Assassin’s Creed Timeline: Unraveling the Order of Origins and Odyssey
The question of whether Assassin’s Creed Origins comes before or after Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a common one among fans of the franchise, and for good reason. Both games are massive open-world RPGs that significantly changed the direction of the series. So, let’s get right to the answer: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set before Assassin’s Creed Origins. In fact, the timeline is a substantial gap, with Odyssey taking place roughly 400 years prior to the events of Origins. To be precise, Odyssey is set in ancient Greece from 431 B.C. to 422 B.C., while Origins takes place in Egypt from 49 B.C. to 44 B.C..
This difference in time periods is not just a cosmetic change; it impacts the story, the characters, and even the themes explored in each game. Odyssey delves into the mythological and philosophical landscape of ancient Greece, while Origins focuses on the formation of the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, and the political turmoil of late Ptolemaic Egypt. Understanding this temporal difference is crucial for appreciating the overarching narrative of the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Understanding the Setting and Story
The chronological placement of these games is essential to grasping the broader story of the Assassin’s Creed series. Odyssey, while not explicitly about the formation of the Assassins, is significant because it introduces key elements and concepts that will later be essential to the Brotherhood. For example, the Isu artifacts and the knowledge of the First Civilization play a major role in both games, but they are explored differently. In Odyssey, you grapple with the immense power of Isu technology, with your character even achieving biological immortality by the end of the game, explaining how Kassandra appears in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
By contrast, Origins is the story of Bayek and Aya, who through their tragic experiences, lay the very foundation for the Hidden Ones. The game showcases the political intrigue and social unrest that drives them to form this clandestine organization, setting the stage for all subsequent Assassin’s Creed games that involve the brotherhood. Therefore, while the gameplay mechanics are similar, both titles are distinctly unique in their narrative focus and historical backdrop.
Connecting the Dots in the Assassin’s Creed Universe
The way that Odyssey and Origins relate to the broader Assassin’s Creed narrative is also significant. While Odyssey’s protagonist, Kassandra or Alexios, operates outside the traditional Assassin storyline as a mercenary, their experiences, particularly their interaction with the Isu and their artifacts, have massive ramifications for the entire timeline. On the other hand, Origins is critical to understanding the very roots of the modern-day Assassins, and how their creed came to be.
Furthermore, both titles serve as a bridge to later games in the series. For instance, Valhalla continues the storyline of the modern-day protagonist, Layla Hassan, who is investigating the events of Origins and Odyssey. She uses technologies created by Isu and connects her research to the stories of Bayek and Aya, and Kassandra and Alexios. The modern-day storyline continues to tie the past historical segments together in a way that showcases the overarching narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To help solidify your understanding of the relationship between these two pivotal Assassin’s Creed games, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Is Odyssey set before or after Origins?
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set approximately 400 years before Assassin’s Creed Origins.
2. Does the order I play them matter?
While it doesn’t dramatically impact your ability to understand the individual games’ plots, playing Origins before Odyssey is recommended if you want to experience the series chronologically. However, as each game functions as a stand alone title, the choice is mostly up to you.
3. How is Kassandra still alive in Valhalla?
At the end of Odyssey, Kassandra becomes immortal after taking the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus, which explains her appearance in Valhalla.
4. Who are Bayek and Aya?
Bayek and Aya are the protagonists of Assassin’s Creed Origins. They are Medjay and are credited with founding the Hidden Ones, who later become the Assassin Brotherhood.
5. Is Bayek related to Kassandra or Alexios?
Yes, Bayek, Alexios, and Kassandra are related, but the precise relation has not been fully established. They share common ancestry from the Isu civilization, but their exact relationship within the bloodline isn’t fully stated.
6. Is Aya the daughter of Kassandra?
No, Aya is not the daughter of Kassandra. Kassandra/Alexios are among the far removed ancestors of Aya.
7. Is the map of Odyssey bigger than Origins?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has a significantly larger map than Assassin’s Creed Origins. It is the biggest map within the series.
8. Is it necessary to play Origins before Valhalla?
While not essential, there are references and connections to both Origins and Odyssey in Valhalla, but you don’t need to play them to fully enjoy Valhalla.
9. Is Origins the story of how the Assassin Brotherhood was formed?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Origins tells the story of how the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassin Brotherhood, was founded.
10. Does Bayek appear in Odyssey?
Yes, Bayek makes a non-canonical appearance in Odyssey as a simulated lieutenant on your ship, unlockable through the Ubisoft Club. He also appears as an unlockable character in Assassin’s Creed Rebellion.
11. Are Origins and Odyssey connected?
Yes, while Odyssey takes place 400 years before Origins, both games explore themes related to the Isu and set the stage for later installments in the series. They also utilize the same RPG open-world game mechanics.
12. Which game is considered better, Origins or Odyssey?
There is no consensus answer to this question. Both games are considered very good, with many players finding that either game excels over the other in different areas. Some find the story, atmosphere and combat of Origins to be superior while others find the RPG mechanics, choices and size of Odyssey to be preferable.
13. Is Kassandra the first Assassin?
No, Kassandra predates the Assassin Brotherhood and the Hidden Ones. While she isn’t an Assassin, she has an important connection to the Order.
14. How much longer is Odyssey than Origins?
Odyssey is notably longer than Origins, with the average player spending over 80 hours on Odyssey compared to around 20 hours on Origins.
15. Who is Alexios’s father?
Alexios is the biological son of Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher.
Conclusion
In summary, while both Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey are phenomenal games, they each occupy unique places within the timeline of the series. Odyssey is set approximately 400 years before Origins, meaning that while both are connected, you should approach each with its own individual context. Both titles build upon the mythology and lore of the universe, providing players with different perspectives on the world of Assassins. Whether you’re starting with Origins or Odyssey, understanding their chronological order will allow you to more fully appreciate the broader narrative of the Assassin’s Creed franchise and how the past continues to impact the present.