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When Ubisoft revamped its flagship series, the publisher gave players a new but raw experience. “Assassin’s Creed Origins” was an unsteady first step for a series moving toward a new direction. The overhauled combat and epic scope of ancient Egypt were welcome additions, but the new systems and structure were far from perfect.
The next chapter, “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey,” is a refinement of those ideas. It hones what already works, introduces new mechanics and fixes the problems of “Origins.” The result is an adventure that shifts the series to an entry that closely resembles the “Witcher” franchise.
And it all begins with a new perspective. This iteration continues the modern-day exploits of Layla Hassan as she uncovers another artifact, the spear of Leonidas. Using high-tech Abstergo technology and her own ingenuity, they dive into memories that take them to Greece circa 431 B.C. The contemporary frame has always been a set-up for the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise’s true genre — historical fiction.
The difference this time around is that players have more of a choice in the campaign. This comes with who they pick for a hero — Alexios or Kassandra. These two characters have an interconnected past, and it weaves its way through the journey’s narrative thread. With the options to choose how the protagonist reacts, gamers have the power to influence the shape of ancient Greece.
The dilemmas they face are sometimes difficult. One of the earlier ones focuses on a plague that hits a village. They can let a priest eradicate the remaining ill family or grant them a reprieve. The choice has a wider effect on other characters and the island of Kephallonia. Other choices influence the fate of certain characters, but what’s compelling with this storytelling is the scope. Players can see wide-ranging results of their choices and how they shape the plot.
Combine that with a better campaign grounded in the Peloponnesian War, and players have an excuse to see all the missions through. Of course, the adventure will digress with numerous side quests, but the game has a strong main story that follows the heroes battle against the Cult of Kosmos, a secret organization that surreptitiously controls the Greek world.
The other improvement that sets “Odyssey” apart from “Origins” is the combat. It refines the hit-box system by attaching abilities to the adrenaline meter. This gives players more options when dealing with enemies and encourages a more offensive-minded approach. Players must attack adversaries to build up meter so they can unleash their more powerful attacks and turn the tide of battle. It makes combat easier but also more skill-based.
The upgraded combat flows into other features such as the Mercenary system that replaces the annoying Phylake in “Origins.” These minibosses are there to make sure players act within the laws. Steal or hurt people, and a bounty is placed on the hero and the mercenaries start hunting gamers down.
This time around, players can defeat mercenaries with sound strategies or they can pay off the bounty. Although having mercenaries on their tail has risk, they do hold the reward of better gear if they can be defeated.
Also, with the reliance of abilities, the developer, Ubisoft Quebec, pared down the number of items and weapons and that streamlines the combat. Players no longer have to worry about three different bows. They can focus on holding two weapons at a time, their ranged weapon and the eight abilities tied to melee and bows.
The other major upgrade is the addition of the Exploration Mode. This new way of playing “Assassin’s Creed” removes some mission markers from the screen. Now, players have to piece together where to go next using clues from quest givers. It’s a more immersive way of tackling tasks, but it also shifts a player’s mindset away from ping-ponging to different quests in order to clear icons off a map. It lets them focus on the job at hand and go with the flow of their whim, making “Odyssey” feel like less of a chore.
Despite these improvements, “Odyssey” still has some issues, such as the Conquest system. This is supposed to incentivize players to help either the Spartans or the Athenians control the Greece by helping either side’s war effort. The problem is that the hero freelances between both sides and they never feel invested in helping one side or another. It creates an odd narrative dissonance that makes the feature altogether forgettable.
The other issue is the way Ubisoft Quebec creates money sinks for the in-game economy. Tying resources and money to upgrades pushes players to sell items, dismantle them and keep on adventuring. At times, however, the whole process can grind on, especially when trying to improve a weapon or ship part on the Adrestia.
Those are flaws that can’t overshadow the bigger improvements in “Odyssey.” The game gives players an enormous Hellenic world to explore, and they can do it by horse or ship. The entry thankfully carries over the naval gameplay from “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” and that’s another big draw for the sequel. This adds up to one of the best chapters to Ubisoft’s flagship series in years.
‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’
Three and a half stars
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
Rating: Mature
