Assassin's Creed Origins is one of Ubisoft's greatest achievements and easily one of the best entries in the franchise. It successfully reinvented Assassin's Creed without losing sight of what made the series special, blending a massive open world, satisfying RPG mechanics, and a deeply emotional story into an unforgettable experience.
The heart of Origins is Bayek of Siwa. He's not just one of the best protagonists in Assassin's Creed—he's one of the best characters Ubisoft has ever written. Bayek is a father, a Medjay, a protector, and a man consumed by grief after the tragic loss of his son. His journey is driven by revenge, but beneath his anger is a genuinely compassionate person who constantly helps ordinary people despite carrying unimaginable pain. His kindness, wisdom, and humanity make him incredibly easy to connect with, and Abubakar Salim's performance brings every emotion to life. Watching Bayek slowly transform from a loyal Medjay into one of the founders of the Hidden Ones is one of the strongest character arcs in the entire series.
Ancient Egypt is nothing short of breathtaking. Whether you're wandering through Alexandria's bustling streets, climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza, sailing across the Nile, or exploring forgotten tombs deep beneath the desert, the world constantly rewards curiosity. Every region has its own identity, and Ubisoft clearly put an incredible amount of effort into making Egypt feel authentic and alive. Even after dozens of hours, there is always another ruin, cave, temple, or hidden mystery waiting to be discovered.
The gameplay overhaul was exactly what the franchise needed. Combat became much more skill-based, with hitboxes, dodging, shields, different weapon classes, and challenging enemies that encouraged experimentation instead of relying on simple counter-kills. Leveling up feels rewarding without becoming overwhelming, and the skill tree lets you shape Bayek into the kind of Assassin you want to play. Stealth remains satisfying, but now you have more freedom than ever to approach missions however you like.
Side quests are another highlight. Unlike many open-world games where optional content feels repetitive, Origins fills its world with memorable characters and meaningful stories. Many side quests explore the everyday lives of Egyptians and help make the world feel believable rather than simply serving as filler.
The soundtrack deserves special praise. Sarah Schachner's score perfectly captures both the beauty and mystery of Ancient Egypt, creating emotional moments that stay with you long after you've finished the game.
The DLCs are also excellent and genuinely worth playing.
The Hidden Ones serves as a perfect epilogue to the main story. It follows Bayek several years later as he helps establish the Hidden Ones across Egypt and Sinai. The story focuses more on the ideals of the Brotherhood than on revenge, showing how Bayek evolves into a true Mentor. It adds a beautiful new region, great gear, and meaningful lore that every Assassin's Creed fan should experience.
The Curse of the Pharaohs takes a completely different approach. Instead of staying grounded in history, it dives into Egyptian mythology with stunning afterlife realms inspired by ancient beliefs. The DLC features some of the most visually spectacular environments Ubisoft has ever created while still delivering emotional moments tied to Egypt's legends. It's larger than many standalone expansions from other games and feels like a full adventure on its own.
If there's one criticism, it's that the RPG progression can occasionally force you into side content before continuing the main story, and some enemy camps begin to feel familiar after many hours. However, these are small issues in an otherwise outstanding experience.
Assassin's Creed Origins didn't just revive the franchise—it gave it a new identity. It respects the series' history while confidently moving it forward, delivering one of the most immersive worlds, one of the strongest stories, and arguably the greatest protagonist the franchise has ever seen.
Rating: 10/10
"Sleep? I never sleep. I just wait... in the shadows. And I will kill you all. Everyone who sniffed the air that day in Siwa."
