Why is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey So Hard?

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, while a visually stunning and expansive open-world RPG, can present a significant challenge for many players. The difficulty stems from a confluence of factors, including a steep difficulty curve, damage-sponge enemies, a combat system that demands precision, and a grindy leveling system. In essence, the game punishes players who don’t actively engage with its RPG mechanics, forcing them to strategize, upgrade, and adapt constantly.

Understanding the Core Challenges

The Ruthless Difficulty Curve

The early hours of Odyssey can be deceptively easy. However, once you progress beyond the starting areas, the difficulty ramps up considerably. Enemies quickly outlevel you, and even a slight level disadvantage can result in frustratingly long and drawn-out battles. This level scaling isn’t always consistent or fair, leading to situations where you encounter enemies several levels higher than you in seemingly random encounters. This means you can enter a bandit camp assuming you can clear it easily only to get your butt handed to you.

The Damage Sponge Phenomenon

A common complaint is the “damage sponge” nature of enemies, particularly at higher difficulty levels. Enemies, especially bosses and elite soldiers, possess an enormous amount of health, making combat feel tedious and prolonged. Even with upgraded weapons and abilities, whittling down their health bars can be a chore, especially if you’re underleveled or not using an optimal build. This leads to battles relying more on endurance rather than skill.

Mastering the Combat Dance

Odyssey’s combat is more demanding than previous Assassin’s Creed titles. It’s less about simply button-mashing and more about dodging, parrying, and utilizing abilities strategically. This requires a good understanding of enemy attack patterns and timing your moves precisely. For players accustomed to the more forgiving combat of earlier games, this can be a significant adjustment. You need to be adept at using your abilities, like Second Wind, to get yourself out of trouble.

The Grind is Real

To stay competitive and progress through the game, you need to grind for experience points (XP) and resources. This often involves completing side quests, clearing out bandit camps, and hunting animals to gather materials for crafting and upgrading your gear. The need to constantly grind can feel repetitive and detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. The game almost demands that you complete side content.

Gearing Up is Essential

Having the correct equipment is crucial in Odyssey. Upgrading your weapons and armor regularly is a must to keep up with the increasing enemy levels. This requires a significant investment of time and resources, forcing you to constantly hunt for materials or spend drachmae at blacksmiths. The game’s economy doesn’t always feel balanced, which means you need to be smart with your money.

The Importance of Builds and Abilities

Simply swinging your sword won’t cut it in Odyssey. You need to specialize in a particular combat style – Warrior, Hunter, or Assassin – and allocate your ability points accordingly. Choosing the right abilities and synergies between your skills and gear is essential for maximizing your damage output and survivability. Without a proper build, even common enemies can pose a threat.

Mitigation Strategies for a Smoother Experience

Fortunately, Odyssey offers several ways to mitigate its difficulty.

• Lower the Difficulty: This is the most obvious solution, but don’t be afraid to use it. There’s no shame in dropping the difficulty level to enjoy the story without the frustration of constant death. You can change the difficulty at any time in the Gameplay section of the Options menu.
• Focus on Leveling: Prioritize completing quests and activities that grant significant XP to stay ahead of the level curve. Side quests may seem tedious, but they are essential for keeping your character adequately leveled.
• Optimize Your Gear: Regularly upgrade your weapons and armor to maintain their effectiveness. Look for gear with stats that complement your chosen combat style. Visit blacksmiths frequently to upgrade and engrave gear.
• Master the Combat Mechanics: Practice dodging, parrying, and using your abilities effectively. Learn enemy attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses. Experiment with different combat styles to find what works best for you.
• Experiment with Builds: Explore different ability combinations to find a build that suits your playstyle. Don’t be afraid to respec your abilities if you’re not satisfied with your current build. There are plenty of online resources detailing optimal builds for various combat styles.

Assassin’s Creed: A Franchise of Shifting Sands

Odyssey’s difficulty also reflects the shift in the Assassin’s Creed franchise towards a more RPG-focused experience. While this has brought exciting new features and deeper customization, it also means that players need to approach the game with a different mindset than previous installments. For those accustomed to stealth and one-hit assassinations, Odyssey can be a rude awakening.

The Future of the Assassin’s Creed Franchise

With upcoming titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage promising a return to the series’ stealth roots, it’s clear that Ubisoft is experimenting with different approaches to gameplay. Whether you prefer the challenging RPG elements of Odyssey or the more traditional stealth gameplay of earlier titles, there’s likely an Assassin’s Creed game out there for you. Check out resources from academic organizations, such as the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, to learn more about the evolution of gaming design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you change the difficulty level in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Yes, you can change the difficulty level at any time in the Options menu under the Gameplay tab.

2. What difficulty should I play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on?

This depends on your skill level and preference. If you’re new to the series or prefer a more relaxed experience, Easy or Normal are good choices. If you want a challenge, try Hard or Nightmare.

3. Why are enemies so strong in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Enemies scale to your level, but if they are a higher level than you, they will be significantly stronger. This encourages players to level up and upgrade their gear.

4. How do I level up quickly in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Focus on completing main story quests and side quests, clearing out bandit camps, and participating in conquest battles. Using XP boost items can also help.

5. What are the best weapons and armor in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

There is no single “best” weapon or armor, as it depends on your playstyle. However, legendary gear sets often provide powerful bonuses. The Demigod set is a particularly potent choice.

6. How do I upgrade my weapons and armor in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Visit a blacksmith and spend resources to upgrade your gear. You’ll need materials like iron, leather, and wood, which can be found by exploring the world and completing quests.

7. What is the best combat style in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

The best combat style depends on your preference. Warrior is focused on melee combat, Hunter specializes in ranged attacks, and Assassin emphasizes stealth and assassination.

8. How do I parry in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Press the L1/LB button (depending on your platform) just before an enemy attack lands. A successful parry will stagger the enemy, allowing you to follow up with a counterattack.

9. How do I dodge in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Press the R1/RB button (depending on your platform) to dodge. Dodging is essential for avoiding enemy attacks and creating openings for your own attacks.

10. Is it better to play as Kassandra or Alexios in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

This is largely a matter of personal preference. However, many players prefer Kassandra due to her voice acting performance.

11. How long does it take to beat Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

The main story takes around 45 hours to complete. A completionist run can take upwards of 140 hours.

12. What is the hardest animal to defeat in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

The Erymanthian Boar is widely considered the most challenging animal to defeat due to its poisonous attacks and aggressive behavior.

13. Why do I have to grind so much in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

The game’s RPG mechanics require you to level up and upgrade your gear to stay competitive. Grinding is often necessary to acquire the resources and XP needed to progress.

14. Is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey harder than Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

Many players find Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to be more difficult due to its steeper difficulty curve and emphasis on grinding. However, this is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and preferences.

15. Can I romance characters in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey?

Yes, you can romance several characters throughout the game. These romances are often short-lived trysts or affairs rather than deep, long-term relationships.