Does Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Have an Ending? A Deep Dive into the Fate of the Eagle Bearer
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey absolutely has an ending, in fact, it has multiple endings. But it’s not as simple as just reaching the credits. The game boasts nine different conclusions to its primary storyline, with the “main” ending heavily influenced by the decisions you make throughout your epic journey. You’re not just passively experiencing a pre-determined narrative; you’re actively shaping the destiny of your character, their family, and even the fate of Ancient Greece itself. The choices you make in dialogues, the characters you choose to spare or eliminate, and the alliances you forge all have repercussions that accumulate and ultimately determine which ending you receive. Let’s explore the intricate web of consequences that awaits the Eagle Bearer.
Understanding the Multiple Endings of Odyssey
The Family Endings: A Quest for Reconciliation
The most sought-after and emotionally resonant endings revolve around your character’s family: Myrinne, Nikolaos, Deimos, and Stentor. Achieving the “best” family ending, where everyone is alive and reconciled, requires careful navigation of dialogue options and a commitment to empathy and forgiveness. This ending is often considered the “happiest” and most “positive” conclusion to the personal journey of Alexios or Kassandra. To secure it, you must:
- Spare Nikolaos’s life when you first encounter him.
- Persuade Deimos to abandon the Cult of Kosmos through specific dialogue choices at crucial moments.
- Ensure Stentor’s loyalty by making decisions that respect his honor and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
Failing to achieve these objectives will lead to variations where some family members may die, remain estranged, or continue down a path of darkness. The nuance in these endings highlights the importance of your choices and the potential consequences of impulsive actions.
The Cultist Ending: Unmasking the Shadowy Organization
Beyond the family drama, another significant aspect of the ending concerns the Cult of Kosmos. Your mission to dismantle this shadowy organization forms a parallel narrative that culminates in a final confrontation. The success of this endeavor is directly tied to your progress in identifying and eliminating all the cult members scattered across the Greek world. While the family ending focuses on personal relationships, the cultist ending provides closure to the overarching conflict that threatens the stability of Ancient Greece. The game presents you with a clear goal: expose the cult, dismantle their network, and bring their leaders to justice. Each cultist eliminated brings you closer to unraveling the conspiracy and saving the Greek world from their nefarious schemes.
The Atlantis Ending: Myth and Modernity
The “Fate of Atlantis” DLC adds another layer to the game’s conclusion, expanding the narrative into the realm of myth and the Isu (the precursor civilization). This ending ties into the overarching Assassin’s Creed lore and sheds light on the origins of the Pieces of Eden. While the Atlantis storyline is separate from the main family narrative, it provides crucial context to the broader Assassin’s Creed universe. The game allows you to explore the lost city of Atlantis, interact with powerful Isu artifacts, and learn more about the ancient civilization that shaped the world. This ending adds a sci-fi element to the historical setting, blurring the lines between reality and mythology.
The Modern Day Ending: Connecting the Past and Present
Finally, there’s the Modern Day ending, which continues the story of Layla Hassan, the modern-day protagonist connected to the Animus. This ending serves as a bridge between the historical setting of Ancient Greece and the ongoing conflict between the Assassins and Templars in the present day. It is important to the modern-day narrative of the franchise, revealing the ongoing implications of the events experienced in the past. This adds a sense of continuity and provides a frame for the historical narrative. Layla’s experiences in the Animus and the revelations she uncovers impact the present day.
The Canon Ending: Separating Fact from Fiction
While there are multiple endings, the question of which ending is canon is a frequent point of discussion. Officially, the canon ending features Kassandra as the protagonist, reconciled with Myrinne, Nikolaos, and Stentor, with Deimos dead and Aspasia still alive. However, the exact circumstances of these events can differ between the game and the novelization, leaving room for interpretation. The choice of Kassandra as the canonical character was made by the writers of the official novel and solidified by her appearance in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, further cementing her place in the franchise’s lore. While players can choose to play as Alexios, the story as it is officially written, leans towards Kassandra’s perspective.
Playing Beyond the Ending: New Game+ and Continued Adventures
Even after reaching one of the endings, the adventure doesn’t have to end. New Game+ allows you to start the game anew, carrying over your experience, weapons, and abilities. This provides an opportunity to make different choices, explore alternative storylines, and aim for a different ending. This feature allows players to replay the game while retaining their progress and unlocking new challenges.
The world of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey remains open for exploration, allowing players to continue completing side quests, hunting mercenaries, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game is designed to offer long-lasting replayability, encouraging players to dive deeper into the Greek world and discover everything it has to offer. You can continue to roam the vast world, engage in side quests, and hone your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions About AC Odyssey’s Ending
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the ending of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey:
1. How many endings does AC Odyssey have?
AC Odyssey has nine different endings specifically based on the family storyline, in addition to the separate conclusions for the Cult of Kosmos, Atlantis DLC, and the Modern Day story.
2. What determines which ending I get?
Your choices and decisions throughout the game determine which ending you receive, particularly those involving your family members and the Cult of Kosmos.
3. What is the “best” ending in AC Odyssey?
Many players consider the “best” ending to be the one where all family members (Myrinne, Nikolaos, Deimos, Stentor, and yourself) are alive and reunited.
4. Can I save Deimos?
Yes, it is possible to save Deimos from the Cult’s influence through specific dialogue choices and actions.
5. What happens if I kill Nikolaos?
Killing Nikolaos will prevent you from achieving the “best” family ending.
6. Is there a canon ending to AC Odyssey?
The canon ending features Kassandra as the protagonist, reconciled with Myrinne, Nikolaos, and Stentor, with Deimos dead and Aspasia alive.
7. Can I change my character’s gender in New Game+?
Yes, you can switch from Alexios to Kassandra (or vice versa) when starting a New Game+.
8. What is New Game+ in AC Odyssey?
New Game+ allows you to start the game again with your previously acquired experience, weapons, and abilities.
9. What level do you have to be to finish AC Odyssey?
While you can finish the main story at a lower level, reaching the maximum level cap of 99 requires significant time and dedication.
10. How long does it take to 100% complete AC Odyssey?
Completing 100% of AC Odyssey can take around 143 hours on average.
11. Does romancing multiple characters affect the ending?
No, romancing multiple characters does not have any negative consequences or affect the main endings.
12. What happens in the Atlantis DLC ending?
The Atlantis DLC ending delves into the mythological world of Atlantis and the Isu, providing more lore related to the Pieces of Eden and the overall Assassin’s Creed universe.
13. Is Alexios’s death canon?
Yes, in the canonical story, Alexios dies, being killed by Kassandra.
14. Why is Kassandra the canon protagonist?
Kassandra was chosen as the canon protagonist because she was selected by the writers of the official novelization of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and this decision was reinforced by her inclusion in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
15. Where can I learn more about games and education?
You can discover more insights and research related to the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.