New Assassin's Creed Hexe Protagonist May Be an Auditore Descendant

When you talk about Assassin’s Creed, one name immediately echoes through the corridors of gaming history with more grace than a Leap of Faith: Ezio Auditore da Firenze. For the vast majority of fans, the Italian assassin isn’t just another protagonist of one chapter of Ubisoft’s franchise – he is its definitive soul and the point where many players truly started their journey with the series.

From his charismatic transformation in Assassin’s Creed II to his weary wisdom in Revelations, Ezio captured our hearts because we didn’t just play as him. We lived his entire life! It was through his eyes that we explored the sheer charm of Renaissance Italy while that legendary Jesper Kyd soundtrack played in the background. It was with him that we befriended Leonardo da Vinci, learning more about the painter’s creative mind than any history book could ever teach us. And, of course, it was with him that we literally got into a fistfight with the Pope (who was a Templar, so it’s okay!).

And Ubisoft is fully aware of this collective affection for the character, as they never miss a chance to drop a cheeky reference to our favorite Italian on their social media, keeping the embers of nostalgia burning from time to time.

But it seems that for their next big project, the company is planning more than just a simple nod or a legacy outfit, and they are finally about to answer the fans’ appeals and dig into the very roots of the Auditore family tree.

The Darkest Chapter of the Creed

But before we Leap of Faith into that, we need some context: among the five Assassin’s Creed projects currently in the oven, one stands out: Assassin’s Creed Hexe. Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the heavy hitters behind Valhalla, this upcoming chapter is promised to be a massive open-world RPG set in 16th-century Central Europe.

Officially, Ubisoft has been keeping this project locked in a high-security vault, only teasing that it will be the darkest entry in the series to date, set during the terrifying era of the Witch Trials under the Inquisition. We’ve literally had no trailers, not a single official image, no release window, and zero information beyond that brief description – well, until now.

That’s because recent leaks from two insiders, known as Rogue and j0nathan on the internet (via Reddit), have started to shine a light on the shadows. And let me tell you, the details might make even a grown fan shed a tear (not that I did that, okay?).

What the Hexe Leaks Tell Us

According to these reports, we will step into the boots of a protagonist named Anika (with “Elsa” currently being used as a placeholder name, corroborating previous leaks). The protagonist won't be alone, though. She reportedly has a morally grey mentor named Wolfgang, whose harsh methods will likely clash with the Assassin ideology.

Following this female character, the game will probably be centered in Würzburg, which is a historical masterstroke, as Germany was the violent epicenter of the European witch hunts back then. There will be other regions to explore, of course, but it sounds like the German city will be the main hub for the entire story.

That is also pretty exciting since it is a refreshing departure from Salem, which has become a bit of a cliché for witch hunt plots nowadays, making many believe that it would be the primary setting due to the theme. But it seems the developers opted for a much grittier and less predictable setting that I, for one, am absolutely here for!

Digging now into the gameplay leaks, everything sounds equally intense: NPCs will be able to report “suspicious activity” almost immediately, the player will be hunting for ritual sites, and there’s even a skill for “tree-to-tree branch jumping”. Oh, and most importantly, the dialogue suggests Anika herself is being hunted as a witch, amping up that somber, oppressive atmosphere Ubisoft promised.

A Legacy Written in Memory

However, things start to get really interesting when the leaks mention Anika’s lineage. If you’ve played the Ezio Trilogy, you know the name Claudia Auditore. She’s Ezio’s fierce sister, who became a Master Assassin in her own right, and is reportedly the direct ancestor of the protagonist in AC Hexe.

And this is where the magic happens: Ezio Auditore himself might be returning, but not as a resurrected hero or a cheap multiverse gimmick. The reports suggest he will appear via Isu technology or supernatural manifestations, acting as a “memory” that stands as an ideological counterweight to Wolfgang’s controversial ways.

There are also some leaked voicelines that are enough to give any fan goosebumps. Just imagine hearing Ezio’s voice, heavy with that iconic Italian accent, saying: "Come. Leap with me. One last time for an old man," or reminding Anika of the iconic Creed’s core tenet: "Nulla è reale, tudo è lecito" – the classic “Nothing is real, everything is permitted”.

More Than Just Nostalgia Bait

What’s most interesting about analyzing these recent leaks, though, is that it sounds like Ezio will truly have narrative weight in Assassin’s Creed Hexe, even without being fully back in the flesh. This reported “memory-technology” appearance matters a lot because it simply allows Ubisoft to use Ezio as a moral compass rather than just a marketing tool for mere fan service.

And we can go even further: by placing the legendary mentor’s wisdom in direct opposition to the harsh reality of the 16th-century witch hunts, they are forcing the Creed (and also the player) to reflect on what “freedom” really means when the world is on fire, reigniting that same profound sentiment that once echoed through the streets of Italy.

As a fan, I’m both ecstatic and terrified of this idea. Bringing back Ezio is a very bold move. He is the most sacred icon in the Assassin’s Creed pantheon, and messing with his legacy requires surgical precision. But if Ubisoft pulls this off, Hexe could be the ultimate bridge between the franchise’s glorious past and its future. And pretty much everything suggests the developers are on the right track, with their hidden blades sharpened and ready to surprise us!

However, as we’ve learned before, with great power comes the risk of sudden desynchronization. This means that, for now, we’ll have to wait in the shadows of Würzburg to see if the Auditore legacy will truly be awakened in a way that transports us back to 2009. I sure hope so.