Assassin’s Creed: Origins vs. Odyssey – Which Ancient Adventure Reigns Supreme?

The burning question on every Assassin’s Creed fan’s mind: Which is better, Origins or Odyssey? The short answer is…it depends on what you’re looking for. While both games represent a significant departure from the classic Assassin’s Creed formula, embracing a more RPG-centric approach, they offer distinct experiences with their own strengths and weaknesses. Odyssey, with its vast open world, refined combat, and deep RPG elements, emerges as the stronger title for those seeking a grand, sprawling adventure. However, Origins provides a more focused narrative, a grittier atmosphere, and a tighter connection to the established Assassin’s Creed lore, making it preferable for players who value story and a sense of historical authenticity.

Diving Deep: Comparing Core Elements

To truly understand the nuances between these two ancient epics, let’s dissect the core components that define the Assassin’s Creed experience:

• Story and Setting: Origins transports players to Ancient Egypt, a land teeming with intrigue and political turmoil during the reign of Cleopatra. Bayek, a Medjay warrior, embarks on a personal quest for revenge, uncovering a conspiracy that lays the foundation for the Assassin Brotherhood. The narrative is grounded and compelling, offering a poignant exploration of loss and the birth of an ideal. Odyssey, on the other hand, plunges players into Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. Players choose to play as either Alexios or Kassandra, Spartan mercenaries embroiled in a conflict between Athens and Sparta, while also grappling with their own mysterious lineage. The story is more ambitious and fantastical, exploring themes of family, destiny, and the struggle against tyranny.

• Gameplay and Combat: Both games feature revamped combat systems that prioritize action over stealth. Origins introduces a more deliberate and weighty combat style, emphasizing timing and positioning. While the combat in Origins is a big improvement over previous installments, Odyssey truly refines the combat. Odyssey builds upon this foundation with a more fluid and dynamic system, allowing players to chain attacks, parry with greater precision, and unleash devastating special abilities. The option to choose between a lock-on or free-form combat style also provides greater player agency.

• Open World and Exploration: Both Origins and Odyssey boast sprawling open worlds ripe for exploration, but they differ significantly in their design. Origins‘ Egypt is a vast, sandy landscape punctuated by iconic landmarks like the pyramids of Giza and the city of Alexandria. While visually stunning, some players find the environment repetitive. Odyssey‘s Greece, on the other hand, is a more diverse and visually engaging world, comprised of numerous islands, each with its unique landscapes, cultures, and quests. The addition of naval combat further enhances the sense of exploration and adventure.

• RPG Elements: Both games incorporate RPG elements such as character progression, skill trees, and loot systems. Odyssey takes these elements to a greater extreme, allowing players to customize their character’s abilities, gear, and even their moral alignment through dialogue choices. Origins offers a more streamlined RPG experience, focusing on enhancing Bayek’s combat prowess and unlocking new gadgets.

Origins’ Strengths: Narrative Focus and Grounded Realism

Despite its shortcomings in some areas, Origins shines in its narrative focus and grounded realism. The story of Bayek and his wife, Aya, is deeply moving and emotionally resonant, offering a powerful exploration of grief, justice, and the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood. The setting of Ancient Egypt is also meticulously crafted, immersing players in a vibrant and authentic historical world. The gameplay, while less refined than Odyssey‘s, still offers a challenging and rewarding experience.

Odyssey’s Triumphs: Grand Scale and Refined Gameplay

Odyssey excels in its grand scale and refined gameplay. The world of Ancient Greece is vast and diverse, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. The combat system is fluid, dynamic, and highly customizable, allowing players to tailor their fighting style to their preferences. The RPG elements add depth and complexity to the experience, encouraging players to experiment with different builds and choices.

The Verdict: A Matter of Preference

Ultimately, the choice between Origins and Odyssey comes down to personal preference. If you value a compelling narrative, a grounded setting, and a more streamlined RPG experience, Origins is the better choice. However, if you seek a grand, sprawling adventure, a refined combat system, and deep RPG elements, Odyssey is the clear winner. Both games are excellent additions to the Assassin’s Creed franchise and are well worth playing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey bigger than Origins? Yes, Odyssey‘s map is significantly larger than Origins‘ map, offering a vast and diverse open world to explore. According to Powerpyx, Odyssey’s world is 130km squared versus Origins’ 80km squared.

2. What should I play first, Origins or Odyssey? It’s generally recommended to play Origins first. While the stories are largely independent, Origins precedes Odyssey chronologically in the Assassin’s Creed timeline and provides a better understanding of the Brotherhood’s origins.

3. Which Assassin’s Creed has the best graphics? Many fans believe that Assassin’s Creed Unity set the standard for graphics in the franchise. However, both Origins and Odyssey boast stunning visuals and are visually impressive games.

4. Which Assassin’s Creed is the hardest? Assassin’s Creed Unity is often regarded as the most difficult game in the franchise, with challenging combat and control.

5. Is Assassin’s Creed Origins worth playing? Absolutely! Origins is a fantastic game that revitalized the Assassin’s Creed franchise, offering a compelling story, a beautiful open world, and a satisfying gameplay experience.

6. Is Origins shorter than Odyssey? Yes, Origins is significantly shorter than Odyssey, offering a more focused and concise experience. Assassin’s Creed Origins is around 30 hours. Odyssey is around 45 hours.

7. Is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey the best in the series? This is subjective, but many players consider Odyssey to be one of the best Assassin’s Creed games due to its vast open world, refined combat, and deep RPG elements.

8. Which Assassin’s Creed is most like Odyssey? The predecessor to Odyssey is the most similar game in the series, with Assassin’s Creed Origins bringing great characters, combat, and exploration.

9. How long is Assassin’s Creed Origins? The main story of Assassin’s Creed Origins typically takes around 30 hours to complete.

10. Is Odyssey or Valhalla bigger? Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has a bigger map than Valhalla.

11. Why is Origins better than Odyssey, according to some players? Some players prefer Origins for its more grounded narrative, gritty atmosphere, and tighter connection to the Assassin’s Creed lore.

12. What is the bloodiest Assassin’s Creed game? Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the most violent and bloody game in the saga to date.

13. Which Assassin’s Creed is the darkest? Assassin’s Creed III is possibly the darkest of any tale told in the franchise.

14. Which Assassin’s Creed game should I start with if I’m new to the series? The Ezio Collection (AC2, Brotherhood, Revelations) is an excellent starting point, as these games are considered some of the best in the franchise and tell a connected story.

15. Where can I find more information about the impact of games on learning and society? Visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore research, publications, and resources on the educational and social aspects of gaming. The GamesLearningSociety.org has a wealth of knowledge on the impact of games on society.

Ultimately, both Assassin’s Creed: Origins and Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey are outstanding games that offer unique experiences within the Assassin’s Creed universe. Your personal preferences regarding gameplay, story, and setting will ultimately determine which game you enjoy more. So, grab your hidden blade, set sail for adventure, and discover which ancient world captivates you the most!