Blake-BBY
- edited
Authored by: Nick Gee
The cult classic franchise based on the ancestry of past assassins returns today after a long-awaited year hiatus. With a brand-new dynamic character and immersive setting Ubisoft aims to return the juggernaut franchise to the top of gaming pyramid (excuse the pun). To no one’s surprise Assassins Creed Origins was the most talked about game on Social Media during E3 2017 and with good reason. During Microsoft’s E3 presentation the gaming world was formally introduced to another iteration in the Assassins Creed family. Showcasing an abundance of new features and beautiful locals, Ubisoft came out swinging showing the beefy amount of content that was added due to a longer development cycle.
Before the Creed:
Assassins Creed Origins takes place 1000 years before any major entry in the series and is touted as the origin of the brotherhood. As a major fan of the series I have always wondered how the brotherhood came to be. Who started it? Were the templars established before the Assassins? This game promises to answers those questions and more by providing a juicy backstory within the highly fan requested era of Ancient Egypt. You take on the persona of Sheriff Bayek as he goes through multiple trials that test his faith in structured governmental policies and political affairs. Much remains to be seen if Bayek will live up to other iconic assassins like Edward Kenway and Ezio Auditore, but the common theme with beloved characters from the franchise is that they don’t start off as assassins.
Gameplay Improvements:
Assassins Creed has always played on three staple gameplay mechanics within its franchise’s long history. Parkour, stealth & sword play have always been at the heart of every game, so what does Assassins Creed Origins do to improve on these mechanics? Ubisoft has stated that parkour mechanics have gone under moderate revisions to provide a smoother experience for the player. Stealth is surprisingly flexible allowing for players to move at their own freedom instead of pre-established areas. I've always found it silly when a Master Assassin could only assassinate most of his/her enemies in a convenient patch of overgrown grass. The best improvement is the upgrade of the enemy AI. No longer do enemies line up waiting to get slaughtered in a frenzy of button smashing. Using a variety of weapons to tackle crowds of enemies is more critical than ever as enemies will counter and expose every flaw in the players tactics. For those seeking a refreshing challenge, this new melee combat system will provide a great deal of fun.
Assassin Fandom:
My total admiration for this series began when I picked up the critically acclaimed Assassins Creed 2. The characters, music, setting and variety of stories truly make each Assassins Creed something truly special. Each yearly release was met with a swift purchase and long gaming sessions into the night. It’s a series that I can never put down once I pick it up, so when Ubisoft announced that they were giving the series an extended break I was torn. I wanted a new experience so badly, but I also knew that fans were starting to have franchise fatigue and that it was ultimately for the best. With Assassins Creed Origins, I can see the amount of effort and care that Ubisoft has put into this next entry. The game is going to blow me away and I can’t wait to see what secrets are in store in this next entry within the Assassins Creed Universe.
The Best Buy Brotherhood:
Best Buy has been an instrument of the Assassin Brotherhood for years. Harboring and training future assassins to take on the tyranny of the Templars. Best Buy has everything a new initiate will need to take on world’s greatest evil. From ancient stories that have been reworked into the latest phenomena that is video games, to ancient statues of legendary master assassins. Best Buy is the premiere destination to uncover the origins of the Assassins Creed. And remember; nothing is true, everything is permitted!
