Following a brutal round of cancellations that saw six projects—including a nearly finished Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake—get axed, the French publisher is clinging to its most beloved franchise to steady the ship. In a move that feels like a calculated embrace of nostalgia, rumors are now swirling that the next mainline Assassins Creed installment, the long-awaited Assassins Creed Hexe, may bring back the series’ most iconic character: Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
The Mentor Returns
According to prominent industry insider Tom Henderson of Insider Gaming, early plans for Assassins Creed Hexe feature a substantial role for the legendary Florentine Assassin. Speaking on the Insider Gaming Weekly podcast, Henderson claimed that Ezio is expected to appear roughly halfway through the game, serving as a mentor to the new protagonist, Elsa.
“Ezio was supposed to appear halfway through the game to kind of teach her the ways of the Assassins and all that kind of stuff,” Henderson stated. The idea is that Elsa, who reportedly possesses witch-like abilities in the supernatural-tinged narrative, would learn the traditional skills of the Brotherhood from the master himself, grounding the story in classic Assassins Creed territory.
This would mark Ezio’s first major appearance in the series since 2011’s Assassin’s Creed Revelations, making it a monumental moment for long-time fans.
A Historical Hurdle
There is, of course, a significant historical snag. Assassin’s Creed Hexe is set during the brutal European witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, with the action taking place towards the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Ezio Auditore died in 1524. The peak of the witch trials occurred decades later, in the 1560s and beyond.
However, Assassin’s Creed has always played fast and loose with historical fiction for the sake of a good story. A younger Ezio, a memory sequence, or a shift in the game’s timeline could easily accommodate his presence. As one analyst noted, a connection via the Memory Discs seen in Revelations is also theoretically possible.
A Radical Overhaul and a 2027 Window
The rumors of Ezio’s return come amid reports that Hexe is undergoing a massive transformation. Henderson reports that Ubisoft has completely revamped the combat system to match the game’s darker, more disturbing tone. In a striking detail, the studio has reportedly hired professional contortionists for motion capture sessions, aiming for a fluid, acrobatic, and intentionally “uncanny” fighting style that reflects Elsa’s supernatural connections.
This ambitious overhaul has reportedly pushed the game’s release window back. Previously expected in 2026, Hexe is now rumored to be targeting a Holiday 2027 launch. This delay, while perhaps disappointing, aligns with the game’s potential as a centerpiece for the franchise’s 20th anniversary.
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“The Most Exciting Project”
Despite the recent departure of creative director Clint Hocking, internal morale at Ubisoft Montreal is reportedly “extremely high”. Developers are said to consider Hexe the most exciting project currently in production, thanks to its unique horror-focused vision.
For fans who have longed for the golden days of Ezio Auditore, this news is electrifying. Henderson himself noted that this was the “plan,” but cautioned that he is uncertain if the cameo has survived recent leadership changes. As always with rumors, a healthy dose of skepticism is advised until Ubisoft makes an official announcement. But the prospect of hearing that iconic Italian accent once more is enough to make any long-time fan say, “We’re so back.”