13 Ways Assassin’s Creed: Origins Outshines Odyssey and Valhalla

13 Ways Assassin's Creed: Origins Outshines Odyssey and Valhalla

17 Grounded Tale

In the gaming world, change is inevitable, especially for long-running franchises like Assassin’s Creed. When Assassin’s Creed: Origins was released back in 2017, fans were pleasantly surprised by the refreshing alterations made to the formula. The series had become a bit stale after eight similar entries, and these changes breathed new life into the game.

Origins introduced fully-fleshed RPG elements, revamped combat mechanics, and beautifully realized open worlds, setting the stage for future titles like Odyssey and Valhalla. While these sequels built upon the foundation laid by Origins, it’s fair to say that Origins remains the best “new” Assassin’s Creed game in several important areas.

16 Strong Franchise Ties

Assassin’s Creed: Origins did an exceptional job of maintaining its connection to the series’ roots. From the iconic hood to the hidden blade, everything that makes Assassin’s Creed unique was present in Origins, reminding players that this was still the Assassin’s Creed they loved, only evolved.

Origins goes even further by delving into the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood, providing a clear link to the franchise’s lore and mythology. This attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the game, making it a true Assassin’s Creed experience. In contrast, the sequels seemed to lose sight of these crucial ties, making it harder to see them as true Assassin’s Creed games.

15 Lack Of Nonsense

While Assassin’s Creed has dabbled in magical and mythical elements in the past, Origins strikes a delicate balance. It incorporates Egyptian mythology into the game without overwhelming the narrative. This allows players to enjoy the story without being bombarded by unnecessary and disconnected elements.

On the other hand, the sequels took a more bizarre turn, embracing Norse mythology and fantastical elements that felt out of place. The emphasis on fun often overshadowed the story, leaving players longing for the simpler, more coherent experience offered by Origins.

14 A Love Story

Assassin’s Creed: Origins tells a beautiful and tragic love story between Bayek and Aya. Their chemistry is electric, and their journey together is emotionally gripping. This central love story is integral to the game’s narrative, providing character growth and depth.

In contrast, the sequels treat romance as optional side quests, lacking the same impact on the story. Love has always been a significant theme in the Assassin’s Creed games, and the sequels missed an opportunity to explore this aspect further. The lack of meaningful relationships in the sequels leaves players wanting more.

13 The Main Story

The overarching narrative of the Assassin’s Creed series has become increasingly convoluted and complex over the years. Many players feel overwhelmed and newcomers find it intimidating to delve into the franchise’s lore.

Origins changes that by taking us back to the establishment of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood. The story revolves around Bayek and Aya’s quest for revenge, gradually evolving into a political drama. The simplicity and polish of Origins’ story make it exquisitely captivating, setting it apart from the later entries with their plotholes and uninspired narratives.

12 It Isn’t As Bloated

When it comes to open-world games, bigger isn’t always better. Odyssey and Valhalla suffer from an abundance of content that sometimes feels like a chore. The never-ending list of side quests, collectibles, and objectives can overwhelm players, making the game feel like work rather than fun.

Origins, however, strikes a better balance. While it pioneered the formula that the sequels followed, its smaller scale allows for more organic exploration. With fewer distractions, players can fully immerse themselves in the game world, enjoying a more satisfying completion of objectives.

11 Map Size

Speaking of size, the open-world maps in the later Assassin’s Creed games can be dauntingly vast. Navigating Odyssey’s Ancient Greece or Valhalla’s Norse realms without fast travel can be a tedious and time-consuming affair. The sheer scale of these worlds often hinders the sense of immersion.

Origins, on the other hand, strikes a more manageable balance. While some areas may appear repetitive, traversing the map on horseback feels achievable and enjoyable. Players can explore without feeling bogged down by the sheer size of the game world.

10 Side Content

Assassin’s Creed: Origins offers side content that sets it apart from its sequels. Exploring Ancient Tombs for mystical tablets or experiencing poignant Stone Circle quests that reveal Bayek’s memories with his late son are just a few examples of the game’s creative and engaging moments.

In comparison, Odyssey relied heavily on collectibles and “collectathon”-type side quests, while Valhalla reintroduced tomb exploration but lacked a strong narrative purpose. Origins’ side content, anchored in emotional storytelling, provides a more memorable and meaningful experience.

9 The Length Of The Game

The length of an Assassin’s Creed game shouldn’t solely be determined by the hours needed to complete the main story. Origins strikes a near-optimal balance by offering a main plot that takes around 30 hours to finish, allowing players ample time to explore side content that they may have missed.

On the other hand, Odyssey and Valhalla elongate their main quests to 45 and 60-70 hours respectively, often at the expense of quality. The excessive length is achieved through filler content and missions that artificially prolong the game. While some may see it as better value for money, it’s important to consider the impact on the overall gaming experience.

8 The Main Character

Assassin’s Creed has had its fair share of remarkable protagonists, and Bayek of Siwa is no exception. With a strong backstory, a sense of humor, and a badass partner in crime, Bayek is a compelling and entertaining character to play as. His emotional journey resonates with players, setting him apart from the sometimes uninspired Kassandra in Odyssey and the brutish Eivor in Valhalla.

7 Boss Fights

While the combat mechanics in Assassin’s Creed games haven’t seen significant changes since Origins, the boss fights have. Origins introduces boss battles that are based on interesting gimmicks or systems, reminiscent of the challenge posed by Dark Souls bosses. Players must learn their opponents’ moveset and strategize accordingly to emerge victorious.

In contrast, the sequels turn bosses into damage sponges, relying heavily on stats-based button mashing rather than strategic engagement. The thrill and satisfaction of defeating a boss through skillful play are diminished in Odyssey and Valhalla.

6 Sense Of Progression

A great RPG game provides a sense of progression and mastery of its mechanics. Origins achieves this by allowing players to grow from a relatively weak character into a formidable warrior. Bayek’s journey and skill tree system make players feel truly accomplished, as they conquer Egypt and its hidden dangers.

In contrast, Odyssey and Valhalla’s abundance of content can make players feel like they’re constantly chasing a distant goal. The sense of progression is lost amidst the overwhelming amount of tasks to complete.

5 It’s A Breath Of Fresh Air

Assassin’s Creed: Origins brings a breath of fresh air to the series. With its departure from the familiar formula, playing Origins for the first time is an exciting and invigorating experience. The game introduces new mechanics and innovations that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.

While the sequels follow a similar path, they fail to introduce enough innovation to truly set themselves apart. The franchise risks becoming a victim of its own success, relying too heavily on past achievements rather than forging new paths.

4 The Exploration

Open-world exploration has become a defining feature of Assassin’s Creed games. However, the later titles in the series received criticism for their vast yet uninspiring worlds. Many felt that these maps lacked interesting content and existed solely for the sake of size.

Origins strikes a better balance by providing a rich variety of cities, environments, and wildlife. Exploring the game world is a joy in itself, with Ancient Egypt coming to life in all its splendor. Odyssey and Valhalla pale in comparison, unable to match the depth and vibrancy of Origins’ world-building.

3 The Setting

Ptolemaic Egypt is a standout setting in the Assassin’s Creed series. Amidst the plethora of interesting periods and places the games have visited, Origins manages to captivate players with its sense of wonder. Traversing the desert landscapes and uncovering the secrets hidden within the pyramids and tombs is a near-perfect execution of the game’s setting.

In contrast, the sequels falter in capturing the same imagination with their settings. Odyssey plays it safe with Ancient Greece, while Valhalla capitalizes on the Viking trend without adding anything truly innovative.

2 The Stealth

Assassin’s Creed: Origins may have dialed back on stealth mechanics compared to its predecessors, but it didn’t abandon them entirely. Stealth gameplay in Origins is rewarding and fun, with added features that enhance the experience.

However, Odyssey and Valhalla steer further away from stealth, favoring open combat instead. Stealth becomes a less viable option, with quests often discouraging sneaking around. The sequels prioritize stats over strategy, diminishing the satisfying gameplay of Origins.

1 It Still Feels Like An Assassin’s Creed Game

Lastly, Origins manages to retain the essence of what makes the Assassin’s Creed series special. While introducing fresh elements, Origins stays true to the franchise’s DNA. The sequels, particularly Odyssey, deviate further from the core identity of Assassin’s Creed, losing some of the franchise’s unique charm along the way.

This is not to say that Odyssey and Valhalla are bad games. They provide compelling RPG experiences and are worth playing. However, with each new entry, the franchise veers further from its roots, leaving players longing for the exhilarating and cohesive experience offered by Origins.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One.

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