April 4 was Assassin’s Creed 3 protagonist Connor Kenway’s birthday, leading many to reminiscence about the character and the game. It’s a warm reception now, but it’s hard not to imagine how Connor himself was received at first. Following Ezio was not a job any Assassin could do, but in many ways, Connor was the exact opposite of him. There have often been critiques of his character and his personality as a result.
Yet, it was not and never has been as simple as that. Many fans of the franchise celebrate him today, as well as the in-game universe. It’s never really fully explored outright, but Connor becomes one of the best mentors in the franchise’s brotherhood. He plays a big role in the years to follow, truly establishing the brotherhood but also the creed in the emerging United States. His dedication to this creed is reflected in his personality, although it’s often hard to tell on just one playthrough of Assassin's Creed 3.
Assassin’s Creed 3: Connor Has a Heart of Gold
Ezio’s charm is why he is still essentially the face of the franchise, and why he was one of the most obvious picks for the recent Fortnite-Assassin’s Creed crossover skins. Connor was not charming. As Ezio grew across three games, Connor’s personality quickly jumped to show the years and challenges he faced. Ezio and many others wore their emotions on the sleeve, but Connor did not. Despite all of this, he truly believed in the brotherhood, yearned for justice, and was at times a young fool and others a wise old soul.
His more introspective aspects came with his own internal monologue—his "lack of humor" caused conflict with external forces, especially when combined with his bluntness. After the treatment of his people, Connor believed in stepping up and doing what others would not—which reason he plays such a major role in AC3’s American Revolution and the Assassin-Templar War. He was one against many, at all times, and this was reflected in his relationships.
Connor could appear cold-hearted, but oftentimes this came out of his sense of duty to all the aforementioned things. Truth was, he was both a warrior and a frightened child. This showed in what would appear to be emotional outbursts, such as when he said he did not need Achilles, but also overtly cocky such as when he stared down the Templars at the Boston Tea Party. These were callous, intentionally harmful actions, but that of a young boy becoming a man in two worlds: both of which he had to fight, one of which wanted him dead, and the other which would never accept him. It’s a lot of pressure, causing him to retreat inside himself.
Even the Worst of Assassin’s Creed 3’s Connor Came From a Good Place
Connor was often impatient, and it’s not like his intentions were always pure. He wanted revenge against Charles Lee for the burning of his village, but this comes from his righteous belief in the Creed—after so long. It didn’t begin that way, of course, and perhaps it didn’t even end that way. Yet, his impatience was often a result of the need for action, and this need for action coming from a need for change, for justice from all his best parts.
Connor could even come across as cynical, especially near the end of Assassin’s Creed 3, but the truth is pretty complex too. At this point, he had been betrayed, lost loved ones, fought a few battles, lost a few fights, and still against all odds, he pushed on. He always struggled with expression, and so it’s no surprise he did at his worst moments.
Ultimately, players learn that Achilles gave Connor the name of his deceased son: Connor Davenport. Achilles, himself very much like Connor in more ways than one, saw hope in Connor. Even at that first encounter, Achilles saw something. It was not an easy road getting to that something, but Connor was the only one who could walk it and he walked it his way.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.