The Emotional Depth of Bayek’s Journey
The resilient yet tragic Bayek of Siwa, the hero of Assassin’s Creed Origins, captured many gamers’ hearts. His journey is one of emotional loss and revenge. It is a demand for a full trilogy that could, one hopes, mirror the captivating storytelling of Assassin’s Creed II, which features Ezio Auditore. What makes Bayek’s narrative especially compelling isn’t just the simple pursuit of vengeance but the human vulnerability he displays and the emotional range of his character. His story is one not just of ancient conflict but also of a timeless and universal grief. That is strong enough medicine to bind us to a hero.
He was not just a warrior to fans; he was a father. Bayek’s personal loss, woven into the main storyline of Assassin’s Creed Origins, made him one of the most relatable protagonists in the franchise’s history. That emotional tie led many fans to reach out for the story’s continuance—similar to how they reached for the continued saga of Ezio—to the point where it became a running gag that Bayek had best become the lead protagonist in an Assassin’s Creed game and not suffer from what became a fan-trope loss. His plight was far deeper and more relevant than anything he could have achieved as a leading assassin by way of war.
Bayek’s Struggle: A Modern War for a Timeless Cause
Bayek’s reasons for battling were intimately tied to his personal life, unlike those of the ancient heroes who fought for honor or glory in the wars around them. His journey was driven by grief over the tragic death of his son, Khemu—an emotional force that connected with players on a level that transcended both the ancient and modern worlds. Losing a child is a wound that many might not be able to comprehend, but most people can intuitively understand the kind of pain that drives a bereaved parent to the edge. Indeed, sorrow—and the quest for justice in its wake—seems to be the modern, secret sauce that this game shares with many of its contemporaries.
Additionally, a strong sense of justice, a passion for protecting innocents, and the vision of founding the Hidden Ones formed the moral core of Bayek’s character. These principles resounded throughout the game and constituted the ideological spine of the Assassin Brotherhood movements that echoed for centuries and formed the backbone of many heroes’ characters. We wanted Bayek to be a champion of right and wrong. And, more than that, he needed to be the kind of character players respected and cheered for—he needed, in our way of thinking, to be the good guy.
Why Bayek Deserved More: A Trilogy Awaited
Similarly to how Assassin’s Creed II set the bar high when it came to creating a character-driven story arc—namely, the one concerning Ezio Auditore—fans of the Assassin’s Creed series believed that Bayek deserved the same kind of treatment across multiple installments of the franchise. This notion stemmed from the premise that the character of Bayek, introduced to players in Assassin’s Creed Origins, had the kind of potential to be explored in a variety of ways across a long time span, if indeed the developers were so inclined.
The final act of Assassin’s Creed Origins sets the stage for the establishment of the Hidden Ones and hints at an expansive narrative waiting to be explored. Much like how Assassin’s Creed II expanded upon Ezio’s life, Bayek’s journey had much greater potential for depth. His transformation from a vengeful father to the leader of the Hidden Ones could have been explored in a trilogy, revealing his evolution and the supposed principles that would eventually define the Assassin Brotherhood.
The Untapped Potential: Bayek’s Future in the Roman World
Assassin’s Creed Origins stands alone as a self-sufficient entry in the series but left open some enticing possibilities for future narratives. The Hidden Ones were just starting to take shape, and the prospect of Bayek expanding into other parts of the ancient world was one that many fans found fascinating. His potential journey into the Roman Empire, with all of the conflict and intrigue that setting represents, was an imagined story thread that many followers of the franchise thought could make for a really compelling sequel. And if half of the story was set in Rome, with Bayek and Aya working to establish the Assassin order in the Roman world, the other half of the story could pursue all of the potential avenues of conflict and intrigue that existed in the Empire.
A narrative like this one could have explored in greater depth the dynamic between Bayek and Aya, satisfying fans eager to see more of their shared story. If you think about the relationship dynamics that other RPGs expand upon, like Geralt’s with Yennifer or Triss, giving the possibility of a second game plenty of room to make the emotional payoff land, Bayek and Aya’s partnership could have been further layered. Worse than not doing anything with them would have been doing something half-heartedly.
Bayek: The Foundational Figure of the Assassin Brotherhood
Bayek’s legacy is bound to the very beginnings of the Assassin Brotherhood. As the literal founder of the Hidden Ones, his role in shaping the principles and values of the Brotherhood is fundamental and far-reaching. His journey is also personal; but it is much more than personal. It is a historical journey that lays the groundwork for the future of the Assassins as they secretly and influence civs all across the world—in and out of their citizens’ lives—over the course of centuries. A great opportunity was left uncapitalized by Ubisoft here to not only explore that foundation (and the riveting personal story of Bayek) but also to greatly expand upon the lore of the Brotherhood.
Fans are still heavily invested in Bayek’s story and are quite speculative about the potential character arcs they think he might have taken in a trilogy. They wonder:
- Would he have succeeded in establishing the Assassins across the Roman Empire?
- How would his philosophy evolve over time, and what challenges would he face as the organization he founded grew?
Unanswered, these questions allow us to imagine what a story expansion on the order of Ezio’s might have done to solidify Bayek as the central figure in not only Origins but the franchise as a whole.
Expert Interview: A Closer Look at Bayek’s Legacy in Assassin’s Creed Origins
Interviewer: Today, we have the esteemed [Expert’s Name], a respected historian of video games and a specialist in Assassin’s Creed lore, with us to talk about the part Bayek plays in Assassin’s Creed Origins. Thank you for joining us, [Expert’s Name]!
Expert: Thanks for having me! It is a pleasure to discuss a character who is so complex and so deeply human.
Interviewer: One of the most compelling emotional journeys in the Assassin’s Creed series has been Bayek’s. What do you think made him such a relatable protagonist?
Expert: Bayek’s journey is oriented around one of the most universally shared human experiences—mourning the loss of a loved one and seeking justice. Previous protagonists have been driven by external factors, but Bayek is motivated by intensely personal reasons—his story and our experience as players are about ancient political intrigue, sure, but it’s also about the age-old story of a father who has lost everything.
Interviewer: Is there a chance we might see more of Bayek’s story in future Assassin’s Creed titles?
Expert: Certainly. Assassin’s Creed Origins delivers a powerful conclusion that really sets us up for more exploration of the Hidden Ones in future titles, particularly in the Roman world. Bayek is such a compelling character who holds a unique, and quite significant, place in the lore of Assassin’s Creed. While his story could very well stand alone as the one we follow in a forthcoming trio of games, there’s also ample opportunity for the franchise to explore the way tavern music hops through the centuries—something we were given just a taste of in this game.
Interviewer: In your opinion, what are the factors that could have made a Bayek trilogy shine when contrasted with the storyline of Ezio?
Expert: Even though Ezio’s trilogy revolved around his evolution from a young noble to a master assassin, Bayek’s trilogy had the potential to shed light on the formation of the Assassin Brotherhood. We could have seen justice, morality, and leadership as its main themes, all aspects that could have made for an interesting deep dive into Bayek’s character and the philosophies he holds that form the basis of the Assassin Brotherhood.
Interviewer: Why is Bayek such an important figure in the Assassin’s Creed universe? Any final thoughts?
Expert: Bayek is not just a key character in the Assassin’s Creed lore; he is also the embodiment of the balance between personal vendetta and moral obligation. He stands for the human side of the Assassins—not just action and political machinations. His character serves as a profound assertion of what it means to really fight for a cause. His legacy is solidly in place and continues to mold the Brotherhood, even if his adventure hasn’t been fully realized.
Interviewer: I really appreciate your taking the time, [Expert’s Name], to provide your perspective on Bayek and what Assassin’s Creed Origins is all about. I enjoyed our conversation!
Expert: It was my pleasure! I look forward to seeing the story of Bayek continue in the future.
Author Bio:
[Author’s Name] has many years of experience in the gaming journalism arena. They work chiefly in the narrative-driven space, focusing on character development. They’ve understood the series thoroughly, and they’ve been its champion for a long time. If you want to know about the Assassin’s Creed series and its iconic characters, [Author’s Name] is a good person to ask.
For further reading, you can explore more on the gamesradar article, and find additional insights on PSU.
