The Acolyte Podcast

At the end of every year, I will be doing the traditioinal "Game of the Year" discussion that every game content creator or publication does. However, I will put a twist on it. Instead of a "GOTY" of whatever released in it's respective year, I want to give my "favorite" game of the year, something that I played and finished a playthrough of, for the current year, but it doesn't have to be released that year. So, I actually have two games that I want to give my FGOTY award to. First is 2023's Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. T...

Well here we are again. The Assassin's Creed franchise is once again at a crossroads. Everything I needed to say was said in this episode. I'll always carry this franchise in my heart, but I lack faith in the vision and people who are sheperding it into the future. Moreover, I've got some cool episodes lined up for Season 2, starting January 1st, but before that the next 2 episodes this month will be about my "Favorite" games of the year. Those episodes will release December 11th and 18th. Thanks for sticking with me this year. It's been great and ex...

Wait...I have an idea! Or several unique ones for different aspects of Assasson's Creed. These ideas have been ruminating, most of them anyway, for a few years and are kind of like a "pie in the sky," wishful thinking, here's how I would improve upon these things. This is Part 4 of a 4-part series, which will all be released sequentially through the end of November. Thanks for listening! youtube.com/hoodedshadowbrand

Wait...I have an idea! Or several unique ones for different aspects of Assassin's Creed. These ideas have been ruminating, most of them anyway, for a few years and are kind of like a "pie in the sky", wishful thinking, here's how I would improve upon these things. This is Part 3 & will be a 4-part series,  which will all be released sequentially through the end of November.

Wait...I have an idea! Or several unique ones for different aspects of Assassin's Creed. These ideas have been ruminating, most of them anyway, for a few years and are kind of like a pie in the sky, wishful thinking, "here's how I would improve upon these things." This is Part 2 & will be a 4-part series, which will all be released sequentially through the end of November.

Wait...I have an idea! Or several unique ones for different aspects of Assassin's Creed. These ideas have been ruminating, most of them anyway, for a few years and are kind of like a pie in the sky, wishful thinking, "here's how I would improve upon these things." This is Part 1 of a 4-part series, which will all be released sequentially through the end of November.

You can do a case study of the "evolution" of the Assassin's Creed franchise and after formulating a massive headache, then you *might* be able to have an informed opinion of it. A lot of opinionated gamers have varying degrees of how much these games have changed over it's 16+ year history. Is it really an evolution or was it a major, even necessary, change that occured? So in this episode, I give my two cents on how "evolution" really changed Assassin's Creed.

When the Assassin's Creed Netflix show was announced in 2020, then reannounced in 2022, it seemed to be a long time coming for a franchise that was about to celebrate it's 15th birthday. Being one of the biggest brands in video games, it only seemed like a matter of time before we recieved a television series to synchronize with. There are some reservations about this, however, because the prevailing sentiment after the Assassin's Creed movie, released in 2016, seemed very mixed with many loathing it's terrible writing amongst its many problems. If done correctly though, a Netflix adaptation could b...

There are many games in the development pipeline, currently, for Assassin's Creed. Alongside the "flagship" titles that are Shadows and Codename: Hexe, respectively, there's two multiplayer experiences, two (speculated) remakes, the "Modern Day" storyline making a return, and "smaller, classic-style" games too; all due for release by the end of the decade. One of these "classic-style" games is rumored to be "Codename: Nebula" and reportedly was pitched with three wildly different settings (India, Aztec Empire, & Mediterranean) within this one game. Here, I speculate how this may work and give an educated guess on what the Mediterranean setting/country might be.

Assassin's Creed has largely been an anthology during it's existence. Each game would usually ignore what the last one did instead of building on narratives, characters, and gameplay systems with each entry. We have the Ezio Trilogy of games and a pseudo-trilogy with the Kenway Saga, but we almost had another trilogy. This one would have featured two of the most loved characters in the franchise, Bayek & Amunet (otherwise known as Aya) and would've been set in three "Mediterranean area" cities. In this episode, I give my thoughts about this trilogy, go in depth on the r...

Wait, I thought this was an Assassin's Creed podcast!? The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand is still going strong today after seeing a plethora of comics and a movie having recently been released, as well as an upcoming TV show being in the works. After reading the comic The Last Ronin that concluded the era of the original Turtles, I loved it so much that TMNT is now one of my top franchises that I'm invested in going forward. To my delight, a game based on the comic was also revealed to be in development and excitement ran r...

Raise your hand if you've been waiting for Assassin's Creed to tackle the setting of Feudal Japan. It's been my most anticipated setting for over a decade, and it's finally happening! The first bit of gameplay was shown recently, and I have some thoughts about it. The gameplay demos have never WOWed me and I always feel different once I get my hands on the game, but something just felt off to me about it. What might that be? Give this episode a listen to find out!

I was inspired to make this episode after reading an article written by fan group The Ones Who Came Before that talks of a game set in the Aztec Empire. This has been one of the settings that I've wanted to see for a long time and there is a rumor that says it may be happening!?!? I talk a bit about that and emerge from the shadows to present my opinion on how awesome it could be to have an Assassin's Creed experience in the Aztec Empire setting. Please enjoy!

Despite being the star of Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China and having a major role in Ezio's life (and short movie, "Embers"), not to mention the Assassin with one of the dopest designs, a Shao Jun game has never materialized. A lot of fans have clamored profusely over the years for an experience as the titular Assassin, even though there have been several transmedia projects that tell a lot of her adventures. We've even had rumors of a mainline game being "in discussion" for Shao Jun. But, it has been several years since that rumor a...

Even though we technically have seen the Spanish Inquisition setting in the transmedia, being the movie and a mobile game (Rebellion), it has not appeared in a mainline game as of yet. It is one that I would really like to see, however, for a plethora of reasons. I go into detail as to why and try to will the game into existence.

Some dork on YouTube (I don't remember his channel name) called Mirage "Fast Food Gaming." And even though I think the brand as a whole and Ubisoft's development strategy appropriately deserve this title, Mirage does not. For context, I didn't watch the video itself and this title was in the thumbnail, so maybe I don't have the proper context for this YouTuber's (asinine) opinion. People like to hate on Assassin's Creed, which is mostly deserved, but I have to defend Mirage from this designation.

Assassin's Creed Codename: Hexe caught the attention of everyone when it was announced in 2022. And even though it's not scheduled for release for a few more years, we just recieved a recent report from Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming giving details on the atmosphere of the setting and a couple gameplay details that have proven to be a bit controversial. I discuss here the amazing potential of this game in regards to the Assassin's Creed motif but also how it could end up being a "magical" disaster.

Here is a "unique" topic that most Assassin's Creed podcasts don't really talk about. In "Unique Ideas," I just give a brief summary of some...ideas I'd like to see implemented in future experiences. I may do a "Part 2" at some point, but for now enjoy this episode! (Spoiler Warning: There is definitely going to be a Part 2!)

Over the years, there have been rumors and requests for a "Bayek sequel" that has never come to fruition. As he is my, as well as many others', favorite character in the franchise, many have called for more stories from this beloved character that appeared in 2017's Assassin's Creed: Origins. In this episode, I give my thoughts on what my ideal Bayek sequel would look like and take inspiration from a particular characters' journey from another A.C. game. See you in the shadows!

In this bonus episode, recorded in 2022, I vent about the state of where Assassin's Creed was as a brand after the most recent era that just concluded (RPG/Mythological) and give a rant about my pessimism of A.C. moving forward. I lament the days when it was a unique, historical/sci-fi, genre bending IP as it has now transitioned into a mythological, unrealistic experience, that some have said needed to be "evolved" as it continues

I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to experience the Feudal period in Japan within the parameters of Assassin's Creed since I joined the Brotherhood (the A.C. community). In 2020, a little game called Ghost of Tsushima released that featured an experience that many fans had waited 13 years for. Some would say Ghost of Tsushima "scratched the itch" of a Fedual Japan period Assassin's Creed game from it's core design principles; like stealth and combat, to exploration and freerunning. In my opinion, G.o.T doesn't quite satiate that desire after experiencing this setting (even though I really lo...

Assassin's Creed has always had a major problem that it hasn't rectified, and that is throwing away major characters. As each game is released, they completely forget everything and everyone from the previous entry and miss out on potential "gold" to weave existing characters into stories, that obviously make sense within the timeline of the game. In this episode, I go into depth of why this is a problem and give an opinion on how it can be utilized to its highest potential.

Crossover Stories was a welcome surprise when it was announced and released back in late 2021. Traditionally, Assassin's Creed has not "crossovered" stories of main characters in multiple games, but in the post launch of Valhalla, we got to see a familiar character, from another game, to interact with. This has led to many discussions on other crossover stories that initially never came to fruition, unfortunately. In this episode, I give my thoughts on why this was an amazing thing to have happened and maybe opens the door for, hopefully, crossover stories in the future.

This episode starts the "General Discussion" portion for Season 1 of "The Acolyte Podcast." Here, I breakdown my overall experience after completing the newest entry of the franchise, Assassin's Creed: Mirage. Please listen and enjoy!

Legacy of the First Blade was an expansion that released in 2019 for (that 2018 game which will not be named). Overall, this expansion had 3 episodes released and the first episode titled "Hunted" was actually pretty good from a narrative standpoint. This episode specifically told the story of the first wielder of the iconic weapon of the Assassins, the Hidden Blade. Darius, who is one of the legendary Sanctuary Assassins located under the Villa Auditore in Assassin's Creed 2, is by and large the main character of Episode 1. In it shows the first recorded use of the Hidden Blade w...

Recording for "The Acolyte Podcast" began right after the rumor/leak of "Codename: Rift" which eventually became Assassin's Creed: Mirage. In this episode, I go over the info conveyed in the rumor/leak and give my thoughts on it. How much of it was accurate? Over the next few weeks and months, bonus episodes will be available in the lead up to the "General Discussion" part of Season 1 which will be ready around the time of "Codename: Red" in Fall 2024. These bonus episodes are just some random musings about different things regarding A.C. En...

Assassin's Creed: Valhalla is less traditional Assassin's Creed and more "Viking fantasy", even though there are elements to it, albeit not many, that I like about the game. Notably, the name of this very podcast was conceived from a certain dialouge from the game. Thanks for listening!

Odyssey does NOT deserve to have the "Assassin's Creed" name attached to it. This game is a travesty to not only RPGs but especially to the Assassin's Creed brand too. I expose the devs who made this game in an infamous rant.

Just an FYI...Assassin's Creed: Origins is one of my FAVORITE games of all time. That may give away where it sits on my rankings but I just had to say it. Please give this episode a listen as to why I feel that way. Thanks for listening.

"Assassin's Creed: Syndicate" has a strange reputation. Some A.C. fans adore it, and many loathe it to no end. Where do I fall on that spectrum? Find out in this episode!

"Assassin's Creed: Unity"...a polarizing game to say the least. Despite it's numerous flaws, I quite enjoy my time with the game. The reason why?...you'll have to give it a listen to find out!

Assassin's Creed: Rogue was no doubt overshadowed by it's next gen counterpart in "Assassin's Creed: Unity." Despite this, opinions within the community have been polarizing towards this game...some love it, some despise it. I, on the otherhand, recognize it's flaws but I enjoy most of what Rogue has to offer.

2013's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag remains one of the most highly rated entries in the franchise. If you ask most Assassin's Creed fans, Black Flag has the best story, characters, exploration, and gameplay. Even though these opinions may be true, I see through its facade. Give it a listen to hear why I feel that way.

Assassin's Creed III is a very divisive game within the community. It serves as the ending to the Modern Day story that started with the first game, while setting up the "new" story to continue in subsequent years. And while there are things that annoy me about it, I don't believe it's the worst entry in the franchise. Check out where it places on my rankings list!

Assassin's Creed: Revelations has gone through a hell of a journey...from previously being the black sheep of its respective trilogy, to currently where it is now widely considered as a masterpiece and has garnered much more adoration in recent times. Find out where I place it on my Rankings list!

The immediate follow up to Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood takes the formula of it's predecessor and greatly improves on it in almost every way...almost. Find out where it ranks on my Tier List in this episode.

The sequel to "Assassin's Creed" is one of the most beloved games, not only in the franchise, but in the whole sphere of gaming. In this episode, I rank Assassin's Creed II for my Tier List and it doesn't appear where you might think it does...

Back to where it all began....In this episode, I give my thoughts on the game that started it all, and give my opinion as to how I feel about it and my first experience playing the O.G. Assassin's Creed. Please enjoy!