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 .

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.

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.