Break the Pendulum: Everything You Need to Know About 1666: Amsterdam

Over a decade after its initial announcement and subsequent cancellation, Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Désilets has officially brought his long-lost passion project back to life. Developed and published by Panache Digital Games, 1666: Amsterdam is a dark fantasy action-adventure that shifts away from standard historical stealth to embrace dark witchcraft, time-bending narratives, and supernatural investigation.

A 333-Year Cycle of Darkness Across Three Centuries

Set across three distinct eras: 1666, 1999, and the present day- 1666: Amsterdam centers on the 333-year chronological pendulum. Every three centuries, ancient primordial entities known as "The Originals" break through the thinning boundary of reality to possess humans and manipulate societal downfall. Players follow Noa Brooklyn, a young apothecary apprentice undergoing her commencement into the secretive Zaindaris coven. As "The Collector," Noa is tasked with tracking down these occult forces hidden behind ordinary faces in Golden Age Amsterdam.

Dual-Protagonist Dynamics: Witches, Cats, and Temporal Magic

The experience relies on a dual-protagonist dynamic, where Noa operates alongside Aaron—a modern-day university professor whose soul was pulled through time during a 1999 ritual, trapping him inside the body of a black cat acting as Noa's familiar. Gameplay is split into two distinct loops: during Daytime Investigation, players alternate between Noa and Aaron as Noa crafts potions and employs social stealth to avoid vigilant witch hunters, while Aaron infiltrates hard-to-reach locations, manipulates environmental mechanics, and channels energy between Lux (environmental magic) and Nux (combat magic).

Then, during Nighttime Esbats on full moons, players confront the unmasked Originals in high-stakes tactical combat, choosing whether to purge them with raw power, banish them via true names, or bind them using deep investigative clues. Ultimately, with its rich lore and innovative mechanics, Désilets' vision establishes a dark, compelling entry in modern action-adventure games. Check out our comparison website for the best pre-order deals on 1666: Amsterdam.