Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

As a historical novelist and former high school English teacher with over 700 books in my home devoted to ancient Greek literature, history and culture I had to try this game.
I should mention that I am pushing 60 years old and although I like strategy games like Creative Assembly’s Rome II, I’m not a fan of ‘gopher’ games that make you run around collecting items, rescuing damsels in distress, delivering messages, and murdering politicians to level your character. The whole premises seems rather tedious and unimaginative.
So right from the start I expected to hate Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Combine that with the fact that I’d never played an Assassin’s Creed game before, and I am not the most nimble finger clicker, I was prepared to spend a good portion of my playing time getting my head lopped off.
None of that happened. Well, yeah, there is a pretty steep learning curve here. I did spend a lot of my initial hours zigging when I should have been zagging, and with my opponent’s spear in my head, but I stuck with it and eventually even an old poop like me was able to figure out the mechanics.
What kept me going was the sheer majesty of the game and the beauty of the surroundings.
I’ve been to Athens, Sparta, Argos, Mycenae, Delos, Aegina, Hydra, Crete, Melos (now Santorini), and dozens of other locales on the campaign map multiple times. I’ve walked around the ruins at Delphi, strolled the docks of Piraeus and walked through valley of Laconia for research for my books. I wanted to see these places at they might have looked 2,500 years ago and that for me is the true joy of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
The team at Ubisoft deserves a lot of credit. They did their homework. Sure, you’d expect to see historical figures like Pericles, Socrates, Alcibiades and Archidamas in a game about the Peloponnesian War. But that anyone outside of academia even knows who Brasidas, Aspasia, Herodotus and Pausanias were, is impressive. Kudos to you.
I’m probably an oddball gamer because I was not motivated by stabbing people in the back to gain levels and steal loot. The entire idea of stabbing people in the back goes against the grain of the Greek ethos of ‘kleos’ or honor. What kept me going was the desire to see more of the world that Ubisoft created.
I wanted to visit the Athenian Acropolis and see the Propylaea, Erechtheion and Parthenon as they were shiny and new, instead of in piles of rubble. I wanted to gaze up at Phidias' statue of Zeus in Olympus (one of the wonders of the ancient Greek world that no longer exists), speak to the Pythia at the temple of Delphi, and see the five villages of Sparta as they might have looked. Getting to walk the streets of Athens, Argos and Elis was like taking a trip back in time. Magical.
Okay, the game isn’t perfect. The pronunciation of common names like Pericles and Socrates and the character’s accents were maddening. I can only guess that Ubisoft believes we’ve Americanized the real pronunciations, or at least I hope that’s what they were thinking. Ultimately it’s a minor annoyance.
The hoplite battles were a major disappointment. The Greeks fought in a phalanx formation. Shoulder to shoulder. Shield to shield. The battles here are a 300 movie style free for all. Oh well, guess you can’t have everything.
Also I could not fathom how Alexios and Kassandra could be descended from Leonidas, but have no connection to the Agiad royal family. By rights they should have been Pausanias’ cousins, but they’re not. I don’t know who they are. The whole Pythagoras-is-my-father thing is rather bizarre and makes no sense at all.
I won’t go off the charts here listing the historical inaccuracies that drove me batsh!t crazy, as it serves no purpose. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the game.
If you ever wanted to unravel the labyrinth of the minotaur beneath King Minos palace at Knossos, get drunk and sing songs with Socrates at an Athenian symposium, feel the Aegean Sea roll beneath your feet on the deck of a trireme, or stare out in wonder at the lights twinkling over Attica at twilight, try this game. You won’t be disappointed.

Game Review: Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey
Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★★ (10/10)
"A Journey Worth Taking—Unmissable!"
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey is not just a game—it’s an odyssey in the truest sense of the word. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Ancient Greece, this installment of the beloved franchise elevates the series to new heights with its ambitious open world, compelling characters, and masterful blend of historical drama and mythological wonder.
⚔️ Epic Storytelling That Grabs You from the Start
From the moment you step into the sandals of either Kassandra or Alexios, you’re thrown into a rich narrative full of mystery, betrayal, and heroism. The story, centered around a mercenary caught in the chaos of the Peloponnesian War, offers deeply personal stakes while still touching on broader themes of family, freedom, and destiny. What’s more impressive is the way the game empowers you with meaningful choices—something new to the Assassin’s Creed series. Your decisions have real consequences, shaping relationships, alliances, and even the ending.
🌍 A Breathtaking Open World
The world of Odyssey is massive and meticulously crafted. From sun-drenched islands and bustling Athenian streets to towering mountains and underwater ruins, Ancient Greece has never felt so alive. The level of detail is stunning—the flutter of olive leaves in the wind, the vivid sunsets over the Aegean Sea, and the ambient life teeming in every corner all contribute to a sense of immersion few games can match.
Whether you’re scaling the statues of gods or sailing your ship through stormy waters, the world constantly invites exploration. And trust me—you’ll want to see every inch of it.
🛡️ Combat and Customization That Feels Just Right
Combat in Odyssey is fluid, satisfying, and incredibly customizable. You can tailor your mercenary’s fighting style to suit your own, whether you prefer stealth, brute force, or ranged attacks. With deep RPG mechanics, leveling systems, gear upgrades, and skill trees, you’ll find yourself constantly evolving.
The ship combat, too, is a blast—bringing back the naval gameplay from Black Flag and refining it for this ancient setting. Ramming enemy vessels, launching volleys of arrows, and recruiting new crew members never gets old.
🏛️ A Perfect Blend of History and Myth
While the historical elements are strong and well-researched, Odyssey isn't afraid to lean into the mythology that defines Greek culture. Legendary creatures like Medusa, the Cyclops, and the Minotaur await you in hidden corners of the map. These optional encounters feel like rewards for the most dedicated players and are unforgettable experiences in their own right.
🎭 Voice Acting, Music, and Visuals
The voice acting, particularly for Kassandra (voiced by Melissanthi Mahut), is exceptional—emotionally resonant and filled with personality. The soundtrack is haunting and heroic in equal measure, elevating both quiet moments of exploration and high-stakes combat. Visually, this game is a masterpiece. Even years after its release, it stands tall among the best-looking RPGs out there.
✅ Final Verdict: A Masterpiece of Ancient Proportions
Assassin's Creed® Odyssey is a bold reimagining of the franchise that succeeds on every level. It tells a deeply personal story set in a staggeringly beautiful world, offers player freedom like never before, and effortlessly blends historical authenticity with mythical grandeur.
Whether you're a long-time Assassin’s Creed fan or new to the series, Odyssey is an absolute must-play. It's not just one of the best entries in the franchise—it’s one of the best RPGs of its generation.
👉 Final Score: 10/10 — An epic you must experience.

So... I think this is their masterpiece. I continually return to replay this game (as you can see from the hours on my profile).
An amazing - staggering - open world, vibrant and seemingly never-ending. Night and day cycles and the world sparkles and fades - dawn and dusk are particularly beautiful. The research and attention to detail is incredible. History, myth, legend, all wrapped up in an adventure - the combat is great, the ship combat and mechanics are great - I really can't praise this game enough. Kassandra is my *all time* favourite character to play as. There may be some bugs and glitches, possibly some gameplay annoyances, but these are nothing when you're immersed in the world and the story. Btw, I really don't need my graphics to be better than this. Stunning.

Play this before Valhalla. I got out of the AC franchise a decade ago, because I found the gameplay really formulaic and grindy. If you're a player like me you were lured back into the franchise by Valhalla, and now you're thinking about whether or not you should play any of the games that came before it. The answer is you should play this one. Origins was fine, but more of a standalone. This game bleeds into Valhalla in a number of great ways. I finished the game and all the DLC last night and I already miss Kassandra. This game is incredible. If you like games similar to The Witcher, Red Dead Redemption 2, etc, you will love this.

This is the best Assassin's Creed I've ever played. Before, my favorite was Origins. However, This game is a solid 10/10. I have played over 100 hours, and I still am NO WHERE close to being finished. The map is huge. The graphics are beautiful. It's so different than the other games in the series! I didn't want to purchase it out of fear that it may bore me (I really don't care about Greek Mythology/Ancient Greece), BUT this game is not what I was expecting at all. I want to list some things you should know BEFORE YOU START PLAYING:
1. CHOICES ALWAYS MATTER. This game has 9 different endings. The responses you give to some of the NPCs ultimately determines your outcome of the entire game.
2. YOU GET A BOAT! PIRATE BATTLES! You can use this to travel around all of the islands of ancient Greece, OR you can use fast travel as you unlock them, and FINALLY... By foot. I prefer by foot, because YOU NEED materials to upgrade your weapons. Wood, leather, and iron primarily. DO. NOT. SELL. YOUR. LEATHER. It's the only thing I keep running out of. You can obtain it by hunting.
3. The NPCs dialogues are hilarious. I have laughed so hard at what they've said, so don't skip those scenes!
4. DO NOT SELL ALL SELL-ABLE ITEMS, even if they don't seem like you'll need them. There are side quests that require certain things, (you can google which ones to keep and which ones to sell.) It's easier to already have these things on hand instead of having to go hunt for them. When it comes to weapons, if they're common, sell them or break them down for extra iron and leather etc. Your choice. However, if you have a weapon you REALLY like, you can continue to upgrade it and keep it. You can also engrave weapons, which means add different "perks" ? to them... Like "Deals 15 percent more damage" etc.
5. You are a mercenary... AKA BOUNTY HUNTER. Do not turn down money for jobs, even if you feel bad. I struggled for a while keeping my money up, but then instead of doing things "for free" I decided to start taking their money. Why not.
6. USE IKAROS. Your eagle. You can easily spot treasure, war supplies, soldiers etc. and tag their locations, without having to hunt for them. I use Ikaros way more than I used my bird in Origins, and it's been so helpful!!
Prepare yourself for the plot twists, drama, and funny cut scenes. I love the multiple response options you get in this game, like being able to flirt with other characters... But, also prepare yourself for heartbreak as well. Especially during the beginning of the game, where Kassandra/Alexios has a memory of their childhood... No spoilers here... And it relates to actual Greek Mythology. Pretty cool to learn somewhat, real? History. I am playing as Kassandra, not Alexios, because I read that if you play as her, she has more perks like more empathy and dialogue. This is NOT a boring game, I considered the beginning of Mirage to be boring, and I'm still having problems getting into it. I jumped right on this game, and I cannot rave more about how amazing it is. I wake up wanting to play, I can't touch my other games, it's just not possible. I have too much to do still! I LOVED Origins, and raved about it, but this game definitely has it topped now.
This game is a MUST BUY. A STAPLE. FOR ANYONE who loves open world games. Fighting with swords, spears, bows etc. on games relieves stress in a way that playing CS and using traditional weapons like AKs or knives don't. There aren't many games I would pay full price for, but I'd definitely pay full price for this one. If you can get it on sale, DEFINITELY get this. I'm telling you. It is a work of art!

You kill cyclopses, you kill minotaurs, you slay kings and gods, but in the main quest, I’m running around doing errands to get OIL just so that person can talk to me? The quest design is a complete MALAKA
-the atmosphere and environment were so immersive that there were moments when I forgot to actually play. I recommend playing it, if we exclude the side quests.

However, my biggest issue with Odyssey is its level scaling system. Enemies constantly scale to your level, meaning you never really feel stronger, no matter how much you grind or upgrade your gear. The satisfaction of outleveling enemies and returning to dominate old areas is completely gone. Every encounter feels artificially difficult — not because of smart AI, but because the game adjusts numbers to match you. It turns progression into a treadmill rather than a power fantasy.