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Posted By Wynn Johnson Posted On

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: A Grecian Epic’s Triumphs and Trials

The end-of-year gaming rush typically brings a deluge of blockbuster titles, each vying for attention with cutting-edge technology and record-breaking sales. Established franchises often face heightened scrutiny, with long-running series attracting criticism despite pre-release hype. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, following the significant changes introduced in Origins, was no exception to this trend. Was Ubisoft simply “milking” the franchise with an annual release, or did Odyssey offer something truly special? Having invested over 60 hours in the game, I can confidently assert that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey delivers an experience worth savoring. This isn’t just an Assassin’s Creed game for fans; it’s a game every gamer should experience.

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A Tale of Two Heroes and Intertwined Destinies

Over ten mainline entries, the overarching Assassin’s Creed narrative, once a strength, has become increasingly convoluted, leaving significant plot holes and unanswered questions. However, Ubisoft continues to push the boundaries of the core Assassin-Templar conflict, exploring new historical periods and their influence on the ongoing struggle. While Origins took players back to the Brotherhood’s genesis, Odyssey ventures further back in time to the Peloponnesian War in ancient Greece, approximately 400 years earlier. This period marks the rise of the Cult of Kosmos, the precursor to the Order of the Knights Templar.

Odyssey’s campaign unfolds across multiple questlines, akin to individual odysseys, instead of traditional chapters. Each questline focuses on a different event, gradually weaving together to form a cohesive narrative. This approach, reminiscent of The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, encourages exploration and investment in the world. While players choose between two protagonists, Kassandra and Alexios, their stories intertwine regardless of the chosen character. Their shared destiny involves confrontation, but the player’s choices dictate the outcome of each encounter. Every Odyssey presents multiple options, influenced by gathered information and player decisions.

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The branching narrative, while not as impactful as in games like Mass Effect or Dragon Age, adds depth and replayability. Decisions carry weight, leading to feelings of remorse or satisfaction. Furthermore, choices ripple throughout the world, impacting the ancient Greek landscape in subtle yet noticeable ways. This element, while still developing, lays the groundwork for future installments to refine and expand upon. Players should prepare for a substantial time investment, with a minimum of 50-60 hours required to complete the main storyline, and multiple endings to discover.

Forging a Warrior’s Path

Developed in just one year, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey boasts a remarkably vast and detailed recreation of ancient Greece. Building upon the RPG elements introduced in Unity and further developed in Origins, Odyssey fully embraces the genre. Players can choose their path, becoming a skilled archer, a fierce warrior, a stealthy assassin, or a charismatic adventurer. The combat system, refined from Origins, offers a more fluid and dynamic experience, emphasizing player skill and strategic choices. The absence of shields creates a faster, more aggressive combat style, drawing comparisons to games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne.

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Three skill trees allow for diverse character builds, with no strict limitations on specialization. Players can master all three disciplines, becoming versatile warriors adept in various combat styles. Gear and level progression play a crucial role in exploration and combat, necessitating upgrades and strategic choices. Each item boasts unique stats and attributes, enhancing player abilities and combat effectiveness. Side quests offer valuable experience, resources, and narrative depth, contributing to character growth and world immersion.

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Romance, a staple of RPGs like those from BioWare and CD Projekt RED, makes its debut in Odyssey. These relationships, ranging from fleeting encounters to meaningful connections, provide moments of respite and add emotional depth to the journey. They also influence player choices and outcomes within the main storyline, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of the narrative.

Lost in a Sprawling Ancient Greece

Odyssey’s open world, while visually stunning and expansive, suffers from a lack of focus. Drawing inspiration from previous entries, including Black Flag, the game incorporates naval combat, intricate quest systems, branching narratives, and large-scale conflicts, resulting in a diluted experience. The vastness of ancient Greece, reminiscent of Tamriel, can feel overwhelming, with repetitive elements and a lack of clear direction. While offering choices, the game often forces players into specific gameplay loops regardless of their preferred playstyle. The main storyline suffers from pacing issues, employing predictable plot devices and unnecessary padding. The seamless integration of main and side quests in Origins is replaced with a convoluted and disjointed structure.

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The modern-day storyline continues to feel superfluous, with underdeveloped characters and minimal impact on the overall narrative. A final point of contention lies in the game’s lack of attention to detail regarding female character customization, particularly with armor designs. Despite Kassandra being the intended main protagonist, many outfits appear designed primarily for male characters, detracting from the immersive experience.

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Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey presents a compelling paradox. It offers a rich and expansive world, filled with engaging gameplay systems and narrative depth, yet struggles to maintain focus and deliver a cohesive experience. While the sheer scale and ambition are commendable, the game’s sprawling nature and diluted focus ultimately hinder its potential. Despite its flaws, Odyssey remains a worthwhile experience, particularly for those willing to immerse themselves in its vast and beautiful world. However, players seeking a more focused and tightly-knit narrative may find themselves overwhelmed by its sheer scope and abundance of content.

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