Note: This review was written after playing an (admittedly) absurd 78 hours of the game on PS4 and after completion of the main story. Assassin’s Creed: Origins was released on PS4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on October 27th, 2017.
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Most people are familiar with the basic set-up of an Assassin’s Creed game by now. The player is actually a present-day or near-future character who is accessing the memories of someone long dead through the use of a device known as the Animus, a machine that is able to decode memories stored in DNA. The early games followed the protagonist Desmond Miles (a descendant of several notable assassins throughout the centuries) who is person of interest to Abstergo, a nefarious technology company that seeks to control humanity through whatever means possible. Later entries have seen the introduction of nameless and faceless present-day characters. Origins once again finds us with an actual person accessing the Animus, and launches us into the eventful origins of the Assassin Brotherhood.
The Set-up and Basic Story
Assassin’s Creed Origins opens with our main character, a man known as Bayek, the last Medjay of Egypt. The introduction is somewhat confusing as the story very rapidly accelerates to a year later. Here we find Bayek locked into a quest for vengeance for some unknown reason. The player is launched into a simple boss fight almost instantly and then introduced to basic mechanics of gameplay.
The introductory portion of the game takes place in the city of Siwa, which is also the place where Bayek lives. In this early gameplay, the player is prevented from moving beyond this section of the map. Upon completion of this initial segment, the player is then free to explore wherever the wind takes them.
Early missions in the game effectively introduce the player to the world around them and the way it works. You’ll help prepare Bayek to move beyond into the larger world of Egypt. The story takes place during the rule of Ptolemy XIII and his sister, the well-known Cleopatra. Cleopatra is currently deposed as ruler and on the run while Ptolemy rules over Egypt.
Other notable historical characters include famous Romans Pompey and Julius Caesar. Players may be surprised to find a large amount of Greek and Roman influence in Egypt during the time period that the game takes place, leading to exploration of large developed cities like Alexandria and Cyrene. Bayek soon becomes embroiled in a conspiracy larger than he could have imagined and seeks to carry out his duty as Medjay and defend the fate of Egypt.
Gameplay
One of the most radical changes in the Assassin’s Creed formula is seen in the gameplay. AC: Origins has definitely taken a few hints from the hugely successful The Witcher 3 in its approach to this new adventure. The open world of Origins is massive and features a variety of locations to explore – including cities, towns, wilderness, tombs, and more.
As stated above, once the introductory portion of the game is completed, the player is free to explore the map as they see fit, although the map is separated into leveled regions resulting in the player encountering much more difficult enemies in certain areas. The game features an overhauled combat system that includes a standard light and heavy attack, holding buttons down to produce different attacks, and seamless inclusion of bow weapons into melee combat. The game also includes many RPG elements missing from previous installments including leveled weapons, craftable gear, ability trees, and more.
Climbing is also better than ever, but some well-received movements from games past have been strangely removed, such as vaulting moves that made movement over smaller objects and walls quick and easy.
Overall, it feels like an Assassin’s Creed game in a much larger RPG-styled world and, for the most part, it is a welcome change. Fighting is simple, yet strategic, and the game offers many situations in which the player can adjust their gameplay experience to fit their preference whether that be an all-out brawl attack on a fort or a more nuanced stealth approach from the shadows.
As the saying goes…
The devil is in the details and this is where AC: Origins truly shines as a feat of the gaming industry. AC: Origins is beautiful. From the sprawling desert to the lush oases, to the populated cities, it all looks great. In addition to the graphics, the game is also accompanied by another fantastic score, a mainstay of Assassin’s Creed games.
However, many other details of the game truly flesh it out. NPC characters, for instance, have much more intricate lives within the game world. Soldiers and other enemies have much more realistic and unpredictable patrol routes and behaviors. Many of the side quests in the game also feel as if they are very relevant to the world around Bayek and often interweave with the setting and events of the main story. There are so many small details in the game that really make it feel like a labor of love. Game designers have clearly spent a lot of time making Bayek’s world seem as detailed, intricate, and realistic as possible, and it makes all the difference.
Final Word
Assassin’s Creed: Origins was well worth the wait. Long-time fans and new players alike will enjoy the vast and detailed world of ancient Egypt. Gameplay changes, while a little jarring to past fans, seem overall to have been made for the better, and the game plays like a more cohesive experience than ever before. Ubisoft’s decision to take more time to craft this new adventure was well worth it and has shown the gaming community that great things will continue to come.
Ultimately, the wait was worth it.
