Combat Has Completely Changed
A lot has changed for the Assassin’s Creed franchise since its last release two years ago. A variety of elements have either been completely altered or built anew from the ground up, in fact, ranging from combat, exploration, incorporation of RPG elements, and more. Here’s a condensed look at everything that’s changed in Assassin’s Creed Origins, and here’s hoping that these welcome additions become a mainstay for the series.
The Batman: Arkham Asylum-esque free-form combat that was once a given in every Assassin’s Creed title can no longer be found in Origins, as protagonist Bayek controls much like a knight would in Dark Souls. Attacks are much slower and should be given thought before executing, as enemies are much smarter and could potentially be a higher level than the player. They live on the right bumper and trigger while defenses live on the left trigger, meaning players will have to keep a diligent eye on every attacker lest Bayek dies from a barrage of arrows. Enemies do indeed all fight at once, though thankfully dodge and roll features can be used to quickly get out the way.
A variety of weapons provides a plethora of unique fighting styles to use too. From swords and spears to arrows and tridents, Origins forces the player to mix up their gameplay experience as new enemies are thrown their way. The hidden blade can no longer be used for every execution, even, as some foes are ineffective to it. There are bosses to defeat in Origins, by the way, each one posing a unique challenge that the player must figure out how to get around. Should one be brave enough to face even tougher opposition, there’s also The Arena that pits Bayek against different feats like waves of hordes or one-on-one showdowns.
It’s important to note that stealth isn’t as emphasized as in the past here, despite this being a game about assassins. There are still assassination missions to be found, of course, which force the player to sneak in shadows or hide in bushes until the coast is clear, but picking off enemies from a distance is very possible too. The point is that Assassin’s Creed Origins gives players a lot of freedom in the type of combat they wish to execute, making for a versatile, satisfying experience no matter one’s preference.
There Are Now Lots of RPG Elements
Side-quests, loot, and character customization are all indicative of the Assassin’s Creed series finally introducing a host of new RPG elements for fans to mull over. Instead of following one straight story path, Origins encourages players to run around the game’s open world to gain levels before tackling new story missions, as these stages are gated by character level. Side-quests can thereby be initiated by talking to NPCs as in The Witcher 3, with a marker onscreen guiding players to whatever location they need to go to. Gone is the mini-map of old that highlighted dozens of chests and missions in the player’s vicinity, as a quest-based system is now very much in place.
The successful completion of these quests yields various rewards aside from just leveling up Bayek. Whereas in games prior there was never any sense of customization, Origin’s protagonist allows players to upgrade the character depending on their gameplay preference. For example, if one sees him or herself usually applying a stealthy approach when dealing with enemies, he or she can upgrade silent abilities accordingly. The same goes for those who prefer the more straightforward approach, as a host of weapon and armor upgrades are available as well. Skill trees in Origins carry more weight and there’s more incentive to invest carefully than in prior entries, in other words.
Taking a page from another Ubisoft series, crafting also finds a place in the game. Bracers, armor, shields, and more can be upgraded and improved upon from hunting Egypt’s wildlife using a series of simple inventory screens. The wildlife skins required to craft each material is specifically outlined and everything in the way of upgrades is connected and easy to follow. While hunting, players will also acquire plenty of loot and bonuses including enhanced weapons, rare armor, and the ability to heal faster, meaning they’ll constantly find themselves out on the desert sands in search of the newest way to make Bayek even more powerful.
There’s Open World Exploration
Speaking of the setting of Assassin’s Creed Origins, players will find for themselves a vast ancient Egyptian landscape to explore and roam freely in. Taking place before the war between Assassins and Templars even existed, the newest entry in the franchise chooses to eschew the feud in favor of focusing on gameplay and the world it takes place in. As previously outlined, interacting with the setting is very encouraged from the outset through side quests and great loot, though this is only aided further in the inclusion of outposts that Bayek can invade and take on leveled enemies in.
A literal bird’s eye view of the game’s world can be seen by the protagonist’s feathered friend Senu who, when called upon, can mark targets, treasures, or animals to be hunted in the future. Any place of interest can be outlined for the player to get back to – including enemies who lie within an outpost that has yet to be raided – giving he or she the ability to see outlines through walls and track every move.
Aside from more utilitarian functions, Senu is a great way to marvel at Origin’s breathtaking views. Though the ability to climb is a little more limited, the game captures Egypt’s beauty well and prominently puts it on full display, from the lush green Faiyum Region to the expansive depths of the Nile (which are also fully explorable, mind you). From air, land, and sea, it’s clear that Ubisoft took immense pride in Assassin Creed’s new setting.
History Is Much More Important
There’s a greater importance placed on education and learning in Assassin’s Creed Origins that hasn’t been fully explored in previous titles despite the series always having a historic setting. This is most evident in the game’s Discovery Tour mode, which is completely devoid of any kind of combat in favor of immersing players in details and factoids surrounding Ancient Egypt. There are dozens of tours to be experienced that have been curated by actual historians and Egyptologists, in fact, backing creative director Jean Guesdon’s claim that the mode “is another way to enjoy the beauty of the world we’ve recreated.”
The rich and enthralling world of ancient Egypt feels alive yet grounded, unsheathing the mysteries and intricacies of the locale that stills baffles historians today. Assassin’s Creed Origins could very well be the gateway in which many people discover a passion for history, which is something the development team at Ubisoft could take a lot of pride in. Out of all the new mechanics that have been introduced to the series through Origins, this is one that’s perhaps most deserving to stay.
All in all, to fully grasp at all the new additions Assassin’s Creed Origins has to offer, it’s perhaps best to try out the game for oneself. The title will be available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One this Friday. Try not to get lost in a desert oasis until then.
About the author
