Assassin's Creed Origins (PS4)

I wasn’t the biggest of fans of the assassins creed series, after playing the first game on release, and finding it not all I thought it would be due to the breaking of immersion between the point in history and the way it kept thrusting you into modern day. It was a formula kept throughout the series, but thankfully the instances gradually got shorter, which is a good thing, because the series has covered some amazing and pertinent points in history, even if they have had to use more than a little artistic licence, to tie you into the major events. This can really pay off if done well, and I can safely say Ubisoft pulled out all the stop with origins, giving us one of the best episodes to date. This applies on all counts, whether it be visually, historically or just as a convincing plot to tie into accepted stages in that time period. The game took a much needed shift from its original formula, but still maintained enough of it key features to keep its identity. The changes made were a much needed improvement in my opinion.Giving the game more of an RPG feel, meant ubisoft could open things up more, and allow the player to feel more immersed in its massive open world, and to feel at one with the main character through a fairly expansive, yet very easy to follow skill system. Without wishing to give away too much of the game, The story follows two intertwining paths between Bayek, who is the main character, and his wife Aya. Bayek is a Medway, which is basically the equivalent of a sherif in ancient Egypt, who is assigned to keep order and protect the Pharoah. This is a role forced sadly on a different path, as he is forced by events to take revenge for the murder of his and Ayas son. I won’t give the whole plot away, but will just say that like all good story telling, nothing is given to you all at once, and is fed to you at pertinent times within the main quest, which incidentally is easily around 90ish hours, taking into account side quests, which I thoroughly recommend you take, as a few of them give little insights into Bayeks piece of mind, as you experience his demeanour change from being a jovial and loving father, through to his now he’ll bent need for justice. Those side quests will serve as undertones to show how Bayek feels a need to protect, especially children, for what I interpret as his need to not fail them, like he likely feels he did with his own child. The odd quests also serve to show that weight shifting accordingly with events you carry out through the game. I mentioned earlier that it was about two intertwining paths. You occasionally take the role of Aya, but she is essentially there to provide extra colour and extra depth to a bleak situation. She like Bayek is twisted on revenge, but you see both take different, yet often enough the same path, due to the excellent story telling, and direction. Allowing them to Shamir in each other’s grief and the common goal. The story can seem a little predictable in places as you find yourself embroiled in the way they must be feeling. Because again through the excellent way everything is put together, you find that your engagement allows you to second guess how these two now damaged individuals must inevitably have now had to change. Which helps, because you get no real insight into Aya before these events. So you are left pretty much to fill the gaps based on her current emotions. Both characters are extremely well acted, and at no time did I ever think that the story was too far fetched. Not even later, when they get tied into historical events. But that is for you to experience. This game alone has renewed my interest within the series, and I have now started to play the titles I previously passed on, and can honestly say that despite some people’s reservations that they strayed too far from what the series was. They have still managed to retain all the elements which in my mind make the game. So maybe give it a try if you have yet to. I urge anyone, that if they are only going to play one game over the next few weeks, make it this one. You won’t regret it .

Really enjoying this. The game is absolutely enormous. I am doing nearly all side quests as I come across them so as to level up. I was burned by an AC game once not really understanding and rushing through the main quests then finding myself hopelessly under powered/upgraded. So I am probably playing it too slowly and thoroughly but I have been playing for 40 hours now and only revealed about 1/4 of the map(!). It will be a long time until I feel “done” with this and I’m enjoying every minute. In part this is the improved combat. I think the melee combat is the main notable improvement over other AC games - it’s pretty fun now and surprisingly bloodborne/souls like. I’m playing it on a new 4K HDR TV with PS4 pro and it does look great though I’m not sure the HDR is actually adding much. I also don’t think you’d be losing anything really playing on 1080p - the views would still look sumptuous. Main negative is that, as with all AC games, the side quests are repetitive - many follow the go and fetch some stuff or go and kill some people, or both, template. But going through an outpost stealthily taking down the guards is always fun so any excuse. I also find the cut scenes for most side quests super boring and just can’t be bothered with them so skip them. Which I feel bad for all the voice acting that went into them. Anyway, in summary, I’d def give it 5* due to the size and continuous enjoyability.

The best AC game since Black Flag, Syndicate for me was a grind and the combat and parkour clunky. Not so here, both extremely fluid for the most part. True it is more of an RPG which draws you into the game and character far more in my opinion. Stealth can still be used to good effect on the more challenging Roman Forts. The range of weapons and ways to kill enemies (such as burning them with firey oil while they sleep) is far more satisfying and imaginative than Syndicate, The Side Quests are much more varied, some humorous, some quite chilling, with cut scenes and story telling. Not just free the child labourers over and over. The level of difficulty overall is not so tough as levelling up is really quite simple to achieve if you complete a few areas before progressing with the story. I was at level 40 about half way through which meant I could hack and slash my way through the remainder without too much trouble. The war elephants mind, they take some thought and planning in terms of weapon types and approach. The graphics for me were awesome and you could again lose yourself in the varied regions and environs. Syndicate was much of a muchness texture wise, not so here. More diverse than Black Flag by some distance but still has enough gorgeous water to enjoy. Black Flag, GTAV and MGSV were my favourites to date so take this based on that. I don't enjoy fantasy games or collecting herbs for hours on end. Great game although 'Bayek' was a strange name choice, sounded more Yorkshire than Egypt.

This is the first time I have been drawn to Assassin's Creed since the excellent Brotherhood chapter. The design and scale of this game is incredible, it really maximises the power of the PS4 to produce a graphical masterpiece. The playability is also rather good with the usual development of the skills tree opening up a variety of alternatives in infiltrating areas of the map and eliminating enemies. The skill level required for each area you explore is revealed on the map which is very helpful. Of course, the side missions can feel somewhat repetitive and the main missions can feel like you are always completing a similar objective but there is still a lot of fun to be had there. The mechanics of the game cry out Ubisoft, but in this case its not necessarily bad as the subject matter makes it more unique than its predecessors. The beauty of the graphics in some of the main areas, such as Alexandria, is breathtaking. Its as crisp and detailed as The Witcher 3, but again a little repetitive on closer inspection of the hieroglyphics. I am only 20 hours into this and I have barely scratched the surface. The plot is intriguing and loosely based on what is believed to have happened during that era in Egypt, with a welcome inclusion of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. For now, I cannot justify giving this game 5 stars but I may come back and amend that if I am blown away by the development of the plot towards the end of the game. The main character, Bayek, is very likeable and has a good sense of humour despite a tragic past. Thought I would be rushing through this so I can get to Far Cry, but you know what, with its beauty and sense of mystery, I think I will savour it.

Went backwards after buying AC Valhalla for PS5 and scooped Origins for a cheeky fiver (£5.00.) on PS4, because I’d heard so much positive about it, and seemingly the accolades were not without merit, very good, open world game, was engaged from the off and have hardly put it down since. Great selection of weapons and the fighting gameplay is superb. I love the fact that PS5 id cross-platform and you can still play PS4 games on it, huge benefit which, grants access to the best of both worlds.

Good game

Absolutely amazing game. The world of ancient Egypt is beautifully created, and the storyline is immersive. Gameplay is simple enough for my non-gaming 60 year old father who has never played on a PlayStation before. He’s completely in love with the game and has been since I bought it for him, it has brought him enormous joy to be able to roam the clean streets of Alexandria, to fighting crocodiles on the Nile, to scaling the faces of the Great Pyramids. It surpasses previous games in the series, with a variety of terrains and locations that are more immersive than Odyssey that came out a year after this one. Best game in the series in terms of the environments and variety. The quality of gameplay is crystal clear, I didn’t know games could get this HD! It’s wonderful to see him so immersed, and if my sweet 60 year old father loves this game and can play it without problems, then anyone can!

Finally an ac game that's worth playing, I am biased a little as I am egyptian but honestly the RPG elements fits really well with the game and they are not too overwhelming just the right balance. Side missions aren't hot garbage anymore just a little but they are totally playable unlike the painful annoying side missions in unity or syndicate. I wish they removed the towers like they did with watchdogs 2 but whatever they are not blocking the entire map like in the past you can still see the whole area without climbing the towers once you visit once. The leveling system is dumb and unfair and force you play the side missions to have a fair chance to beat the main mission you have assigned next. But the visuals are fascinating and i forget all about how lazy this RPG system was implemented.