Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PS4, XB1, PC
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As I have mentioned many times before, Ubisoft are renowned for well and truly destroying the Assassin’s Creed franchise. From appalling bugs on release date that require a huge patch to rectify, poor multiplayer and games stacked with microtransactions, it is no wonder that they felt they needed to take a break after Syndicate, although they did release a film, which was equally as poor in my opinion.
For this trip in the animus, we are sent all the way back to Ancient Egypt during the time of the great Pharaoh and the pyramids to discover the origins of the order of assassins. As we are placed in the shoes of Bayek, a Mejia who has sworn on oath to protect the people of Egypt, we are taken on a road that is paved with both good intentions and revenge as we join him and his wife in acting their special revenge on the people who murdered their son. Along the way, we cross paths with Cleopatra and Ptolemy the Second, possibly the most incapable Pharaoh to have ever ruled. The main story is both engaging and interesting, filled with Egyptian lore and stories of their many gods.
It must be said that the trailers for Assassin’s Creed Origins looked amazing, and it here that this game really shines. Ubisoft have to be given credit for the attention to detail they really put into creating their gaming world, and Origins is no different. Everything from the ancient pyramids to the rolling sand dunes of ancient Egypt have been faithfully recreated to really bring you one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed game worlds to date. Some people may say that the some areas of the map are barren and just full of canyons, but that isn’t the case. For those who really look, Origins has a wealth of secrets just waiting for you to find.
Ubisoft have also changed the combat system, instead using a system that is somewhat similar to Dark Souls. Initially, this system was full of bugs and flaws, but since they have had the time to patch it, it has now become a fluid, even graceful system that feels like it actually works. There is also a reasonably fair loot system, as the game drops weapons that are the same level as you, meaning there is really no need to spend on the microtransactions this game includes. These range from cosmetic items such as costumes and new mounts to legendary weapons, however these weapons are available in game for those of you who really want to find them.
Assassin’s Creed Origins has paved the way for a brighter future for Ubisoft’s flagship franchise, but this game is not without its problems. It is still filled with numerous bugs, such as random glitches and mission objectives not appearing in game, and one thing I did find is that the rewards they include in the series do not seem like they were worth the effort to obtain (such as the ‘master suit’).
As it stands, this is by far the best Assassin’s Creed game since Black Flag and it is obvious that Ubisoft have put a lot of work into making a game that the fans really wanted. It is not perfect, far from it, but it is a firm step in the right direction.
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