Tag: Assassin’s Creed: Origins

Assassin’s Creed: Origins

Assassin’s Creed: Origins serves as a prime example of what happens when game developers refuse to skip out on even the smallest details.

Players take on the role of Ba Yek, a Medjay returning home to his village in ancient Egypt. Ba Yek is embarking on a trail that will reveal the mystery behind his young son’s murder one year ago. Along the way, he unravels a web of lies and deceit that extends to the highest-ranking members of the Roman Empire. Players also assume command of one of Ba Yek’s descendants roughly 3,000 years into the future, who – as in all Assassin’s Creed titles – looks back on her ancestor’s journey while attempting to avoid the dangers of the modern world.

The game’s delivery and knowledge of history is unparalleled. Players are given a clear understanding of Egypt’s history during a time when women – predominantly the pharaoh Cleopatra – largely governed and subjugated the business and goings-on of one of the period’s leading nations. Her relationship with Julius Caesar of Rome is also detailed in earnest fashion, despite a few romanticized elements thrown into the mix.

In terms of action, Origins provides even the most die-hard adrenaline junkies with new feelings and visuals. The game offers a wide array of weaponry and upgrades, garnered after bursts in one’s overall strength, that allow for swift improvements in a player’s overall attacks and defense. Then, there’s the gorgeous landscapes (from deserts to pyramids to leafy mirages) one will experience on the back of a trusty horse or camel in what is arguably one of the most beautiful-looking games of the last ten years.

Two specific portions deserve mention, the first being the naval battles. At certain points, you’ll assume the role of Aya, Ba Yek’s wife, who assists her husband in his investigative mission of vengeance. Aya commandeers the slave ships that engage in battle with the naval fleets of Pompeii, Cleopatra’s brother and Egypt’s competitor for the throne.

The second is a dream sequence involving a giant snake. I fear giving away too much here and will only say that both sections make for some of the most heart-pounding moments in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

This was my first venture into Creed territory, and though I enjoyed myself thoroughly, many of my gaming friends criticized my decision to mark this as my official entry. With a subtitle like “Origins” following its name, however, this seemed like the prime option. After all, “origins” implies this is where everything started. Shouldn’t every story or trip begin at the beginning?

I’ve since attempted other Assassin’s Creed games, including Syndicate and Unity, and while both were fun, neither compared to the overall stamina of Origins, which boasts stronger exploration tactics and much simplified controls. I’m just grateful I don’t have to press any extra buttons to run…

The boss fights in this game are exciting, and the voice acting of Abubakar Salim as Ba Yek and Alix Wilton Regan as Aya gives these characters their life. While playing, we’re not staring at a simulated couple; they feel like real people. Their plights become our plights; we share their concerns and worries, as well as their joys, and the power in these characters’ vocals deserve special credit.

My only issue with this game is its length. My first playthrough, including side missions, took nearly two weeks, though to be fair, I wanted to finish this game in full; nothing left behind. Some of the side missions either leave little to the imagination or serve no purpose. Overly long and sometimes boring, these side mission detract from the initial focus of the game, though many must be completed to build one’s XP points. Without them, players cannot reach the strength levels necessary to move ahead in the main story. Probably not the best way to handle an RPG; why not keep the story and side missions fully separate for players interested in campaign only?

Either way, Assassin’s Creed: Origins is a blast that’s sure to give even the most experienced players something new to think about. From its opening credits to the gut-wrenching and emotional ending, Origins stands as one of the most heartfelt and proficient titles of 2017.

Score: ****1/2 out of ***** (4.5 out of 5)

Image courtesy of Digital Trends

Doom (2016)

Doom is everything a game should be and more. It’s uncompromising without being excessively violent (at least not in a realistic sense) and offers some of the best graphics I’ve ever seen in a game.

The plot hasn’t changed much from the original 1993 venture. Players take on the guise of a space marine that must rid a galactic workstation from a demonic presence that has crossed over and now threatens to wreak havoc on Earth.

The game offers a lot of what made the original Doom so popular. Guns and weapons abound, including a couple of old friends like the BFG, and all those classic monsters from the imps and lost souls to the considerably tougher barons of hell that both scare and excite us at the same time.

What’s the main difference? With roughly 23 years between releases, the creatures are completely refined. Every detail from the wrinkles in their skin to the malice in their expressions is completely visible onscreen. The atmospheres are dark and visceral, and combined with one of the most intense video game soundtracks since 2013’s Killer Instinct, Doom is heart-pounding from the start.

In addition to the game’s look, Doom suffers from virtually no technical glitches or playing issues. Many modern PS4 or Xbox ventures contain such complicated code that it’s become nearly impossible to work them all out. Many times, players are fighting their way through a current section or level only to have the game freeze and spit out a blue error message (those who have played Assassin’s Creed: Origins know what I’m talking about), but not Doom…

To be fair, the game has more than two decades under its belt. It’s based on one of the oldest first-person shooters around, and the developers have had lots of time to work out all the kinks, but the fact that they’ve done so warrants respect. Rather than sit back and sell this game “as is,” they’ve taken the time to give players a full experience without letting them worry about losing progress. It’s an ambitious feat that shows the devotion and strength of the development team, and each member deserves special commendation.

I was very surprised at the ease of the controls. The company behind Doom didn’t try to do anything fancy or special. Pushing forward on the left joystick causes the marine to run. You’re not required to press any extra buttons to garner speed; it’s all kept relatively simple. The controls have a fluidity I’ve yet to experience in any other game this year, and the character moves as freely as running water.

Aiming and firing your weapons is also easy. No more moving about the screen rapidly trying to get that perfect shot. Each weapon has a wide range of fire (minus the chainsaw of course), and most enemies are large enough to hit from any angle.

The game’s ending also serves as a friendly reminder of why humans should never trust creatures from the “other side.” They’ll always exploit you and let you down. Never give your humanity, principles or dignity up for wealth or power; it will always come back to haunt you. A nice moral touch to an otherwise splatter and gore-filled title.

Strangely, the game has stirred controversy due to its violence, and while the game is rough at times, the violence never stretches beyond the initial ropes of fantasy. Your character is destroying monsters and ghouls, not humans. Critics should probably take that as their first sign to calm down. The game is also short, warranting roughly 10 to 14 hours the first time around – probably not enough time to turn a player into a psychopath.

Doom remains one of my favorite titles thus far. From the graphics and battles to the killer music and creatures, players are bound to have loads of fun with it.

Score: ***** out of***** (5 out of 5)

Image courtesy of Nutroniks.com