Detailed Analysis - Narration & Context
Database Entries
Making a return is the inclusion of the Animus database entries. Throughout the story, Desmond would be able to learn more about the individuals, locations, and groups he would encounter throughout Ezio’s and Altair’s memories. Where in the past the entries were made by Shaun with his vast knowledge that was not the case this time around. With the Animus in safe mode, so Desmond’s mind can remain intact, Desmond’s Assassin team is not able to monitor any activity in the Animus and does not know what is going on inside the Animus. Database entries are instead made by subject 16 who as well as writing these database entries, is keeping the Animus from finding Desmond and erasing him. Subject 16’s entries don’t typically differ from Shaun’s although we can learn more about how Subject 16 details his entries. Where Shaun focuses on being factual with a dash of sarcasm, 16 adds a dash of personal flair, typically with entries about the individuals themselves as he too is related to Ezio and Altair and might have his views on them.
The Modern Assassin's
During Desmond’s time on Animus Island, he can take breaks from his exploration of Ezio’s and Altair’s memories and explore his own experiences. While he is unable to interact with anyone on the outside, he can hear some of the conversations, Shaun and Rebecca have together, as well as his father, William, chiming in now and then. While Desmond is busy trying to achieve a Sync Nexus, it’s good to know that we are still in safe hands, as that was a worry we had from the Brotherhood. The loss of Lucy has devastated Shaun and Rebecca, who are forced to continue, otherwise, they risk getting killed and losing Desmond to the Templars. They are not alone this time, however, as they are now joined by Desmond’s father, William, an Assassin who is leading the team now.
While Desmond is in the Animus, we see the effects, of Lucy’s killing and Desmond’s coma have impacted the team greatly. Shaun with his past knowledge is weary of Desmond being a sleeper agent for Abstergo and continues to dwell on Lucy’s death. Rebecca, being the opposite, is throwing herself into her work and focusing on Desmond’s care rather than dwelling on Lucy. William is ecstatic at the prospect of finally having a POE and finally having a leg up on the Templars, which frustrates and worries the others. The death of Lucy hangs over all of them, especially William. Having trained both Desmond and Lucy, he expresses deep regret at what has transpired. We also learn that Lucy confided in Shaun that she liked Desmond. This is good because we get to learn more about the doubts and their feelings about what has transpired. It’s also deep to see that even though the Assassins who should be used to death, are greatly disheartened when one of them dies.
We also learn something fascinating about Desmond, his genes contain a high concentration of First Civilization DNA, which is what allows him the gift of Eagle Vision, among other things. It is also safe to say that due to their ability to wield the Apple’s they’ve encountered and their gift of Eagle Vision, Altair, and Ezio had the same amount of Precursor DNA. It becomes evident that the Assassins seem to be traveling somewhere in a hurry. It seems the coordinates Ezio found in the Temple he and Leonardo Da Vinci found have told the Assassins where the Grand Temple is and are on their way. The scales in the Assassin-Templar war are at a tipping point, and as we’ve learned from William, he hopes there might be something in the Temple that can tip the scales in the Assassin’s favor. After seeing how much more resources the Templars have, the Assassins could certainly use a boost if they expect to keep fighting. Being able to check in on the team was a great aspect of Brotherhood and because of Desmond’s coma, it was good to see them be a bit wearier of Desmond as the times ahead will be tested between the team.
The Modern Templar's - Multiplayer
In Brotherhood, we learned that the Templars were using genetic data, to train and hone the skills of their field agents so that they can hunt the Assassins. We would play as different Abstergo agents who would be competing with each other and if they succeeded they would be advancing to the next phase of training and then eventually would be put out into the field hunting Assassins. We’ve known for a long time that the Modern Day Templars have so much more resources than the Assassins but this is the first time we’ve been able to see what they can offer their top field agents. In Revelation’s multiplayer we follow the story of a yet unknown Abstergo agent who is quickly rising through the ranks of the Templars. We also get to check in with Dr. Warren Vidic. The last time we saw him, he was giving his speech to the new Abstergo recruits about to enter the Animus training program.
As the recruit advances through the training program, they are also slowly indoctrinated into the ideology and the history of the Templar Order. Vidic starts to single out an agent who is showing exceptional promise that he will be the one to pass through the Animus training. As the training progresses this agent is given many benefits that the Templars have access to: Expensive watches, limos with champagne, lush homes and so much more. Vidic continues to indoctrinate the recruit, about the mundane lives of people and the things they worry about such as mortgages, waiting lists, and bills. Vidic promises a life for the agent where they can be at the top of every list for transportation, cooks, and how their children will attend the best schools and parents will be cared for as well as their security guaranteed. He also remarks about how life is an unwinnable game for most and how that is how the Templars have engineered it to be so.
We knew that Abstergo gifted their most valuable assets with incredible benefits that would make their life incredibly comfortable. As Vidic tells us, the agent can have everything they want and for the people, they love and care for but in doing this they also create a trap that the recruit cannot escape from. By showering the recruits with gifts and riches as well as continuing to indoctrinate them to real history, they blindside the recruits so that by the time they have progressed so far, they cannot turn back as the Templars will not allow them to back out. Even if they do not want to back out, Abstergo gives them so much to lose that fear of failure will be a useful tool for the agents and make them more effective.
Eventually, the recruit that Vidic has been mentoring is invited to the Templar “Inner Sanctum”, a room beautifully decorated with sculptures and Templar portraits. There we meet a new Templar, Laetitia England, someone whose very presence and demeanor highlight her importance and her power. The recruit will not be sent to the frontlines as the Templars ramp up their effort to eliminate the remaining and scattered Assassins. Naturally mistrustful, Laetitia has a way to solve this, having another Templar named Daniel injects a tracking chip into the recruit. Initially coming up behind the recruit, Daniel attempts to inject the recruit, but England stops him only for her to give the order. Laetitia is someone who believes in the power of her status and the power she holds over others. The recruit is planted with a chip and is now officially a Master Templar. His first mission is to retrieve the Leader of the Assassins, William Miles, who has now been located. The thought of the Templars eliminating or worse capturing the leader of the Assassins is a frightening thought.
Revelation’s bought back the multiplayer component from Brotherhood and improved upon it in brilliant storytelling and contextual ways. By placing an actual recruit as the character we play, even though they are nameless or faceless, we are given an exciting narrative that gives the player a better idea of how the Templars operate and indoctrinate their agents so that they are loyal, skilled, and most importantly dangerous. Desmond by himself can help turn the tide of the war in the Assassin’s favor and if an army of Templars have their skills, then the Assassin may not be long for this world. We also know that whenever Desmond’s journey begins in the next entry, he may be hounded and hunted by the newly made Master Templar, who at the very least is hunting for William.