GameCentral went hands-on with 1666: Amsterdam, the long-awaited historical fantasy from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets, where players control both a witch and a cat. The game launches in early access on PC on August 25, 2026, priced at $29.99, with a full release expected in 2027.
Development Journey and Legal Battles
1666: Amsterdam began development at THQ Montreal in 2010. When Ubisoft acquired the studio in 2013, they suspended the project and fired Désilets, sparking a lawsuit over rights. The matter was settled in 2016, with Désilets regaining full rights. Development restarted at his studio, Panache Digital Games, with the game re-revealed at Summer Game Fest this year.
According to Désilets, the final game shares little with the original vision except the dual timeline and setting. The key addition, witchcraft, came when development restarted in 2020.
Gameplay: Witch and Cat Mechanics
Players control Noa Brooklyn, a witch stealing power from demonic entities called 'the originals,' and Aaron, a man from 1999 transformed into a cat. The prologue on Steam offers limited interaction, but our hands-on session revealed more.
Combat involves staff attacks, dodges, and spells like exploding barrels. Later spells include levitation, rebuilding structures, petrifying enemies, and teleportation. The game features a rogue-lite loop where abilities are randomized each hunt.
Switching between Noa and Aaron is central to puzzle-solving. Noa can open windows for Aaron to enter and unlock doors. Aaron can also possess people scared of cats, allowing control of civilians to access restricted areas.
World and Presentation
The Amsterdam recreation is detailed, with cramped canal houses and narrow staircases. The game is made by a 60-person team, giving it an ambitious indie feel. However, our preview revealed issues: cat controls felt imprecise, and signposting was confusing in a hatch puzzle.
Boss fights against a generic demon (reminiscent of Stranger Things' Mind Flayer) appear repetitive, which could dampen replayability.
Early Access Strategy
1666: Amsterdam launches in early access, a rare move for a single-player game, similar to Hades 2 and Baldur's Gate 3. The developers hope player feedback will refine the experience over the next year.
Despite its rough edges, the game's off-the-rails Assassin's Creed pitch is enticing. Whether Panache can find the magic remains to be seen, but our curiosity is piqued.
