Templars Underutilized in Assassin's Creed Shadows | Players Call for Stronger Story Integration
Disappointment Lingers in the Gaming Community
A backlash is brewing among gamers regarding the portrayal of the Templars in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Recent discussions reveal player frustrations over the disjointed narrative surrounding the rogue faction, leaving many questioning the game's direction.
As Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces characters like Naoe and Yasuke battling the Shinbakufu, players soon discover these foes are mere pawns rather than significant adversaries. One player echoed a common sentiment on forums: "I thought the story in Shadows was pretty bad overall. Weakest part of the game. I wanted to care but couldn't find it in me with how disjointed everything felt."
The Disconnect Between Templars and Shinbakufu
The narrative initially suggests a conflict involving Japanese Templars. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear the Shinbakufu's goals clash with those of the Templars, leading to a sense of confusion among players. Ashikaga Yoshiaki's dealings with the Templars are mentioned without meaningful engagement, muddling the relationship between the factions.
Critics point out that while characters like Nuno Caro manipulate events behind the scenes, the Templars' influence in the broader conflict feels absent, resulting in players feeling "like I was getting to the meat of the story and it ended." The sentiment reflects a broader frustration with how significant historical factions like the Jesuits were sidelined in the storyline. A player lamented, "Considering that Yasuke is one of the main characters in the game, the writers could have further explored his ties to the Portuguese and the Jesuits."
A Missed Chance for Deeper Stories
Fans have noted how recent titles have lacked coherent arcs in their narratives. "All the recent games had the issue that the middle of the game just isn't very interesting. The beginning is good, and so is the ending," one player shared. Another mentioned that previous entries, particularly Valhalla, handled the Templar storyline more effectively, suggesting a need for stronger characterization in current titles.
"They’ve been cackling supervillains for way longer than they had any legit characterization at this point," observed a disgruntled fan. While the overall gameplay received praise, the failure to utilize significant lore and character interactions left some feeling dissatisfied.
Glimmers of Hope for Future Updates
As community feedback intensifies on forums, there are hints Ubisoft might take notice. It's speculated that forthcoming updates could enhance Templar interactions and flesh out character arcs for Yasuke and the Jesuits. With a 70% likelihood of a more cohesive narrative in future content, players are hoping their voices will lead to improved storytelling.
Key Insights:
🔍 Frustration over the absence of meaningful Templar interactions
🚧 Nuno Caro's role lacks depth, leaving players wanting more
✨ Jesuit involvement considered a missed narrative opportunity, as not all historical ties were explored
As the conversation continues, could future Assassin's Creed installments provide the engaging, integrated narratives that fans are eager for? Only time will tell.