Best Ubisoft Video Game Franchises

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Best Ubisoft Video Game Franchises

Key Takeaways

  • Ubisoft has plenty of iconic franchises that are over two decades old, some featuring annual releases.
  • The
    Splinter Cell
    ,
    Prince of Persia
    , and
    Heroes of Might and Magic
    series are currently poised for comebacks.
  • The
    Far Cry
    ,
    Assassin’s Creed
    , and
    Rainbow Six
    series continue to evolve, with new releases on the horizon.

As a long-time gamer who’s seen the evolution of gaming from 8-bit to VR, I must say that Ubisoft has truly left its mark with their iconic franchises – Rainbow Six, Far Cry, and Assassin’s Creed. Each one holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of millions of players worldwide.

Ubisoft is a renowned gaming company boasting a rich heritage in creating significant game series, some of which have produced more than ten main titles. Notably, they are also known for newer series such as ‘Watch Dogs’, ‘The Crew’, and ‘The Division’. However, it’s their classic franchises like ‘Far Cry’ and ‘Ghost Recon’, both over two decades old, that truly set them apart. These long-standing series continue to captivate both dedicated fans and new players with regular updates. Interestingly, several of Ubisoft’s popular military-themed franchises are inspired by the works of American author Tom Clancy.

Among Ubisoft’s most renowned and extensive series, some boast at least six primary installments each. Though fans have been anxiously anticipating new editions for certain franchises, there appears to be optimism regarding the potential comeback of games like Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia, and Heroes of Might and Magic. Here’s hoping these upcoming games will prove to be worth the wait!

7 Splinter Cell

Main Series: 6 Games

  • Last Release: Splinter Cell: Blacklist – 2013
  • Upcoming: Splinter Cell Remake – TBA

The initial release of the renowned Splinter Cell, dating back to 2002, was met with tremendous acclaim, establishing itself as one of the top stealth-action tactical series in the market. One of the game’s distinctive features, Sam Fisher’s night-vision goggles featuring distinct green lights, soon became a highly recognizable emblem within the genre. The series achieved its zenith from 2004 to 2006, with Ubisoft launching new installments each year. Among these, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, released during this period, is often hailed as the best, garnering praise for its sophisticated level design, adaptable mechanics, and meticulous detail.

2010 saw Ubisoft attempting a fresh take on the Splinter Cell series in “Splinter Cell: Conviction,” following some delays. This fresh approach was further developed in “Splinter Cell: Blacklist” (2013), but after that, the series took an extended break. Fans have been eagerly waiting for Sam Fisher’s return, and Ubisoft has responded to this demand with the announcement of a Splinter Cell remake. This remake aims to honor the original while also expanding its scope to appeal to a new crop of gamers.

6 Heroes Of Might And Magic

Main Series: 7 Games

  • Last Release: Might & Magic Heroes 7 – 2015
  • Upcoming: Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era – 2025

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but reminisce about the epic turn-based strategy saga known as Heroes of Might and Magic. Since Ubisoft took over the rights back in 2003, following 3DO’s downfall, it seems they haven’t quite managed to fully tap into its legendary potential. The first game under Ubisoft was Heroes of Might and Magic 5, developed by Nival Interactive – a title many of us believe is the last outstanding addition to the series. Following releases have received mixed feedback, with their graphics often being commended but other aspects criticized.

In an effort to refresh its image, Ubisoft changed the name of the series to “Might and Magic” for the sixth and seventh versions, but these alterations didn’t have the desired impact. Nevertheless, the forthcoming “Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era,” being developed by Unfrozen and slated for a 2025 launch, is expected to take the series back to its traditional foundations. Many enthusiasts are optimistic that this game will at last bring out the full potential of the franchise and rekindle the charm that made it cherished by countless fans.

5 Prince Of Persia

Main Series: 10 Games

  • Last Releases: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown/The Rogue Prince of Persia – 2024
  • Upcoming: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake – TBA

Originally developed by Jordan Mechner and Broderbund, the game known as Prince of Persia was taken over by Ubisoft in 2001. The series shares a history somewhat parallel to that of Splinter Cell, gaining immense popularity during the early 2000s, with the Sands of Time trilogy often hailed as the pinnacle of the action-platforming genre. However, by the 2010s, the franchise seemed to lose its pace. Ubisoft endeavored to revitalize the series with the visually impressive Prince of Persia (2008) and later sought to cash in on the nostalgia for Sands of Time with The Forgotten Sands (2010). Regrettably, neither endeavor met with the success Ubisoft had anticipated, and the series found itself somewhat eclipsed by the parkour-focused Assassin’s Creed.

After over a decade of being idle, Ubisoft unveiled plans for a remake of the popular game, Sands of Time. This project has experienced several delays and reboots. However, in 2024, two games – Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince – were released to positive reception. These titles indicate that the franchise is finally getting its long-overdue second chance to shine.

4 Ghost Recon

Main Series: 7 Games

  • Last Release: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint – 2019

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon is one of his military series, introduced in 2001. Unlike its counterpart Rainbow Six, it concentrates on broader military actions rather than SWAT-style missions. It showcases expansive landscapes, the deployment of war machinery, and strategic planning on a grander scale. In the mid-2010s, the series started to delve into the future of large-scale military operations with games like Advanced Warfighter 2 and Future Soldier.

The surge of popularity for this franchise started with “Ghost Recon Wildlands,” showcasing its key aspects: a vast open environment, smooth cooperative play, and strategic combat. However, the latest addition, “Breakpoint,” adhered to the same blueprint but was hampered by a premature release, debatable design decisions, and technical glitches. Ubisoft did make efforts to improve the game, and while “Breakpoint” is now more stable, some damage has been done to the franchise’s image as fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter.

3 Rainbow Six

Main Series: 10 Games

  • Last Release: Rainbow Six Extraction – 2022

Back in 1998, I stumbled upon one of the most sprawling gaming franchises out there – Rainbow Six. Over the years, it’s grown to include ten main games, each offering a unique take on tactical shooter action. At first, it was all about the single-player experience, providing some of the deepest tactical challenges around.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but admire the enduring strength of the Rainbow Six franchise, even with the relatively low profile of the latest entry, Rainbow Six Extraction. The real powerhouse here is undeniably Rainbow Six Siege, which has been a staple in Ubisoft’s gaming portfolio for almost nine years now. With over 85 million registered players and likely surpassing the 20 million mark in sales, it continues to captivate gamers worldwide.

2 Far Cry

Main Series: 6 Games

  • Last Release: Far Cry 6 – 2021
  • Upcoming: Far Cry 7 – rumored for a 2025 release

Back in 2004, when the initial Far Cry game was introduced by Crytek, it was hard to imagine that this tropical first-person shooter would grow into one of Ubisoft’s major franchise series. Over time, the series grappled to establish its unique identity, but everything shifted dramatically with the arrival of Far Cry 3 in 2012, which garnered significant success. Since then, the franchise has been characterized by captivating villains, player autonomy, and expansive, lively open environments – aspects that have been progressively improved upon in each subsequent release.

From a dedicated fan here, I must admit that every Far Cry game since the third installment has been a blockbuster and remains one of the top-selling single-player shooters out there. Yet, the recent addition to the series, Far Cry 6, didn’t quite strike the same chord with fans like its predecessors. It seemed the formula started to feel a bit tired and in need of some fresh ideas. Rumor has it that Ubisoft is gearing up to reinvigorate the franchise with the next installment, tentatively slated for fall 2025.

1 Assassin’s Creed

Main Series: 14 Games

  • Last Release: Assassin’s Creed Mirage – 2023
  • Upcoming: Assassin’s Creed Shadows – 2024

The Assassin’s Creed series, developed by Ubisoft, is their leading open-world stealth-action franchise, which first emerged in 2007, emphasizing movement and parkour. It rapidly grew to be one of the company’s most recognized brands within the gaming industry due to its consistent high-quality releases (for the most part). By skillfully blending tradition with innovation, the series has maintained its success. The main idea of traversing diverse historical environments has proved to be a hit, though the recent direction of the series, starting with Assassin’s Creed Origins, which was influenced by The Witcher 3, has caused some division among fans.

As a dedicated Assassin’s Creed fan, I can’t help but feel thrilled about Ubisoft’s latest moves. They’ve just dropped Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a game that seems to be a heartfelt nod to our roots, focusing more on stealthy maneuvers rather than the grand RPG-style adventures we’ve seen in games like Odyssey and Valhalla. It’s a refreshing change that I, for one, am eagerly looking forward to.

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2024-09-21 18:34