Bring Back Assassin’s Creed’s Bird Companion

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As a dedicated fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I can attest that, just like any major franchise, it’s evolved significantly over time. Each game has generally stuck to the Assassins versus Templars narrative, but the gameplay and mechanics have undergone numerous transformations. The latest installments have seen the most radical changes yet. Unfortunately, in the newest title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, one intriguing feature seems to be missing.

In “Assassin’s Creed Origins,” the series underwent a significant transformation from a typical action-adventure to a role-playing game (RPG) style experience. Alongside this shift, Ubisoft reimagined the franchise’s signature Eagle Vision ability as an actual eagle companion, a concept that has been a defining feature in four subsequent games. Interestingly, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” chose to eliminate this feature altogether. However, let’s hope it won’t be gone forever.

Assassin’s Creed’s Bird Companion Should Have Stayed a Franchise Staple

Assassin’s Creed Has Let Players Scout the Area With Their Own Bird Friend

In “Assassin’s Creed Origins,” the main character Bayek acquired a feathered sidekick named Senu, who served as a scouting tool. Players had the ability to command this bird and utilize it to explore their surroundings prior to engaging in combat. Senu could mark adversaries, pinpoint mission goals, and expose beneficial resources such as treasures and crafting components. As players advanced through the game, they could enhance Senu’s senses, making her an indispensable ally for any assassin aiming to eliminate Templar power.

In each new installment of the Assassin’s Creed series, the protagonist had a flying companion – Ikaros, Synin, and Enkidu respectively. These birds became constant allies to the player, offering assistance in scouting out the battlefield. Ubisoft also introduced additional methods for scouting, but these birds remained an essential part of the game. However, this seems to have changed with the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

AC Shadows Has Replaced the Bird With a Whole New Feature

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the traditional bird feature has been replaced by a new mechanic called Observe. This allows players to mark enemies nearby and gather resources while observing from Naoe or Yasuke’s perspective. Unlike previous versions where a bird flew overhead or Eagle Vision was used, players now scan their environment just as a regular person would. This gives the system a more authentic feel, but it seems that something is lacking.

As a gamer, having that feathered ally wasn’t exactly a game-breaking feature, but it surely added an exciting twist to the gameplay. The ability to scout the battlefield from above was like unlocking a secret treasure map. It not only opened up new strategic possibilities, but also offered breathtaking vistas of the game world that left me in awe. Here’s hoping Ubisoft considers reintroducing this feature in some form or another in future installments.

In all likelihood, a bird character won’t be included in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” unless it was introduced after the game’s release. Instead, future “Assassin’s Creed” games might want to reintroduce this feature. Although its functionality could be scaled down, having a consistent bird companion that players could summon added an enjoyable twist to the gameplay. If a bird can’t be used, let’s hope there’s something more substantial than the Observe ability taking its place instead.

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2025-03-24 19:24