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A recap of AC: Origins
My relationship with Assassin's Creed is a little different.
When I was quite younger, and back when we shared just one computer as a family, my brother was the only one of my siblings that could afford to buy any videogames. One of those games were the Assassin's Creed games. I, on the other hand, remember seeing the series' ads a lot on the internet, and as someone with a life-long interest in history, I've thought it was the coolest thing ever. Not to mention, back then, open-world games were so interesting to me because it was something I've never played before, so obviously, watching him play the first game, jumping around and doing acrobatics, I always wanted to play it AT LEAST ONCE.
So so many years later, I had bought it on Steam, and before I could find time to try it out, this time it was my sister who played it -- telling me she loved it. I remember being preoccupied with some stuff then, and when it was over, I finally played it too.
And it was an absolute disappointment.
I remember thinking, "This is what I died to play?"
The "open-world" was not even that open, and the whole "complete side missions to unlock main story" was SO BAD because all the missions were the same! Not to mention the bonkers fight system...
So after that whole debacle, I gave up on the game for good -- much to my sister's dismay, because she LOVES the Ezio trilogy -- and I wanted to see İstanbul too, but I just can't get myself to play through that horrible game design ever again.
Now, flashback-back to 2024 and 2025 -- I and a moot talk about games involving Ancient Rome, moreso the Octavian era because it's my obsession after I got smitten with Augustus from Civ7. I told them about the game I was playing -- Shadow of Rome, I still haven't finished it -- and we complain about the lack of actual RPG games about Ancient Rome.
In this game, Octavian(us) has a long, Final Fantasy-like anime twink haircut. But you can actually change it into a more period-accurate hair, and he looks so cute with it! And I really like the way they did his face! Look at that nose!
When I was quite younger, and back when we shared just one computer as a family, my brother was the only one of my siblings that could afford to buy any videogames. One of those games were the Assassin's Creed games. I, on the other hand, remember seeing the series' ads a lot on the internet, and as someone with a life-long interest in history, I've thought it was the coolest thing ever. Not to mention, back then, open-world games were so interesting to me because it was something I've never played before, so obviously, watching him play the first game, jumping around and doing acrobatics, I always wanted to play it AT LEAST ONCE.
So so many years later, I had bought it on Steam, and before I could find time to try it out, this time it was my sister who played it -- telling me she loved it. I remember being preoccupied with some stuff then, and when it was over, I finally played it too.
And it was an absolute disappointment.
I remember thinking, "This is what I died to play?"
The "open-world" was not even that open, and the whole "complete side missions to unlock main story" was SO BAD because all the missions were the same! Not to mention the bonkers fight system...
So after that whole debacle, I gave up on the game for good -- much to my sister's dismay, because she LOVES the Ezio trilogy -- and I wanted to see İstanbul too, but I just can't get myself to play through that horrible game design ever again.
Now, flashback-back to 2024 and 2025 -- I and a moot talk about games involving Ancient Rome, moreso the Octavian era because it's my obsession after I got smitten with Augustus from Civ7. I told them about the game I was playing -- Shadow of Rome, I still haven't finished it -- and we complain about the lack of actual RPG games about Ancient Rome.
In this game, Octavian(us) has a long, Final Fantasy-like anime twink haircut. But you can actually change it into a more period-accurate hair, and he looks so cute with it! And I really like the way they did his face! Look at that nose!
INTERLUDE: SHADOW OF ROME.
I started playing this random ass Capcom game I've never heard of before, just because I saw Octavian is one of the protags. And at first I thought he'd just be a story character but he's actually playable, and to top it off, it's stealth! It is kind of ridiculous now I think about it, but his sections were the fun parts... The constant change between his parts (the actual story happens in his side) and the boring, repeating slashing parts of Agrippa (who's for some reason made into a gladiator of all things) made me take a break off this game.
I started playing this random ass Capcom game I've never heard of before, just because I saw Octavian is one of the protags. And at first I thought he'd just be a story character but he's actually playable, and to top it off, it's stealth! It is kind of ridiculous now I think about it, but his sections were the fun parts... The constant change between his parts (the actual story happens in his side) and the boring, repeating slashing parts of Agrippa (who's for some reason made into a gladiator of all things) made me take a break off this game.
Seriously though, why are they always 4X games?
Anyway, then they (the mutual) tell me about Origins. I am surprised, I thought it took place in Ancient Greece. Turns out that one was called Odyssey and I just combined them together in my mind. "You can fight Romans" and I'm sold like that.
I was still a bit busy then so it took me a lot of time to play the game. And at first, I didn't like it -- I thought the stealth was so butchered just for the new mechanics. The use of Senu, gear and leveling thingies, currency... I was like "What are all these?!"
I took a break, but then I returned. And I returned for good.
I did my best and actually finished the whole game with the DLCs before the 2nd week of the semester.
Anyway, then they (the mutual) tell me about Origins. I am surprised, I thought it took place in Ancient Greece. Turns out that one was called Odyssey and I just combined them together in my mind. "You can fight Romans" and I'm sold like that.
I was still a bit busy then so it took me a lot of time to play the game. And at first, I didn't like it -- I thought the stealth was so butchered just for the new mechanics. The use of Senu, gear and leveling thingies, currency... I was like "What are all these?!"
I took a break, but then I returned. And I returned for good.
I did my best and actually finished the whole game with the DLCs before the 2nd week of the semester.
One of the things about AC is its use of real life people in the stories. And once Bayek -- the protag -- gets into their tangles, it gets so much more interesting. And by then I got used to mechanics, and ruining camps, helping the people etc. There are lots to do, any while some missions seem to be repeats, most of them are interesting enough. I had a few favorites, such as Bayek being hired as a bodyguard, as well as the one with the cartographer guy with the kids. And the cat guy!
This man was a part of our four member rebel party or something. That was kinda fun to see it happen.
I laughed at this because it's relatable.
This guy probably was one of those four member thingy I mentioned. Quite fun!
This mission was quite easy and short, but I liked the story. It was about a Roman man. Apparently they always took hostages for something, but then he actually ended up adopting a Egyptian girl as his daughter.
I just found it quite funny how they're holding hands.
Another thing that I loved about AC was the scenery. Seriously, it was amazing. I took too many pics.
This man was a part of our four member rebel party or something. That was kinda fun to see it happen.
I laughed at this because it's relatable.
This guy probably was one of those four member thingy I mentioned. Quite fun!
This mission was quite easy and short, but I liked the story. It was about a Roman man. Apparently they always took hostages for something, but then he actually ended up adopting a Egyptian girl as his daughter.
I just found it quite funny how they're holding hands.
Another thing that I loved about AC was the scenery. Seriously, it was amazing. I took too many pics.
Music wasn't that good. I mean, it's not bad, but most of the time it's like reeeeeaaaaallly low ambience and I felt it was too silent. I LOVE this one that plays in the naval missions -- something I liked tbh, maybe it's a bit repeating too but I was just thinking how cool it would be to play as Agrippa.... and fighting off Antony's armies... Maybe one day we'd get a good Octavian era game -- but overall, I remember only that theme and one of the themes that played in Thebes was really nice (but I CAN'T FIND IT!!). AND NOTHING ELSE.
What did I not like very much? Firstly, the map was big for no reason. I get putting deserts in, but there were just too many empty places because of this. I mentioned the gears, the level fight system thing. It forces you to grind and while I actually like grinding in most of the games, I feel they don't really fit in the stealth based games. I guess this new addition emphasizes that AC games aren't going to be stealth based anymore. (And afaik, the whole gear thing isn't even as bad as it is in Odyssey?)
Let me finish this on a positive note: This game made me want to check out Valhalla, because I think it takes place during the formation of the Kingdom of England (Wessex and all that fight)? That era isn't my MOST wanted era, but it's close to the Norman Conquest, which particularly interests my currect first-priority writing project....... so yeah, we'll see.
What did I not like very much? Firstly, the map was big for no reason. I get putting deserts in, but there were just too many empty places because of this. I mentioned the gears, the level fight system thing. It forces you to grind and while I actually like grinding in most of the games, I feel they don't really fit in the stealth based games. I guess this new addition emphasizes that AC games aren't going to be stealth based anymore. (And afaik, the whole gear thing isn't even as bad as it is in Odyssey?)
Let me finish this on a positive note: This game made me want to check out Valhalla, because I think it takes place during the formation of the Kingdom of England (Wessex and all that fight)? That era isn't my MOST wanted era, but it's close to the Norman Conquest, which particularly interests my currect first-priority writing project....... so yeah, we'll see.