Unearthing the Past: What Assassin’s Creed Games Should You Play Before Origins?
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So, you’re ready to dive into the sun-drenched world of Ancient Egypt with Assassin’s Creed Origins? Excellent choice! It’s a fantastic entry point, and while you can jump in blindfolded and still have a blast, experiencing some of the earlier games will undoubtedly enrich your journey. The good news is, you don’t need to marathon the entire series.
For a truly comprehensive experience, I’d recommend playing Assassin’s Creed 2, Brotherhood, Revelations (the Ezio Trilogy), Black Flag, Unity, and Syndicate. These titles offer a solid foundation in the overarching narrative and introduce crucial elements of the modern-day storyline. The Ezio trilogy is essential because it lays the groundwork for the Assassin Brotherhood’s ideology and structure. Black Flag brings a unique naval combat element and introduces a character with complex motivations. Unity and Syndicate, while sometimes criticized, further develop the modern-day narrative and introduce characters and technologies that have subtle links to later games.
If you’re pressed for time, prioritize Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. AC2 explains the origins of the Assassin-Templar conflict and introduces you to Desmond Miles’ ancestry. AC4 is important because it provides background on the First Civilization and its artifacts, which become increasingly important in later games, including Origins. Playing these games will provide context and enhance your enjoyment of Origins’ storyline.
That said, don’t feel obligated to play every single one. The original Assassin’s Creed (Altaïr) hasn’t aged particularly well in terms of gameplay mechanics. Likewise, while Assassin’s Creed III has its fans, its pacing can feel sluggish compared to the more modern entries. The beauty of the Assassin’s Creed franchise is that it is quite modular, but understanding the overall narrative will only enhance your experience.
Delving Deeper: Why These Games Matter
Choosing these games before Assassin’s Creed: Origins is about more than just completing a checklist. It is about understanding the heart of the Assassin-Templar conflict, the nuances of the modern-day narrative, and the evolving gameplay mechanics of the series. While Origins is a soft reboot, many of the core elements from the previous games are still present.
- Character Development: The series is known for its compelling characters. By playing the recommended games, you’ll develop an attachment to key figures, making references in later games more impactful.
- Lore Immersion: Assassin’s Creed has a rich and complex lore. Playing earlier entries provides vital context for understanding the overarching narrative, the Pieces of Eden, and the motivations of both Assassins and Templars.
- Gameplay Evolution: Seeing how the gameplay mechanics have evolved over time is interesting. You’ll appreciate the improvements and refinements in Origins even more if you’ve experienced the clunkier controls and less refined systems of the earlier games.
- World-Building: The worlds of Assassin’s Creed are meticulously crafted and historically accurate. Exploring different eras and regions before arriving in Ancient Egypt will give you a broader appreciation for the series’ commitment to historical detail.
FAQs: Unveiling the Mysteries
1. Is it OK to start with Assassin’s Creed Origins?
Absolutely! Origins is designed to be an accessible entry point, particularly for players new to the series. The game introduces a new protagonist, a new setting, and a revamped gameplay system that feels fresh and modern. While some plot elements from previous games carry over, the core story of Origins is self-contained and easy to follow.
2. Do I need to play AC Syndicate before Origins?
No, playing Syndicate before Origins is not necessary. While Syndicate has its own merits, its plot is largely independent of Origins. Origins is technically a prequel, focusing on the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood, so you won’t miss out on any crucial story details by skipping Syndicate.
3. Should I play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey before Origins?
As tempting as it might be to jump into ancient Greece, it’s generally recommended to play Origins before Odyssey. While both games share similar gameplay mechanics and RPG elements, Origins is the earlier entry in the timeline and offers a more focused narrative experience. Odyssey is a side-grade to Origins, so playing Origins first is generally a better approach.
4. Is Assassin’s Creed Origins a sequel to Syndicate?
No, Assassin’s Creed Origins is not a direct sequel to Syndicate. While they are part of the same overarching franchise, the stories are unrelated. Origins takes place thousands of years before Syndicate, exploring the events that led to the formation of the Assassin Brotherhood in ancient Egypt.
5. Does the order of Assassin’s Creed games matter?
While there is an overarching narrative, the order in which you play the Assassin’s Creed games is not crucial. Each game tells its own self-contained story within a specific historical setting. However, playing the games in chronological order (Assassin’s Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood, Revelations, etc.) can enhance your understanding of the overall plot and character development.
6. Which is better, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate or Origins?
This is subjective and depends on your preferences. Origins is an open-world action RPG with a strong emphasis on exploration, combat, and character progression. Syndicate, on the other hand, retains more of the traditional Assassin’s Creed formula with a focus on stealth and parkour. Origins is the better choice if you prefer a more modern open-world RPG experience, while Syndicate might appeal to those who enjoy the classic Assassin’s Creed gameplay.
7. Why is Origins considered a good starting point?
Origins introduced a new gameplay system that is more accessible and engaging. Additionally, Origins is a relatively self-contained story, making it easy for new players to jump in without feeling overwhelmed by the lore of previous games.
8. Is Assassin’s Creed Origins a big game?
Yes, Origins is a large open-world game that offers a vast and detailed recreation of ancient Egypt. The game world is filled with quests, activities, and secrets to discover. Completing the main story will take around 30 hours, while achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 80 hours or more.
9. Is Assassin’s Creed Origins good without DLC?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Origins is a fantastic game even without the DLC. The base game offers a rich and engaging experience that is well worth the price of admission. While the DLC packs add additional content and storylines, they are not essential to enjoying the core game.
10. What makes the Ezio Trilogy so important?
The Ezio Trilogy (Assassin’s Creed 2, Brotherhood, and Revelations) is considered essential because it fleshes out the Assassin-Templar conflict and introduces the core tenets of the Assassin Brotherhood. These games provide a foundation for understanding the motivations and ideologies of the Assassins, which are explored further in later entries.
11. Is it necessary to play Assassin’s Creed Rogue?
While Rogue isn’t essential, it does provide an interesting perspective on the Assassin-Templar conflict by allowing you to play as a former Assassin who joins the Templar Order. It fills some gaps in the narrative between Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed III, but it’s not required to understand the plot of Origins.
12. What’s the connection between Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla?
Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla form a loose trilogy of open-world action RPGs set in ancient history. While each game tells its own self-contained story, they share similar gameplay mechanics, themes, and a focus on mythology and ancient civilizations. They all explore the conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood (or its predecessors) and the Templar Order.
13. How long does it take to beat Assassin’s Creed Origins?
Completing the main story of Assassin’s Creed Origins takes around 30 hours. However, if you want to explore the open world, complete side quests, and unlock all the achievements, you can easily spend 80 hours or more with the game.
14. Is stealth important in Assassin’s Creed Origins?
While Origins offers a more flexible approach to combat, stealth is still an important aspect of the gameplay. You can choose to approach missions with a stealthy mindset, using cover, distractions, and assassinations to eliminate targets. Mastering stealth tactics can make difficult encounters much easier.
15. What can the Games Learning Society teach me about game design and learning?
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a valuable resource for understanding the educational potential of video games. They conduct research, share best practices, and promote the use of games for learning across various domains. Exploring their website can provide insights into how game design principles can be applied to education and how games can be used to foster creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision of which Assassin’s Creed games to play before Origins is a personal one. It is all about balancing immersion, historical context, and gameplay preferences. With so many great games, picking the ones that suit your tastes will lead to a fulfilling and exciting experience. Dive into these historical worlds and prepare yourself to unearth the secrets of Ancient Egypt in Assassin’s Creed Origins! You’ll be glad you did.