Can You Stop the Plague in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? A Deep Dive
The question of whether you can halt the devastating plagues that sweep through Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a complex one, with a multifaceted answer. In short: you can influence the immediate outcome in one instance, but the larger forces of history and narrative are largely immutable. Let’s break it down. You cannot prevent the historical Plague of Athens from occurring. This event is woven into the game’s narrative, and the only choice you are given is about how to deal with the consequences and the suffering it causes. However, you can affect the outbreak of plague on Kephallonia during the quest “Blood Fever”. This choice, however, comes with a heavy moral cost. The article will provide a comprehensive understanding of the plagues within Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and the extent to which player agency impacts these events.
The Plague on Kephallonia: A Moral Quandary
The quest “Blood Fever” presents a gut-wrenching choice. You encounter a family exhibiting symptoms that Barnabas fears might be plague-related. You are faced with the decision to either:
- Save the Family: This seems like the heroic choice. However, doing so leads to the spread of the plague throughout Kephallonia, turning the idyllic island into a blighted landscape. This has a lasting visual impact on the game world and serves as a constant reminder of your decision.
- Let the Family Die: This is the pragmatic, albeit cruel, option. By refusing to help, you prevent the plague from spreading, saving the majority of the island’s population.
It’s a no-win scenario designed to highlight the often-unforeseen consequences of our actions. The “right” choice is subjective, forcing players to grapple with the moral implications of their decisions. The game effectively demonstrates that even with the best intentions, actions can have unintended and devastating results. This type of moral decision-making is not only engaging but also serves as a powerful example of how games can explore complex ethical dilemmas. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores these types of interactions further within its community of educators and learners.
The Plague of Athens: A Historical Immovable Object
Unlike the Kephallonia plague, the Plague of Athens is a historical event that occurred in ancient Greece. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, being rooted in historical fiction, incorporates this event as a set piece. No matter what actions you take, you cannot prevent the Plague of Athens. The game presents it as an unavoidable catastrophe that ravages the city and its population. Your role is not to prevent it, but to navigate its aftermath, helping those in need and dealing with the political and social upheaval that follows. This distinction is crucial to understanding the game’s design philosophy. While player agency is a core element, the game also respects historical accuracy, ensuring that certain pivotal events remain untouched.
Consequences and Narrative Impact
The decisions surrounding the plagues in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey have varying degrees of impact on the game world and the narrative:
- Kephallonia: As previously mentioned, saving the family leads to a visually altered and perpetually plague-ridden Kephallonia. This serves as a constant reminder of your choice and its consequences. The family themselves, however, cannot be found after, leaving their fate ambiguous.
- Athens: While you can’t stop the plague, your actions during and after the outbreak can influence relationships with certain characters and affect the overall tone of the narrative.
Ultimately, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey uses these plague events to explore themes of fate, free will, and the gray areas of morality. It challenges players to consider the long-term consequences of their choices and to understand that even with the best intentions, outcomes are not always predictable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I save the family in the “Blood Fever” quest?
There is no “right” answer. Saving the family results in the plague spreading, while letting them die prevents it. It’s a moral choice with significant consequences, and it’s up to you to decide which outcome you can live with.
2. Can I cure the plague on Kephallonia after it spreads?
No, there is no cure for the plague in the game. Once it spreads, Kephallonia will remain blighted for the duration of your playthrough.
3. Does saving the family affect the main storyline?
While it impacts the appearance of Kephallonia, it does not significantly alter the main storyline. It’s more of a localized consequence.
4. Can I warn Athens about the impending plague?
You are given a quest to warn about the Plague of Athens, but the plague is historical, so it can’t be prevented, regardless of your actions.
5. What happens to Markos after the Kephallonia plague?
Markos survives the plague, but you later find him imprisoned on the island of Kos. You can rescue him and help him rebuild his vineyard.
6. Is there a questline related to dealing with the plague victims in Athens?
While there isn’t a dedicated “plague questline,” you’ll encounter numerous quests that involve helping refugees and dealing with the fallout of the plague in Athens.
7. Does my choice regarding the family on Kephallonia affect my relationship with Barnabas?
Barnabas doesn’t significantly react to your choice. He expresses concern regardless of what you decide.
8. Is there a “good” ending where everyone survives the plagues?
No, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey does not offer a perfect, happy ending where everyone survives the plagues. The game emphasizes the harsh realities of the time.
9. Does the difficulty setting affect the spread of the plague?
No, the difficulty setting does not influence the spread or impact of the plagues. These events are scripted and will occur regardless of the difficulty level.
10. Are there any achievements or trophies related to the plague choices?
There are no specific achievements or trophies directly tied to the plague choices in the game.
11. What if I ignore the “Blood Fever” quest entirely?
Ignoring the quest will effectively allow the plague to spread in the long run, as the game will eventually resolve the quest in favour of the worst outcome. You are forced to make a choice.
12. Can I return to Kephallonia after the plague has spread?
Yes, you can return to Kephallonia at any time. You’ll find the island in a state of decay, with sick and desperate inhabitants.
13. Does my character get sick from the plague?
Your character never contracts the plague. They are immune to its effects.
14. Does my choice on Kephallonia impact the resources available in the game?
It can limit available vendors and quests in Kephallonia. However, this is not a significant disruption to the overall economy of the game.
15. Are the plagues represented accurately in the game?
The plagues are presented in a dramatized fashion, as the game aims to provide an immersive experience. To see how games can be used to create simulations, you can read more about these aspects on the Games Learning Society. While certain historical details are included, the game primarily focuses on the narrative and emotional impact of the events rather than complete historical accuracy.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey uses the setting of Ancient Greece as a backdrop to tell a compelling narrative. In conclusion, while you can influence the fate of Kephallonia through the “Blood Fever” quest, the Plague of Athens remains an unavoidable historical event. Your choices surrounding these plagues serve to highlight the complex moral dilemmas and unavoidable consequences that shape the lives of your characters.