Ezio Had a Trilogy, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Basim Deserves One Too

by

The captivating portrayal of Basim in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was so striking that Ubisoft decided to give him a solo Assassin’s Creed game called Mirage. His narrative was simply too intriguing to ignore. With both games now accessible to the public, it’s a pity that Ubisoft only produced two Basim-centric games rather than creating an entire trilogy, as they did with the character Ezio.

Among all the characters from contemporary Assassin’s Creed games, Basim deserves a trilogy more than any other.

Warning: This write-up includes details that reveal plot points from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Mirage. Read at your own risk.

Why Basim?

If you’ve completed Valhalla, it might be clear to you where the story is heading. Basim shares a resemblance with Loki, much like Eivor and Sigurd are similar to Odin and Tyr respectively. All four characters are survivors of the catastrophic event that signaled the end of the Isu civilization, which we know as Ragnarok.

In the finale of Valhalla, Basim’s persona paves the way for future growth in a potential sequel. With an artifact known as the Piece of Eden now in his hands and access to all the wisdom of his ancestors, the possibilities for shaping a fresh historical narrative are vast.

A Complex Character

Basim isn’t entirely bad nor completely good; instead, he’s a complex character. In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, we caught a peek into his daily life in 9th-century Baghdad before uncovering his family roots. At that time, he was merely a street thief trying to find a fresh direction in life. But with Nehal, who resembles Loki’s subconscious, persistently shadowing him, his journey wasn’t simple.

The show could benefit from developing characters such as Basim further, who contrasts significantly with Ezio. While Ezio is driven by a desire to create a lasting legacy, Basim harbors distinct aspirations. Post-Valhalla, Basim’s narrative presents promising avenues for deeper examination, including his quest to find his children with Angrboda (or Aletheia).

The Hidden Ones Moving Forward

In a potential third installment, Ubisoft might delve deeper into Basim’s life, focusing on events after Valhalla or bridging the gap between Mirage and Valhalla. His bond with the Assassin Brotherhood persists, as does his connection to Shaun and Rebecca in the contemporary timeframe. This could pave the way for a completely new narrative—maybe even a World War II setting down the line?

In the sequence of events, Ezio’s trilogy portrays various phases of his life that cover several years. Similarly, Basim could progress through similar developmental stages. We have witnessed his beginnings in Mirage, and if there’s a suitable sequel to Valhalla, it would provide an opportunity for his character to continue evolving.

Ubisoft Needs to Develop Its Characters Beyond One-Off Entries

Ubisoft often switches its main characters after just one game, similar to how Marvel tends to change villains. Although Layla Hassan appears frequently in the contemporary narrative, many of the historical characters from the Animus series have a single appearance before being replaced.

It would be delightful if Ubisoft revisited the narrative structure they employed with the character of Ezio, where characters grow and evolve across several games without disrupting the overall plotline. Even though the trilogy featuring Ezio ended, it still kept up a consistent pace, culminating in (mostly) wrapping up Desmond’s storyline in Assassin’s Creed III.

A Mirage DLC?

There’s a glimmer of possibility for Basim’s tale. Gossip points towards a future DLC for Assassin’s Creed Mirage, planned to drop two years post-launch. This is an uncommon strategy from Ubisoft, as they usually roll out expansions quicker.

There was a lot of talk following the deal between Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, and the Saudi investment group, Savvy Games. This partnership seems to involve plans for more Mirage content, as reported.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been hearing whispers that the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows might be more than just an expansion pack. With the attention Ubisoft has been giving it and considering the timeline, there’s a chance they could opt for a standalone Basim game instead of a DLC. It’s reminiscent of how Mirage was initially planned as an expansion for Valhalla, but eventually evolved into a full-fledged title on its own.

The Case for More Basim

I found the character progression of Basim throughout his two games truly captivating. He has a wealth of unrealized abilities, and it’s a pity that Ubisoft tends to abandon well-crafted characters in favor of creating brand new ones. The dedication shown towards Ezio, spanning across three games, is evident, and if fans rally together, Basim could also receive this level of commitment.

With an increased chorus of voices from both loyal fans and die-hard Basim enthusiasts, there’s a greater chance that Ubisoft will listen to our request—potentially leading to another exciting journey with Basim in the days ahead.

Read More

2025-03-19 16:12