Assassin's Creed Origins is a single-player historical open-world game set in ancient Egypt, boasting stellar story, mechanics, graphics, and soundtrack. The Gold Edition includes two major expansions, the Deluxe Pack, and the Season Pass. Explore a country full of mystery, pyramids, and dangers, while uncovering the origins of the Assassin's Brotherhood. However, be prepared for grinding, bugs, and some ads, while enjoying the stunning atmosphere and emotional narrative.
The story of *Assassin's Creed Origins* is generally well-received, focusing on the character Bayek of Siwa and his quest for revenge following the death of his son, which leads to the formation of the Assassin Brotherhood. While many players appreciate the rich historical setting of ancient Egypt and the emotional depth of the narrative, some criticize the pacing and the necessity of grinding side quests to progress in the main story, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging plot and character development, despite some repetitive side missions and a less compelling modern-day storyline.
“The story is engaging and the side quests add to the experience; I care about the characters and the story is fantastic. I wish I never refunded the game and will certainly buy it again when it is on sale to make sure I always have it in my library.”
“The story is captivating and the playability is great! The story is rich, although the side quests can get repetitive quickly, and the setting is amazing.”
“The story is well-written and engaging, with well-developed characters and a strong sense of historical accuracy. The game features stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and an engaging storyline that offers a unique and memorable gaming experience.”
“The story feels uninspiring and the combat is clunky.”
“The main story is very catchy and it is easy to lose track of time when playing this game, but it could use some improvements.”
“The story is a classic revenge story that ac players are familiar with ezio's saga.”
gameplay
4,362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The gameplay in *Assassin's Creed Origins* has undergone a significant overhaul, transitioning to a more RPG-focused system that incorporates leveling, skill trees, and loot mechanics, which some players find refreshing while others miss the traditional stealth elements of earlier titles. The combat mechanics are generally praised for being more engaging and challenging, though they can feel repetitive over time, especially with the abundance of side quests and similar mission structures. Overall, the game is noted for its stunning visuals and immersive world, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of open-world RPGs, despite some criticisms regarding its departure from classic *Assassin's Creed* gameplay.
“The gameplay is awesome with satisfying stealth play and engaging melee combat.”
“The gameplay, coupled with the awkward keybinds, makes it worse.”
“The gameplay is fluid and dynamic, with a revamped combat system that allows for more freedom and strategy.”
“The gameplay is also not good.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and story is terrible.”
“The gameplay is a glorious blend of action, stealth, and exploration.”
graphics
3,596 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The graphics of "Assassin's Creed Origins" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and lifelike representation of ancient Egypt, with many players praising the vibrant environments and intricate character models. However, some users have reported performance issues, including frame rate drops and optimization problems, particularly in urban areas, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game's visuals are often highlighted as a standout feature, making it a visually impressive entry in the Assassin's Creed series.
“Graphics are great, very detailed and lifelike, but sandy environments and never-ending ruins start to grate on you by the 30th hour of playing.”
“The gameplay and graphics are outstanding on a modern system.”
“The graphics are incredible, and the game world is massive and meticulously detailed, making it easy to get lost in the immersive experience.”
“The graphics are terrible, the character movement flow is awful, and controls are clunky like in the old games.”
“I played this game for 15 hours and it freezes many times, making it very annoying while playing.”
“The graphics are not the newest you can get, but I prefer decent/better fps than good graphics.”
optimization
1,580 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
51%
30%
The optimization of Assassin's Creed Origins has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in densely populated areas like cities, where frame rates can drop dramatically. While some users with high-end systems experience smooth gameplay, others with mid-range setups face stuttering and high CPU usage, often attributed to the game's dual DRM systems. Overall, while the game boasts impressive graphics, its optimization remains a major concern, leading to frustration among players who expect a more stable experience.
“The game is well optimized for PC (unlike AC Odyssey).”
“In terms of performance and optimization, the game runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, and the visuals are nothing short of breathtaking.”
“The graphics are insane if you can run it at high or very high, and the game is surprisingly well optimized for low-end PCs and laptops as well.”
“Even years later, the game is still not optimized and is very glitchy on a relatively strong and fast PC.”
“The biggest con would be how badly optimized this was and they never fixed it since launching on PC.”
“The game is completely unplayable, constantly freezing for 10 seconds at a time and crashing, and I'm playing on a 2070 Super, i7 9700K, and 32GB of RAM, and it runs this bad even on low settings.”
grinding
800 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
12%
87%
The grinding aspect of *Assassin's Creed Origins* has received mixed feedback from players. Many find the game excessively grindy, requiring significant time spent on side quests and resource farming to progress in the main story, which can lead to a tedious experience. However, some players appreciate the depth and exploration opportunities provided by the grinding, noting that it can be enjoyable if approached with the right mindset, especially given the game's beautiful setting and engaging story. Overall, while the grinding is a prominent feature, opinions vary on whether it enhances or detracts from the overall experience.
“You can probably finish the main story in 25-30 hours, not too grindy; if you are underleveled, just do some secondary missions.”
“On its own, it is a good game. Even if it wasn't in the AC franchise, it stands out as a fun RPG with great combat mechanics, a crafting system that isn't grindy, and a story that's very personal.”
“It's fun, not too grindy, and has tons of really interesting secrets to explore.”
“The amount of grinding you have to do in it is absolutely insane.”
“This game is very, very grindy and takes the enjoyment out of playing Origins.”
“The game is beautiful, the setting is interesting (but can feel empty in certain places) and can be excruciatingly grindy at times, which sucks the enjoyment out of the game.”
music
573 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The music in "Assassin's Creed Origins" has received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the soundtrack for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, particularly highlighting its Egyptian-inspired instrumentals and the work of composer Sarah Schachner, which enhances the game's setting and narrative depth. However, some players feel that the music can be repetitive and lacks variety, with instances of it being too subtle or infrequent during gameplay, leading to moments of silence that detract from the overall experience.
“The simple, yet suitable and effective soundtrack on top of that along with a touch of mythology made the atmosphere feel amazing.”
“I loved the music because of the Egyptian-inspired instrumentals, with NPCs singing songs in the streets and fields. It was cool to stand there and watch them dancing, contrasting Egypt's mystery, beauty, and diversity.”
“The soundtrack of the game is just as beautiful, with great music and ambient sounds that really bring life into the game.”
“Music: almost no ambient music, the soundtrack is boring; it only has 1 good song and it's Ezio's family.”
“The music isn't really great like the others.”
“The soundtrack is weak compared to the Ezio trilogy.”
stability
569 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
1%
90%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users noted minor glitches that did not detract from their overall experience, a substantial number experienced severe issues, including the game freezing during critical moments and requiring hard resets. Overall, the game's performance appears inconsistent, particularly on certain hardware configurations, leading to frustration among players.
“The game runs great on my old GTX 960 and current GTX 1060.”
“Game is perfectly optimized and runs great on my GTX 1070.”
“At the time of writing this review, the game is also virtually bug free for an Ubisoft title which only makes the experience that much better.”
“Most people play then delete the game right after to stop it from further crashing their computer... and by crash I mean it freezes your computer and forces you to hard shutdown.”
“I've played 9 hours in the game so far but had to do 2 hours of troubleshooting to play the game.”
“The game freezes every 10 minutes, bad optimization.”
monetization
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
76%
17%
The monetization aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced single-player title. While some reviews note that these microtransactions are not intrusive and can be ignored, others argue that they disrupt the gameplay experience and feel predatory, particularly when tied to time-saving options and cosmetic items. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be enjoyed without spending additional money, the inclusion of microtransactions detracts from its value and raises concerns about the direction of modern gaming practices.
“Microtransactions and time savers: similar to other titles in the series, the inclusion of microtransactions and time-saving options may not sit well with some players, although they are entirely optional.”
“While there are microtransactions, there is a way in the game to acquire shop items randomly, and it has been very generous in my experience.”
“Yes, there are microtransactions in the game, but luckily you don’t need to purchase anything at all, as you can play normally without them.”
“The game does not get any support, has very predatory monetization practices for a single player game, and I really discourage purchasing Ubisoft games because they shut down servers for their games all the time, ignoring anyone who had purchased the game.”
“On top of that, this game is riddled with in-game advertisements and pay-for-cosmetics, which is ridiculous and obscene in a single player game.”
“The whole game is built around a grind so they can charge you microtransactions for timesavers, which is ridiculous.”
atmosphere
321 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The atmosphere in "Assassin's Creed Origins" is widely praised for its stunning recreation of ancient Egypt, featuring breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and a rich cultural backdrop that enhances exploration and storytelling. Players appreciate the attention to detail, from the vibrant environments to the atmospheric soundtrack, which collectively create a captivating and engaging experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and historical authenticity are considered standout elements that draw players into the game's world.
“The haunting melodies, the rhythmic beats, and the ambient sounds of ancient Egypt enhanced the atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that lingered even after I put down the controller.”
“The atmosphere in this game is unmatched and only touched by the Paris setting in Unity.”
“The graphics are stunning, the audio is great, and the overall atmosphere is phenomenal, but the gameplay is lacking.”
“0 atmosphere and lack of music does not help.”
“Having to restart the game a bunch of times just ruins the atmosphere and story of the game.”
“The atmosphere in the game is apparently poor as you do not feel the vibes of ancient Egypt as those are not presented properly.”
emotional
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
87%
13%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heart-wrenching narrative centered around Bayek's quest for revenge and the deep connections between characters, particularly between Bayek and his wife, Aya. Many players report being emotionally invested, experiencing moments of sadness and nostalgia throughout the story, which is enriched by well-developed characters and historical context. However, some critiques highlight that certain side quests detract from the emotional impact, and not all characters resonate equally, leading to mixed feelings about the overall narrative depth.
“The story is heart-breaking, emotion evoking, and just truly beautiful.”
“Bayek's emotional depth and his quest for justice provide a strong backbone to the game's narrative.”
“The story, the atmosphere, the people you meet, it's something you find yourself getting emotionally invested in.”
“The problem is that we follow this amazing character through a painfully average and boring story, along boring and straight up bad side quests and side content, he interacts with barely developed characters and isn't allowed to reach his full potential at all.”
“Totaly lost all interest in the game because of the dull and boring story.”
“Boring story, no bond to the characters.”
humor
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in both intentional comedic moments and unintentional glitches. Many reviews highlight the protagonist Bayek's subtle humor and the entertaining side quests, while others point out the hilarity of gameplay bugs and NPC interactions. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor, making for a lighthearted experience amidst its more serious themes.
“I think I missed the deep symbolism of the scene because I was laughing out loud at how stupid that scene seemed to me.”
“The autopilot for the mounts is hilarious though.”
“Loved the part where I brought the dead father to the dead mother and kid and it said 'family reunion', 8/10 funny game.”
“The humor in this game feels insignificant and often relies on glitches rather than clever writing.”
“I found the jokes to be flat and lacking any real punch, making the humor fall completely flat.”
“The attempts at humor are so forced that they often detract from the overall experience.”
character development
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
43%
17%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with Bayek being a well-crafted protagonist that players can connect with, while other characters, particularly Aya, receive less attention and depth. Many reviews highlight the historical authenticity and emotional resonance of Bayek's journey, but criticize the lack of development for supporting characters and the rushed storytelling in certain parts. Overall, while some players appreciate the RPG-like character progression and the depth of Bayek's story, others feel that it falls short compared to previous entries in the franchise.
“As we navigate Bayek through the remnants of pre-Assassin Brotherhood days, the blend of historical authenticity and carefully crafted character development becomes a hallmark of the game.”
“Character development: Bayek is a well-developed protagonist, and you'll quickly find yourself attached to his character.”
“The new characters introduced to the world were authentic, and Bayek's character development made him more and more relatable.”
“Tl:dr - AC Origins has fun gameplay, a large and sprawling map with lots of locations and quests to explore, lots of customization options, but has a lackluster plot riddled with poor storytelling and no character development.”
“Terrible character development, where other characters you meet for 5 minutes suddenly die and Bayek cries over for much longer than we even knew these characters.”
“No character development, no emotional triggers, no ambition or drive, no twists... nothing.”
replayability
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it infinitely replayable due to its vast content and engaging mechanics, while others criticize it for lacking significant replay value after completing the main story. Many reviews highlight the absence of a manual save feature and repetitive gameplay as factors that diminish the desire to replay. Overall, the experience varies greatly among players, with some enjoying the exploration and side quests, while others feel it lacks depth for multiple playthroughs.
“Assassin's Creed Origins boasts an abundance of content and replayability.”
“There is enough replayable content in this game to relax to and play for years, if not forever, if you learn how to enjoy yourself.”
“The visuals are amazing, the story has meaning, and the game has replay value.”
“But the lack of a manual save is a big problem, and I doubt the game will have the same replay value that Odyssey does when I have finally finished the main quest.”
“Replayability is something this game lacks in my opinion; I don't see myself going through the game again outside of doing the main story.”
“Overall the combat is pretty repetitive, and I don't see replayability value unless you're hunting for achievements.”