1666: Amsterdam is the long-lost sequel to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, 15 years in the making — 'It's been a long journey'

Amidst the gaming industry's focus on Rockstar's upcoming blockbuster, 1666: Amsterdam quietly came into being after 13 years of development. Created by Assassin's Creed 1 & 2 and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time director Patrice Désilets, this unique tale of sorcery and witchcraft features a hooded witch soaring across Amsterdam's rooftops and ducking through canals.

Developed in Panache Game Studios, the game was conceived after Désilets was inspired by the city's architecture and a 2011 holiday to the Dutch capital. Originally envisioned as a gothic spiritual successor to Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the project saw multiple setbacks, including the bankruptcy of THQ and Désilets' falling out with the devil persona.

However, after regaining control of his IP in 2016, Désilets retooled the game over the course of six years, incorporating ideas from his team at Panache. The result is a game that blends time periods, a focus on traversal, and the roguelite mechanic where failure reshuffles the protagonist's abilities. Despite being set in 1666, the game remains true to Désilets' signature style of vertical traversal and open-world exploration.