More Than Villains: The Deeper Purpose of Germain and Torres in Assassin's Creed
François-Thomas Germain and Laureano Torres are thoughtfully crafted antagonists, effective in their own right. Still, they often face criticism from fans due to how their stories connect with the protagonists’ journeys. Unlike characters like Al Mualim, the Borgias, Haytham, and Charles Lee, who follow a traditional "man vs. man" story structure, Germain and Torres offer more introspective conflicts leading to character growth. While a classic hero-vs-villain structure is often compelling, Assassin’s Creed has also explored other themes like "man vs. nature," "man vs. self" (seen with Edward or Altair), and even "man vs. organization." Recent games have leaned toward dismantling organizations rather than focusing on single antagonists, which has shifted the narrative dynamics in the series.
In the case of Edward, Torres isn’t simply an enemy to defeat. In many ways, Edward begins his journey as the story’s antagonist, driven by selfish goals. As a man of status and conviction, Torres represents everything Edward seeks, though he often looks in the wrong places. Killing Torres becomes a turning point, marking Edward’s transformation as he embraces the Assassins’ ideals, finds his place, and takes on the role his friends and family need him to be.
Similarly, for Arno, the conflict with Germain is less about overcoming an antagonist and more about recognizing the dangers of obsession. Germain’s fanaticism reveals to Arno what his own fears and obsessions could lead him toward. Rather than defeating Germain alone, Arno learns to let go of what’s beyond his control, freeing himself to become the Assassin his world needs. These narratives show how various storytelling approaches benefit the series, with each game offering fresh dimensions to the protagonist’s journey while preventing the series from feeling like a repetitive hero-versus-villain cycle.
