Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a typical Ubisoft product and a perfect example of what's going wrong in the gaming industry for years now.
I've never liked the AC franchise, even back in 2007. The only reason why I bought Odyssey is because of the historical period and the lack of games which have in it. A lot of people like to point out how much content it offers but in truth is quantity over quality, in an old Ubisoft fashion.
A question, that is often asked when it comes to historically inspired games, is how historically accurate it is.
Although the world is true to history (more about it below), there are a lot of historical inaccuracies for gameplay's sake like Sparta magically having a big navy and Athens can magically hold its own in all these open land battles. For some reason, both armies don't know anything about strategies, doctrines or even combat formations. Big conquest battles are chaotic 1v1 fights. A lot of the weapons look too big and I don't understand why? It doesn't even make the look "cooler" or "more epic". The majority of Greeks look like modern Arabs from North Africa.
The Good:
• Odyssey's world is the best recreation of Ancient Greece that you will find anywhere! This is the main reason why I have spent so many hours. Ubisoft included so many small details that truly make the world-historical accurate. The best example is probably coloured statues. The world is filled with recreations of real monuments and buildings. It is huge and diverse with plenty of content in it. The game also has a database function where you can visit and learn all about the Greek world.
• The inclusion of mythical creatures is done very well and doesn't break the immersion. They are all in remote __cpLocations, can be missed and don't affect the overall story. A fun addition.
• A wide variety of gear. Most of it is historically accurate but some of it is inspired by Greek myths and Greek heroes. For example the Agamemnon or Achilles armours.
• I liked the idea behind the Cult of Kosmos controlling both sides in the war for their purposes.
The Bad and the Ugly:
• The story is weird. But you never really care about any of the characters or feel connected to them.
• Far from being a true RPG! None of your choices matter or have any consequences except when it comes to your family members - kill them or spare them. That's it! You don't even have a role to play. People consider you a demigod. No classes. You can be a good assassin, hunter and warrior at the same time.
• Arcade mechanics and gameplay with little to no challenge. The AI is terrible. Enemies are often blind and deaf. They won't even alarm others when they find bodies. There is no fall damage! You can jump from wherever you want and won't die. You eagle can spot and mark everything even if it's underground. How about being ambushed by 2-5 damage sponge mercenaries? Very good idea, right?
• Most NPC look the same and the characters are very poorly animated in cutscenes. Far from AAA quality for 60€. The emotional reactions and facial motions are simply terrible.
• I'm not against representing females more in different media but how exactly does constantly killing women, some of which look like males, help?
• Odyssey is poorly optimized and people have been complaining since launch. Texture popping, crashes and stuttering are common even on a high-end PC.
• Ubisofts greed got bigger with every patch. Increasing the level cap (twice already, almost doubling it from 50 -> 70 -> 99) and lowering resource gain from in-game mechanics with every update is just to be explained with them trying to force you either into a needless, unnecessary grind that is frustrating or into spending money on their helix credits and in-game boosters. This, considering we are talking about a full-prized single-player game is just infuriating and outrageous.
• Don't bother with the DLCs! Uninspired, mediocre and more of the same. Not worth the 40€ (!!!).
Conclusion:
Not a game I will ever replay. Recommend only when on sale because of the world and the amount of content it offers even though it's repetitive.
I've never liked the AC franchise, even back in 2007. The only reason why I bought Odyssey is because of the historical period and the lack of games which have in it. A lot of people like to point out how much content it offers but in truth is quantity over quality, in an old Ubisoft fashion.
A question, that is often asked when it comes to historically inspired games, is how historically accurate it is.
Although the world is true to history (more about it below), there are a lot of historical inaccuracies for gameplay's sake like Sparta magically having a big navy and Athens can magically hold its own in all these open land battles. For some reason, both armies don't know anything about strategies, doctrines or even combat formations. Big conquest battles are chaotic 1v1 fights. A lot of the weapons look too big and I don't understand why? It doesn't even make the look "cooler" or "more epic". The majority of Greeks look like modern Arabs from North Africa.
The Good:
• Odyssey's world is the best recreation of Ancient Greece that you will find anywhere! This is the main reason why I have spent so many hours. Ubisoft included so many small details that truly make the world-historical accurate. The best example is probably coloured statues. The world is filled with recreations of real monuments and buildings. It is huge and diverse with plenty of content in it. The game also has a database function where you can visit and learn all about the Greek world.
• The inclusion of mythical creatures is done very well and doesn't break the immersion. They are all in remote __cpLocations, can be missed and don't affect the overall story. A fun addition.
• A wide variety of gear. Most of it is historically accurate but some of it is inspired by Greek myths and Greek heroes. For example the Agamemnon or Achilles armours.
• I liked the idea behind the Cult of Kosmos controlling both sides in the war for their purposes.
The Bad and the Ugly:
• The story is weird. But you never really care about any of the characters or feel connected to them.
• Far from being a true RPG! None of your choices matter or have any consequences except when it comes to your family members - kill them or spare them. That's it! You don't even have a role to play. People consider you a demigod. No classes. You can be a good assassin, hunter and warrior at the same time.
• Arcade mechanics and gameplay with little to no challenge. The AI is terrible. Enemies are often blind and deaf. They won't even alarm others when they find bodies. There is no fall damage! You can jump from wherever you want and won't die. You eagle can spot and mark everything even if it's underground. How about being ambushed by 2-5 damage sponge mercenaries? Very good idea, right?
• Most NPC look the same and the characters are very poorly animated in cutscenes. Far from AAA quality for 60€. The emotional reactions and facial motions are simply terrible.
• I'm not against representing females more in different media but how exactly does constantly killing women, some of which look like males, help?
• Odyssey is poorly optimized and people have been complaining since launch. Texture popping, crashes and stuttering are common even on a high-end PC.
• Ubisofts greed got bigger with every patch. Increasing the level cap (twice already, almost doubling it from 50 -> 70 -> 99) and lowering resource gain from in-game mechanics with every update is just to be explained with them trying to force you either into a needless, unnecessary grind that is frustrating or into spending money on their helix credits and in-game boosters. This, considering we are talking about a full-prized single-player game is just infuriating and outrageous.
• Don't bother with the DLCs! Uninspired, mediocre and more of the same. Not worth the 40€ (!!!).
Conclusion:
Not a game I will ever replay. Recommend only when on sale because of the world and the amount of content it offers even though it's repetitive.