact, as well as a seemingly re-commitment to its products after Ghost Recon Breakpoint‘s launch. The developer has stated that the delay was monumental in making sure the game was up to the standard of quality it wanted to be. Either way, Immortals Fenyx Rising received great reviews, with many critics appreciating Ubisoft’s willingness to experiment with ideas outside its comfort zone.
Skull and Bones follows a similar narrative, one that has yet to arrive at a conclusion. Being announced at E3 2017, Skull and Bones became the subject to some fan-hype and scrutiny alike. Many already clamored for such a spin-off after 2013’s Assassin’s Creed 4, while others felt the game to be a quick cash-grab, falling into many overused live-service tropes. However, Ubisoft stood up to the criticisms and attempted another take with 2018’s E3 gameplay walkthrough, which focused on showcasing the sheer potential it was capable. Many re-workings and newfound visions of many of the game’s ideas, both internal and external, have prompted an indefinite delay to Skull and Bones. The developer has stated that it needs the time to fully realize a “new direction” for the game, which indicates a healthy practice and could very well result in an improved title in the future.
It’s clear that Immortals Fenyx Rising as well as Skull and Bones are a reimagining of previously worked upon ideas. That has sparked a lot of debate within both communities, and a vocal minority continues to criticize both titles on account of such inspiration. However, Immortals Fenyx Rising has already proven itself as not being just a Zelda: Breath of the Wild clone, and its connections to AC Odyssey are some of its best elements.
Hopefully, when it comes to Skull and Bones, it can successfully do the same since the game is based on Black Flag. Fans just have to wait and see, as while it may be a wait, hopefully it’s worth the wait.
Skull and Bones is in development.
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