Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Animus Hub: A Promising Yet Disappointing Launcher

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Remember Assassin’s Creed: Infinity?

Ubisoft’s eagerly awaited platform was designed as a vibrant center for everything related to Assassin’s Creed, offering a friendly introduction for newcomers to grasp the essence of the franchise. Some even predicted that this bold endeavor might reshape the series’ direction.

It debuted simultaneously with Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and the experience I encountered wasn’t quite as anticipated. In fact, it felt a bit peculiar.

Initially announced in 2021 by Jason Schreier at Bloomberg, Assassin’s Creed: Infinity was planned to unify all Assassin’s Creed games under a single platform, offering a smooth integration of multiple games. There were whispers that it would debut together with Shadows, and indeed, it did. However, the outcome didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Based on information from Ubisoft’s FAQ, Infinity is specifically designed for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and does not operate as a separate application. Instead, it functions as an in-game menu prior to launching Shadows, effectively taking over the role of the modern-day storyline that Ubisoft has been gradually eliminating. For now, players can explore the Animus files in the Hub to gather modern-day lore, but there’s not much more available in this regard.

It’s important to note that Ubisoft stated during an interview in 2022 with IGN that Infinity, or as it’s referred to in the game, the Animus Hub, is still under development. The version presented in Shadows represents only the start, not yet reflecting the team’s ultimate vision.

Because Infinity functions as a feature that operates in real-time, it’s where Ubisoft primarily channels the majority of in-game currency transactions. Players can acquire skins, packs, and other cosmetic items through the store. This is part of Ubisoft’s ongoing transition away from UPlay, with the goal of making each Assassin’s Creed game more engaging within its sci-fi “Matrix” environment.

The most appealing aspect is that it’s entirely free, including the Battle Pass-style setup and its associated resources. However, given Ubisoft’s history, I wouldn’t be shocked if they eventually incorporate some form of monetization, such as charging for Keys, an in-game currency used for cosmetic items. These Keys (and other resources) can be discovered across Shadows’ Feudal Japan landscape, seamlessly integrated into the game simulation due to their unusual design.

It’s a Nice Change…But Not Enough

Admittedly, the startup animation for Infinity is quite striking, a nice deviation from the ordinary slow-loading menus we often encounter. However, I had hoped for something even more exceptional given my expectations.

Currently, it seems quite restrictive. I was expecting a fluid progression across all RPG-era Assassin’s Creed games without the need to close and reopen each one individually. However, this is not how it works. Playing Valhalla or Odyssey still necessitates launching them as separate applications, with no smooth transition into their virtual worlds. (Remember: You must first install these games on your chosen platform.)

As an avid fan, I’m thrilled to share that Ubisoft has acknowledged the demand and confirmed their intentions to expand the Infinity universe with additional Assassin’s Creed titles. Fingers crossed, this could potentially bring back beloved characters like Ezio, Altair, and Connor into the fold!

Currently, Infinity lacks certain essential elements which makes it somewhat peculiar for me. Yet, I’m eager to witness its development over the next few months. It’s an intriguing aspect that harmoniously complements the Assassin’s Creed narrative; I merely hope it matures into something deserving of the buzz.

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2025-03-26 18:13