🧙‍♀️ Assassin’s Creed Hexe: A Witchy New Chapter Awaits in 2026! 🧙‍♀️

Ready to step into the darkest corner of the Assassin’s Creed universe? Assassin’s Creed Hexe is coming, and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before—a haunting tale of witchcraft, vengeance, and secrets set in 16th-century Germany. Will you unravel the mysteries of the Holy Roman Empire’s witch trials? 🕯️ Get the full scoop on the setting, story, and release date!

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Assassin’s Creed Hexe, the next flagship title in Ubisoft’s iconic stealth-action series, is poised to redefine the franchise with its dark, occult-driven narrative and a departure from the RPG-heavy mechanics of recent entries. Announced in September 2022 during Ubisoft Forward, Hexe (a German word meaning “witch”) promises a chilling journey into the 16th-century Holy Roman Empire, centered around the infamous witch trials. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the studio behind Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Black Flag, this game is described as a “very different type of Assassin’s Creed” by series vice president and executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté. With a targeted release in 2026, Hexe is set to follow Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Animus Hub platform. This 1500-word analysis compiles everything known about Hexe’s setting, story, gameplay, release date, and more, drawing from official teasers, developer statements, and credible reports to provide a comprehensive overview.

Release Date and Platforms

As of September 2025, Assassin’s Creed Hexe has no confirmed release date, but multiple sources point to a 2026 launch window, with some speculation suggesting a potential delay to 2027 to avoid competing with major releases like GTA 6. Insider Gaming reported in April 2024 that the game was in early development, targeting 2026 on the Animus Hub (previously known as Assassin’s Creed Infinity), a centralized platform connecting future Assassin’s Creed titles. Ubisoft producer Andrée-Anne Boisvert confirmed in January 2025 that Hexe will likely be the next title added to the Animus Hub after Shadows, reinforcing the 2026 timeline.

While official platforms remain unconfirmed, Hexe is expected to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, following the trend of recent Assassin’s Creed titles like Shadows, which dropped support for last-gen consoles. There’s no indication of a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One release, but rumors of compatibility with next-gen consoles like a potential PlayStation 6 in 2027 have surfaced, given Ubisoft’s history of cross-generational support. A mobile version or Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility is unconfirmed, though Ubisoft’s focus on the Animus Hub suggests a robust PC presence via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.

Setting: The Holy Roman Empire and Witch Trials

Assassin’s Creed Hexe is set in Central Europe during the 16th century, at the height of the Holy Roman Empire, a sprawling confederation encompassing modern-day Germany, Austria, and parts of surrounding nations. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported in 2022 that the game will focus on the witch trials, a period of intense paranoia and persecution between the 1560s and 1630s, particularly in southern Germany. This era saw up to 80,000 suspected witches executed, driven by religious fervor and societal fear of the occult. The setting marks a first for the Assassin’s Creed series, which has yet to explore Germany’s history in depth, offering a fresh backdrop distinct from the feudal Japan of Shadows or the Renaissance Italy of Assassin’s Creed II.

The game’s teaser trailer, revealed at Ubisoft Forward 2022, sets a foreboding tone with dead leaves, rotting trees, and an Assassin’s insignia formed from broken branches above an open flame. Translated text in the trailer, written in the 17th-century Alphabet of the Magi, provides clues: the outer ring reads “Wir arbeiten im dem tunckel um dem licht zu dienen” (Old German for “We work in the dark to serve the light”), the series’ iconic maxim. The inner text spells “Mephisto rache husa,” loosely translating to “Mephisto avenge this house/family.” Mephisto, a demon from German folklore tied to the Faust legend, suggests a narrative steeped in Germanic mythology, occult themes, and possibly supernatural elements, aligning with the witch trial setting.

Players can expect a dark, gloomy atmosphere, with cobblestone streets, dense forests, and settings like the Duchy of Bavaria or Swabia, where witch hunts were particularly brutal. The trailer’s imagery and fan translations point to a German-centric story, potentially in regions like Bamberg or Würzburg, notorious for their witch trials. This setting offers a stark contrast to the vibrant, open worlds of Valhalla or Odyssey, leaning into a horror-infused aesthetic that could rival the best horror games if executed well.

Story: A Tale of Witchcraft and Vengeance

While Ubisoft has kept story details sparse, Assassin’s Creed Hexe is shaping up to be the darkest entry in the franchise, centered around a female protagonist named Elsa, who possesses supernatural abilities. Insider Gaming’s April 2024 report revealed leaked gameplay footage showing Elsa being hunted by 16th-century German soldiers, using her powers to possess a cat as a distraction (e.g., knocking over a bottle to divert attention). This suggests a narrative where Elsa, likely an Assassin, navigates a world that brands her as a witch, blending the series’ traditional Assassin-Templar conflict with themes of persecution and survival.

The trailer’s reference to “Mephisto avenge this house/family” hints at a personal vendetta, possibly involving Elsa’s family or a broader Assassin brotherhood seeking justice against Templar-driven witch hunts. The Holy Roman Empire’s religious and political turmoil provides a rich backdrop for the series’ core conflict, with Templars likely exploiting the witch trials to consolidate power, while Assassins work in the shadows to protect the accused or undermine oppressive structures. The phrase “we work in the dark to serve the light” reinforces Elsa’s role as an Assassin, potentially fighting to expose the truth behind the trials or a demonic force tied to Mephisto.

The story may also explore the occult more explicitly than past entries. While Assassin’s Creed typically grounds its supernatural elements in Isu technology (e.g., Pieces of Eden), Hexe’s witchy theme and Elsa’s abilities suggest a blend of historical fiction and paranormal horror. Fan theories on Reddit speculate that Elsa could be a sage or a descendant with Isu-enhanced powers, mistaken for witchcraft by 16th-century society. The narrative might delve into her struggle to reconcile her abilities with her identity, questioning whether she’s a savior or a monster in a world that fears her.

Gameplay: A Return to Linear Roots with a Twist

Unlike the sprawling RPGs Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, Assassin’s Creed Hexe will not be a full-fledged RPG, according to Marc-Alexis Côté’s 2022 IGN interview. Instead, it will offer a more linear experience with elements of open-world exploration, akin to Assassin’s Creed Mirage or the earlier, stealth-focused titles like Assassin’s Creed II. Insider Gaming reports that Hexe will retain core series mechanics—stealth, parkour, and intricate combat—but with a fresh twist inspired by the witch trial setting.

A key feature is the rumored “Fear System,” inspired by the Jack the Ripper DLC from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. In that DLC, protagonists used tools like Fear Bombs to intimidate enemies. In Hexe, Elsa’s supernatural abilities, such as possessing animals or casting illusions, could tie into this system, allowing her to instill fear in enemies to create openings for stealth or escape. This mechanic would suit the witch trial theme, where fear drove mass hysteria, and could add a psychological layer to gameplay, making Elsa feel both powerful and vulnerable.

While open-world elements will be present, they’ll likely be more contained than Shadows’ massive feudal Japan map, focusing on dense, atmospheric hubs like fortified towns or haunted forests. Expect traditional Assassin’s Creed activities—assassinations, eavesdropping, and freerunning—blended with occult-inspired mechanics, such as spell-like abilities or puzzles tied to the Alphabet of the Magi. The shift away from RPG bloat suggests a tighter, story-driven experience, potentially 20-30 hours long, appealing to fans of the series’ classic formula.

Development and Team

Assassin’s Creed Hexe is helmed by Ubisoft Montreal, with Clint Hocking, known for Far Cry 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion, leading development. The team’s experience with Valhalla and Origins ensures a high-quality production, but Hocking’s involvement signals a bold narrative shift, given his knack for innovative storytelling. Marc-Alexis Côté’s description of Hexe as a “very different” title suggests Ubisoft is experimenting with tone and mechanics to diversify the franchise, especially after Shadows leaned heavily into RPG elements.

The game is part of the Animus Hub, a platform integrating all post-Origins titles and future releases like Assassin’s Creed Invictus (a multiplayer title). This hub aims to connect narratives and offer seamless access to Hexe, potentially including modern-day story elements to address the series’ fragmented present-day plot since Desmond Miles’ death in Assassin’s Creed III.

Expectations and Challenges

Hexe’s dark tone and witch trial setting have sparked excitement for a fresh take on Assassin’s Creed, with fans hoping for a horror-infused experience that pushes the franchise’s boundaries. However, Ubisoft faces challenges: the studio’s recent struggles (Star Wars Outlaws underperformed, and Skull and Bones disappointed) and reported layoffs put pressure on Hexe to deliver. The 2026 release window pits it against GTA 6, risking overshadowed sales if not carefully timed. Additionally, balancing supernatural elements with the series’ historical grounding will be crucial to avoid alienating purists.

Fans expect Hexe to nail its atmosphere, with a gritty, oppressive world that captures the paranoia of the witch trials. Elsa’s character—a female Assassin with supernatural powers—offers a chance to explore gender dynamics in a patriarchal era, potentially making her one of the series’ most memorable protagonists. If Ubisoft delivers on the promised “different” experience, Hexe could rival Black Flag as a standout entry.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Hexe is shaping up to be a bold, haunting addition to the franchise, set for release in 2026 on the Animus Hub for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Its 16th-century Holy Roman Empire setting, centered on witch trials and Germanic mythology, promises a dark narrative driven by Elsa, a female Assassin with supernatural abilities. While not an RPG, Hexe will blend linear storytelling with open-world exploration and innovative mechanics like a Fear System, offering a fresh yet familiar experience. As Ubisoft Montreal crafts this “very different” title, Hexe has the potential to redefine Assassin’s Creed for a new era, provided it navigates development challenges and delivers on its chilling premise.