Assassin's Creed Origins (2017)

So my enjoyment of this game took a hard left turn towards the end. The game just refused to end. There were, no joke, three instances where I was like "Ah, ok this is definitely the end" and NOPE, 7 more hours left. They introduced characters left and right, and we're still doing so by the last 2 hours. The game also feels like 3 games in 1, to it's detriment. It's actually often more Greece centric than it is Egypt, it feels. And in the last few hours you're fighting Romans, also. I bought this game because I LOVE ancient Egypt, but I feel like they didn't do much at all with the major landmarks. The pyramids at Giza we're just, like, there. There was a little with them, but only a little.

I gave the game a 4 because, while it soured pretty hard at the end for me, 75% of me playing that game was a joy, even if the story and characters were weak. Part of the reason I was so keen ok finishing it quickly is not the games fault, also. Yes, it's padded and the pacing is bizarre in the last 7 or so hours. However, I just have a lot going on at the moment with trying to ship my first book (wexsdrift.com), and I really wanted to put this game to bed and focus on the book more. And every night for 3 nights in a row I'm like "Well, this feels like it's wrapping up, so I'll just polish it off tonight." Then midnight hits and STILL ITS NOT DONE. I mean, there's even that part in so many games where a character turns to you and goes "Hey, once you get on this boat you can't come back. Make sure you take care of everything beforehand." That is the signal in EVERY GAME that it's about to end. This is it, the last mission or 2. But no, the game just keeps chugging on.

Also towards the end you are virtually forced to do side quests. I don't like side quests. I used to. I don't anymore. I've done a trillion side quests in my life and I can say with certainty that 90% of them are forgettable fluff. But you hit a point around level 28 where your next spot is lv 30 and you have to do meaningless and boring side quests to catch up or it's brutally hard. I'm OK with sidequests existing, just don't make me do them.

Also....why the hell does Cleopatra have a british accent? Every single person in that game has a location-specific accent. Greek, italian, egyptian. Even if they're bad, they still make sense in a way. And Cleopatra sounds like she's eating chips on the lift. Makes no sense and took me out of it a bit.

Look, I'm complaining a lot here. But if you forgive the games last few hours it's a very good game. It's fun and if you're willing to do some side quests and sink 40 hours into it, it's worth it.

Bought this like 2 years ago and never played. Finally got around to it and wow, it's way more fun than I expected. I've been pretty lukewarm on past AC games, so I haven't played one since Brotherhood. I love ancient Egypt though, so I thought I'd give this a shot when it came down in price. But wow, it's super fun to play. You feel very powerful and the game just glides along very smoothly (so far). Having a good time.

The story is OK, I like Bayek and think his background with his son might be interesting. Though whoever wrote this game has never heard a human woman speak, apparently. Every woman is insufferable in AC Origins. It's weird.

But the physical act of playing it is great!

Finished in 39 hours

Too repetitive for my personal taste. There is almost no variability after just 5 hours in the game, all you getting is a little higher numbers in equipment and new territory to explore. The plot is mediocre there is absolutely no development in gameplay in any way and while the open-world itself is beautifully done, it is hardly enough to keep me motivated.

I guess all modern Ubisoft games are made this way. It's like bubblegum: if you are into it you may chew it every day, but in this case this looks like a habit not a hobby.

Killed Berenike aka crocodile and I really hope I am at least half way through the game, my God AC is repetitive.

I understand that this is what modern open world games are all about but damn there is absolutely no development in mechanical gameplay. It's all about getting all the marks on the map and having a little boost to your numbers of attack/defence/hp. At least the world itself is beautifully crafted and really enjoyable to explore (though there is no real reason to do so)