Assassin’s Creed Pirates Trailer: The High Seas on a Small Screen

Assassin’s Creed is a franchise that seems to be trying to work itself adrift from the concept of assassination and the ongoing battle between Assassin’s and Templars. Assassin’s Creed III featured a protagonist who seemed to only join the Assassin club for the cool clothes and weapons, and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag largely drops the pretense of being an Assassin game at all, instead letting the player run wild as pirate Edward Kenway.

In Assassin’s Creed Pirates, the protagonist is neither an Assassin nor a Templar and it sounds like the two factions only make cameo appearances. Despite the pirate ship repeatedly turning into what looks like the Jackdaw in this new trailer for Assassin’s Creed Pirates, the mobile title isn’t about Edward Kenway but another pirate, Alonzo Batilla.

Little is known about Alonzo at this point, but pirates generally seem to have a clear set of goals that start with booty and end with infamy, and Alonzo is no exception. He’s looking for the mythical treasure of famed pirate Olivier Levasseur AKA La Buse, and the way to get it is by blowing many other ships to pieces.

The gameplay in Assassin’s Creed Pirates seems to be confined to naval battles, with Alonzo himself only appearing in 2D art. There’s no leaping off buildings or sneaking through tall grass here – just lots of sailin’ and shootin’ and plunderin’. For those who are in love with the more boaty aspects of Assassin’s Creed IV’s gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Pirates looks like a decent distraction for $4.99.