Assassin’s Creed Origins vs. Odyssey: The Evolution of Historical RPGs

The Assassin's Creed franchise has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with Origins and Odyssey marking a pivotal shift towards more expansive, RPG-style gameplay. These two titles not only pushed the series into new historical eras but also redefined what players could expect from an Assassin's Creed game. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison of these two groundbreaking entries in the franchise.

Setting and Historical Accuracy

Assassin's Creed Origins transports players to Ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic period, offering a rich, detailed recreation of one of history's most fascinating civilizations. The game's world is filled with iconic landmarks, from the Great Pyramids to the bustling streets of Alexandria.

Odyssey, on the other hand, takes us even further back in time to Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. This setting allows players to explore a vast world spanning multiple Greek city-states, each with its own unique culture and political climate.Both games excel in their attention to historical detail, but they approach it differently. Origins focuses on a more grounded representation of its time period, with players encountering historical figures like Cleopatra and Julius Caesar in a relatively realistic manner.

Odyssey takes a more mythological approach, blending historical accuracy with elements of Greek mythology, allowing players to encounter legendary creatures and engage with gods.

Gameplay Mechanics

The shift to RPG mechanics is evident in both games, but Odyssey takes this evolution a step further. Origins introduced a new combat system, moving away from the counter-based gameplay of previous titles to a more action-oriented approach. It also incorporated light RPG elements such as leveling up and gear upgrades.

Odyssey expands on these mechanics, offering a more robust skill tree, deeper customization options, and a greater emphasis on player choice in both combat and dialogue.One of the most significant differences is in the stealth gameplay. Origins still retains some of the traditional Assassin's Creed stealth elements, with a greater focus on assassinations and hidden blade kills.

Odyssey, however, leans more heavily into open combat, with stealth often taking a backseat to more direct approaches. This shift reflects the games' different time periods and the evolution of the Assassin Brotherhood within the series' lore.

World Design and Exploration

Both games feature massive open worlds, but they approach exploration differently. Origins' Egypt is a diverse landscape, ranging from lush Nile Delta to barren deserts, each area feeling distinct and carefully crafted.

Odyssey's Greece is even larger, with a vast archipelago to explore alongside mainland areas. The addition of naval gameplay in Odyssey, reminiscent of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, adds another layer to exploration.Origins encourages exploration through its discovery tours and hidden tombs, offering players a chance to learn about Ancient Egyptian culture and mythology.

Odyssey takes a more gameplay-centric approach to exploration, with a multitude of side quests and activities scattered across its world, encouraging players to venture off the beaten path.

Narrative and Character Development

The storytelling in both games marks a significant departure from earlier Assassin's Creed titles. Origins tells the personal story of Bayek and Aya, focusing on their quest for vengeance and the birth of the Assassin Brotherhood. The narrative is more linear and focused compared to its successor.

Odyssey introduces dialogue choices and multiple endings, allowing players to shape their own story as either Alexios or Kassandra. This RPG approach to storytelling offers more player agency but can sometimes lead to a less cohesive overall narrative.Character development is handled differently in each game. Bayek in Origins is a well-defined character with a clear arc, reminiscent of earlier Assassin's Creed protagonists.

The protagonists of Odyssey, while fully voiced and charismatic, are more of a blank slate for players to mold through their choices, aligning more closely with traditional RPG conventions.

Combat and Progression

The combat systems in both games represent a significant evolution for the series, but with notable differences. Origins introduces a hitbox-based combat system, moving away from the animation-locked fights of previous games. This system feels weighty and deliberate, with each weapon type offering a distinct playstyle.

Odyssey builds on this foundation, adding more fantastical abilities and a greater emphasis on active skills during combat. The result is a faster-paced, more varied combat experience that some players find more engaging, while others miss the more grounded feel of Origins.Progression in both games revolves around leveling up and acquiring new gear, but Odyssey takes this aspect further. Origins has a more straightforward progression system, with a clear path of improvement for Bayek's abilities and equipment.

Odyssey introduces a more complex system of engravings and gear customization, allowing for a greater degree of build variety and specialization.

Side Content and Activities

Both games offer a wealth of side content, but they approach it differently. Origins features a variety of side quests that often feel meaningful and tied to the game's themes of justice and protection. The discovery tours and tomb explorations add educational and puzzle-solving elements to the experience.

Odyssey expands the scope of side content dramatically, with a vast array of quests, activities, and even a mercenary system that adds an extra layer of challenge and progression.The quality and quantity of side content in Odyssey can be overwhelming for some players, while others appreciate the sheer amount of things to do. Origins, while offering fewer side activities, often ensures that each one feels more impactful and relevant to the main story.

Visual and Audio Design

Both games are visual marvels, showcasing the beauty of their respective historical settings. Origins' Egypt is a stunning mix of golden deserts, lush oases, and monumental architecture. The attention to detail in recreating ancient Egyptian cities and temples is remarkable.

Odyssey's Greece is equally impressive, with its diverse landscapes ranging from sun-drenched islands to snow-capped mountains. The game's use of color and lighting creates a vibrant, almost mythical atmosphere that suits its more fantastical elements.The audio design in both games contributes significantly to immersion. Origins features a soundtrack that blends traditional Egyptian instruments with more modern compositions, creating a unique auditory experience.

Odyssey's score is equally impressive, capturing the epic scope of Greek mythology while also providing more intimate moments that reflect the personal nature of the protagonist's journey.

The RPG Evolution

The shift towards RPG mechanics in Origins and Odyssey represents a significant evolution for the Assassin's Creed franchise. Origins laid the groundwork, introducing leveling systems, gear upgrades, and a more open approach to quest design.

Odyssey took these elements and expanded them dramatically, offering a full-fledged RPG experience with dialogue choices, multiple endings, and a vast skill tree.This evolution has been met with mixed reactions from the fanbase. Many players appreciate the increased depth and player agency offered by the RPG mechanics, finding the games more engaging and replayable.

Others miss the more focused, stealth-oriented gameplay of earlier titles, feeling that the series has strayed too far from its roots.

Conclusion: Two Paths of a Legendary Franchise

Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey represent two significant steps in the evolution of the franchise, each with its own strengths and unique approach to historical gaming. Origins offers a more grounded, focused experience that stays closer to the traditional Assassin's Creed formula while introducing RPG elements.

Odyssey embraces the RPG genre fully, offering unprecedented player choice and a vast world to explore, at the cost of some of the series' traditional elements.Ultimately, the choice between Origins and Odyssey comes down to personal preference. Those who prefer a more traditional Assassin's Creed experience with a strong, focused narrative might lean towards Origins.

Players who enjoy sprawling RPGs with extensive player choice and a more mythological bent will find a lot to love in Odyssey.Both games have left an indelible mark on the Assassin's Creed franchise and the broader landscape of historical action RPGs. As the series continues to evolve, the lessons learned from these two titles will undoubtedly shape the future of Assassin's Creed and inspire other developers in the genre. Whether you prefer the sands of Egypt or the islands of Greece, both Origins and Odyssey offer unforgettable journeys through history.ShareRewrite