Originally made as a spiritual successor to the Prince of Persia franchise, Assassin's Creed quickly became one of the most recognizable brands in gaming of the last decade. Since the release of the first game in 2007 ( currently with twelve titles under its belt, and another twelve spin-off titles) there is no shortage of content for fans to enjoy.

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However, with fourteen years of games, the series was in dire need of a reset to revive the unique and iconic gameplay first seen in the original. And with the release of Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017, fans saw a complete revitalization of the beloved series.

10 It Introduced A New Combat System

AC Origins Bayek battling a boss

The most noticeable change in the AC format was the redesign of the combat system. Where the original games focused on a simple dodge-counter mechanic, players now had access to blocks, dodges, rolls, new ranged weapon types, light and heavy attacks, and even a parry.

Pulling away from the paired animation system that broke combat down into a set of pre-programmed animations, players now had more freedom making combat more lively and skill-based. Aspects of the environment also became weapons and enemy archetypes required the player to change their weapons to best suit the situation.

9 It Explored A Brand New Story Unlike Anything It Had Done Before

AC origins concept art

The main storyline for the Assassin's Creed series focused on the invisible war between the Assassins and the Templars, starting first with Desmond Miles and the Abstergo corporation. However, Origins, keeping to its name, takes us back to the very beginning of that conflict and shows the foundation of both orders, as well as the introduction of the Apple and Staff of Eden, two ancient alien artifacts.

Through the Animus we are introduced to our new protagonist, Layla Hassan, who leads this new story investigating ancient wonders for clues of an apocalyptic event, creating a new focus for the series' story.

8 It Features Brand New Mechanics

AC origins skill tree

In redefining the series, Ubisoft added a variety of brand new mechanics to mesh with the new setting they had developed. Players could better observe this new game world through the eyes of Senu, a feathered companion, that allowed players to view the world from a bird's eye view to scout ahead and even mark enemies to keep a track of them.

A wealth of new RPG-esq mechanics flooded the game with different weapons and armor types each with various stats to consider, chariot racing, an optional arena tournament, and stone circle puzzles to solve, all of which can be found on your own time within the game world.

7 It Revamped The Questing System

AC origins Bayek and Cleopatra

Side missions litter an expansive map that the player can complete outside of the main story. NPC's throughout the game offers missions of rescuing prisoners, hunting treasure, and defeating bandits in exchange for money, XP, and even items.

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With a variety of quests on offer per region of the map, Origins created a world with more depth and variety than previous entries in the series and provided more content for players who wished to take a break from the main story for a more relaxed and laidback experience.

6 It Debuts An Entirely New Location

Assassin's Creed Origins' stunning geography

Mainline Assassin's Creed games have primarily taken place in either the Middle East, Europe, or the Americas, often switching between those three areas throughout the series. Origins is the first of the mainline games to take place on the African continent, spreading the Assassins-Templar war across the world, showing how it manifests in different cultures.

The step into a history so unlike the previous entries in the series shows a desire to expand the franchise even more than before with mainline titles exploring other new locations and cultures throughout the world.

5  The Game Introduced Bigger Maps

The world map of AC origins

A map covering the entirety of Egypt in the year 48BC, players were gifted a map larger than any other AC title. They were free to explore whether it be by horse, camel, and boats with maritime travel continued from previous title Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, but more user friendly.

A wide variety of biomes to explore from scorching deserts to cities of the ancient world all teeming with treasure and adventure to seek. They could also raid bandit camps, lost tombs, and pyramids, and be rewarded with rare and illustrious loot.

4 The Game Gives Players The Ability To Play It Their Way

AC origins Bayek on horseback drawing a bow

You can play the game however you want. Thanks to Origins' expansive skill tree you can build a character to approach situations how you want to. No longer are you restricted to sneaking everywhere in a repetitive cycle. If you want to go in bows blazing and infiltrate a fort in one large scuffle you can.

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The advancement of mechanics allows you to immerse yourself into the position of the character and plan out how you will accomplish your goals in whatever way you wish.

3 The Game Introduces New And Exciting Protagonist(s)

Bayek headshot AC origins

Former Abstergo researcher Layla Hassan takes the stage as our primary protagonist for the overarching story in the modern timeline. However, as with every AC game, through the use of the Animus, she is able to inhabit the body of a figure from the past. In the year 48BC, we follow former Medjay, Bayek of Siwa, who hunts the masked men responsible for the murder of his son, Khemu.

As a Medjay, Bayek is a trained warrior and ranger more than worthy of taking up the mantle of the Assassins. Together he and his wife, Aya, embark on a journey that changes the very fate of Egypt.

2 There Is A New Focus On History & Education

Concept art of a street in AC origins

Despite being a series rooted in history, Origins was the first to use its platform to teach lesser-known aspects of the Egyptian world. From white pyramids with golden tips to the structures of cities, Origins' world is well researched and carefully constructed. The game features the Library of Alexandria which provides guided tours and the players can learn various passages of history from the real world at their leisure.

Ubisoft set out not only to make a good open-world game but also wanted to show an appreciation for a fascinating point in history.

1 The Game Ignited A New Direction For The Series

Bayek with his eagle Senu in Assassin's Creed Origins.

Breathing new life into a long-running series of any form requires a step away from the original design. The move from the more traditional and linear style stealth gameplay from previous Assassin's Creed games to a much wider and varied open-world RPG was game-changing.

The release of Origins was a much-needed shift in how the game was played and how the series would develop in the future. Redefining and constantly innovating will allow the series to stay alive and create more content for players.

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