Why Assassin's Creed Origins Is Regarded As The Best In The Series

With their captivating stories and refreshing gameplay (particularly in the earlier entries), one thing that Assassin's Creed games are known for is their breathtaking, historic settings, backed up by impressively immersive world building.

After a string of releases since 2007, Ubisoft took the games in a new direction in 2017 with Assassin's Creed Origins (AC Origins). This would redefine the series and become a fan favorite. But how did AC Origins pull this off?

The Setting

For the first time, fans are transported back to 49 - 43 BC Egypt, as the Ptolemaic period is nearing its end. From vast dunes, hidden pyramids, and the struggle for political reign by Cleopatra, Ubisoft does a stunning job of bringing Ancient Egypt to life, giving you a glimpse of how life once was in a kingdom shrouded in mythology.

Of course, Ancient Egypt has been heavily explored as a historical backdrop among many products within the entertainment sector. It's the topic of countless documentaries, films, and shows such as The Mummy franchise, but also has been used heavily by game developers in other industries, too.

For example, online casinos feature a plethora of incredibly popular Ancient Egypt-related titles, like Big Egyptian Fortune and Age of Egypt. These adventure slots have everything you would expect in an Egyptian-themed game: mummies, hieroglyphs, and Cleopatra herself.

New audiences are constantly drawn in to a variety of providers, such as Buzz Bingo, for their extensive selection of Egyptian mythology based games. The quality of the titles are well-reputed owing to impressive graphics and soundtracks.

With all this in mind, it's clear to see that Ancient Egypt-inspired content is rife because players and spectators continue to consume products inspired by this era.

The Gameplay

AC Origins would see its gameplay be redefined, from combat to a new leveling system. Previous Assassin's Creed games relied on a more 'hack-and-slash' approach with predictable enemy AI movement.

The new combat system meant players had to think more strategically about their offense and defense strategies, and these tactics would be shaped by the type of weapon they had at their disposal, bringing a new challenge and change of pace for fans.

The brand-new leveling system, never seen before in an Assassin's Creed game, would add more depth to your character's sense of progression throughout the story. For each main mission and side quest you complete, players gain experience points that would eventually grant you a skill point every time you level up. These skill points could be used to make your character more powerful, whether it's in stealth, archery, or melee combat.

The Protagonist

Alongside Assassin's Creed 2's Ezio Auditore, Bayek (the protagonist of AC Origins) comes packed with emotional depth and character development that's seen him win over the hearts of many fans. After the murder of his son, Bayek embarks on a hunt across Egypt, looking for those responsible for his son's death.

It's a gut-wrenching experience that has Bayek handling the grief and trials and tribulations of being a father, and through the screen, you empathize with a man riddled with conflict, and grinning at subtle moments of comedy. Throughout this journey, you learn how the Creed came into power that would ultimately shape the story of its predecessors.

AC Origins was a four-year development process, and even five years after its release, we can see that the time put into the game crafted an emotional endeavor that sets itself apart from other entries in the series, and, in the eyes of many fans, claims the throne for the strongest Assassin's Creed title.

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