Assassin’s Creed Origins, developed by Ubisoft and released in October 2017, marked a transformative moment for the long-running Assassin’s Creed series. Set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Cleopatra VII, the game redefined the franchise by introducing deep RPG elements, a reimagined combat system, and an expansive open world that fully embraced the historical grandeur of its setting. Origins not only breathed new life into the Assassin’s Creed formula but also laid the groundwork for its successors, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
A Rebirth of the Assassin’s Creed Franchise
By 2016, the Assassin’s Creed series was in danger of franchise fatigue. After annual releases and mixed reception to titles like Unity (2014) and Syndicate (2015), Ubisoft chose to pause the yearly cycle. The extra development time was granted to the team at Ubisoft Montreal, led by director Ashraf Ismail, and the result was Origins—a bold reinvention of what Assassin’s Creed could be.
This change was not merely cosmetic or mechanical—it was philosophical. Ubisoft recognized the need for a deeper, more engaging experience that prioritized exploration, character development, and storytelling. The result was a game that felt less like a checklist-driven stealth-action title and more like a sweeping epic grounded in historical authenticity and emotional depth.
Setting: Egypt Reborn
One of the most praised aspects of Assassin’s Creed Origins is its setting. Ancient Egypt, circa 49 BCE, is realized with breathtaking detail and cultural sensitivity. The world is vast, varied, and visually stunning, encompassing lush Nile riverbanks, golden deserts, bustling cities like Alexandria and Memphis, pyramids, and mysterious tombs.
Ubisoft’s in-house historians and Egyptologists worked closely with the developers to ensure a faithful recreation of the period. Landmarks such as the Great Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Library of Alexandria are not just static backdrops but living, explorable environments teeming with historical detail. The game also introduces a “Discovery Tour” mode, which removes combat and lets players experience guided tours of historical sites and daily life in Egypt, making it a valuable educational tool.
Narrative and Characters: The Birth of the Brotherhood
At the heart of Origins is the story of Bayek of Siwa, a Medjay—a sort of desert ranger and protector—on a personal journey of loss and vengeance. Following the death of his son Khemu, Bayek and his wife Aya are driven to uncover a shadowy group known as the Order of the Ancients, the forerunners of the Templar Order.
Bayek’s journey is deeply emotional, portraying a man torn between his desire for justice and his personal grief. His character is dignified, morally grounded, and refreshingly human. Aya, his wife and an equally skilled assassin, is portrayed as a strong and politically savvy figure who plays a crucial role in aligning with Cleopatra’s faction in the power struggle for Egypt’s throne.
The story intertwines Bayek’s quest for revenge with the birth of the Assassin Brotherhood. Rather than presenting the Brotherhood as a pre-existing institution, Origins shows it being formed from the ashes of personal trauma and the desire to combat oppression. The narrative gradually introduces the principles of freedom, secrecy, and resistance to tyranny, giving fans of the series a meaningful origin story.
Gameplay and Mechanics: RPG Evolution
One of the biggest changes in Origins is its adoption of role-playing game (RPG) mechanics. Gone are the days of rigid mission structures and binary stealth-success outcomes. In their place is a sprawling, flexible experience that emphasizes player choice, skill progression, and dynamic combat.
Bayek gains experience through quests and exploration, leveling up and unlocking new abilities in three skill trees: Hunter (stealth and ranged), Warrior (melee combat), and Seer (tools and gadgets). Players can craft gear, upgrade weapons, and choose playstyles ranging from stealthy assassinations to all-out combat.
The combat system itself received a complete overhaul. Instead of the rhythmic, counter-based fighting seen in earlier titles, Origins uses a hitbox-based system similar to action RPGs like Dark Souls or The Witcher 3. Players must dodge, block, and carefully time their attacks against various enemy types. Weapons vary significantly in style and effectiveness, including swords, bows, spears, and shields.
Stealth remains an option, and while the classic “eagle vision” is replaced with Senu, Bayek’s loyal eagle companion, the game encourages players to scout from the skies, tag enemies, and plan their approach accordingly. This integration of animal companions adds a new dimension to both exploration and strategy.
Side Content and World Design
The side quests in Assassin’s Creed Origins represent a leap forward in narrative quality. Instead of generic fetch or kill missions, many side quests have fully voiced characters, mini-stories, and moral complexity. These stories often explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, oppression, and hope, enhancing the immersive quality of the game world.
From gladiatorial arenas to ancient tombs, and from bandit camps to massive military forts, the world of Egypt is packed with activities. Naval combat returns in limited sections, mainly through Aya’s missions, offering thrilling ship-based battles reminiscent of Black Flag.
The environmental storytelling is also notable. Players can discover ancient artifacts, explore the ruins of long-lost temples, and even engage in mythological side quests that hint at the supernatural elements of ancient belief systems. These moments provide a sense of wonder and remind players that they are traversing a land rich in history, myth, and magic.
Visuals and Audio
Graphically, Origins is a masterpiece. The dynamic weather system, lighting effects, and detailed textures create a breathtaking recreation of Egypt. Whether you’re watching the sunrise over the Nile or exploring an underground tomb by torchlight, the visual fidelity enhances the sense of immersion.
The soundtrack, composed by Sarah Schachner, blends traditional Middle Eastern instruments with cinematic orchestration. It captures both the majesty and melancholy of Bayek’s journey and complements the game’s tone perfectly.
Modern Day Storyline
As with all Assassin’s Creed games, Origins includes a modern-day storyline. This time, it introduces Layla Hassan, an Abstergo researcher who stumbles upon Bayek and Aya’s DNA and discovers the origins of the Assassins. While her story is more minimal compared to the historical narrative, it serves to reconnect the player with the franchise’s overarching lore and sets the stage for future titles.
Impact and Legacy
Assassin’s Creed Origins was met with critical acclaim for its bold reinvention of the franchise. It was praised for its storytelling, setting, RPG elements, and world design. While some long-time fans missed the more focused, stealth-heavy gameplay of earlier titles, many welcomed the shift toward a more immersive and dynamic experience.
More importantly, Origins influenced the direction of the series moving forward. It laid the foundation for Odyssey (2018) and Valhalla (2020), both of which continued to expand on the RPG formula and further explore different historical periods.
Ubisoft’s gamble to revamp the franchise paid off. Origins showed that Assassin’s Creed could be more than just a stealth-action series—it could be a fully-fledged RPG with emotional depth, historical insight, and open-world grandeur.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed Origins stands as a landmark entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Through its breathtaking depiction of ancient Egypt, compelling narrative, and bold gameplay innovations, it rejuvenated a series in need of transformation. More than just a prequel, it is a spiritual rebirth—a story about loss, justice, and the creation of a creed that would shape the course of history.
Whether you’re a veteran fan or a newcomer to the series, Origins offers a rich, rewarding experience that combines action, exploration, and storytelling into one of the most memorable journeys in modern gaming.
