Recommended: Yes

Playtime: 162 hours

Achievement Completion: 100%

Game Length: 30-84 Hours

Reviewed on: PC

Pros:
1. Stunning Open World: Assassin's Creed Origins introduces a beautifully crafted rendition of ancient Egypt. The attention to detail is commendable, with sprawling deserts, bustling cities, and lush oases that breathe life into the world.
2. Engaging Combat System: The combat system has undergone a significant overhaul. It feels more dynamic and strategic, incorporating elements of timing and positioning. The introduction of hitboxes adds depth to encounters.
3. Rich Historical Setting: The game excels in immersing players in ancient Egyptian history. The meticulous recreation of landmarks, costumes, and cultural elements adds an educational dimension to the experience.
4. Deep RPG Elements: Origins introduces RPG-like mechanics, such as a leveling system, skill tree, and loot. This provides a sense of progression and customization, allowing players to tailor Bayek to their playstyle.
5. Compelling Storyline: The narrative is well-crafted, weaving together personal revenge with larger political intrigues. Bayek's character is both relatable and driven, making players emotionally invested in his journey.
6. Immersive Side Quests: Side quests are not mere fetch quests but often mini-stories in themselves. They provide context to the world and add depth to the characters, making them worth pursuing.
7. Fluid Parkour and Navigation: The parkour system has been refined, offering a smooth and intuitive experience. Scaling structures and traversing the environment feels natural and enjoyable.

Cons:
1. Occasional Technical Glitches: While generally polished, there were instances of minor graphical glitches and occasional AI hiccups. These, however, did not significantly detract from the overall experience.
2. Steep Learning Curve: The game's systems, especially the RPG elements, might be overwhelming for newcomers to the series. It takes time to fully grasp and utilize the depth of the mechanics.
3. Pacing in the Middle Act: The middle act of the story could feel a bit drawn out for some players. The pacing dips slightly, and certain missions may seem repetitive.

Overview:
Assassin's Creed Origins is a monumental step forward for the series. Its breathtaking rendition of ancient Egypt, combined with engaging gameplay and a compelling narrative, sets a new standard for open-world action-adventure games. The game's attention to historical accuracy and commitment to RPG mechanics are laudable.

Gameplay:
The gameplay in Assassin's Creed Origins is a true evolution of the series. The introduction of hitboxes and a more intricate combat system adds depth and challenge. Players are rewarded for strategic thinking and mastering the timing of attacks. The RPG elements provide a sense of progression, allowing for customization of Bayek's abilities and playstyle. The integration of stealth mechanics feels intuitive, providing players with multiple approaches to missions. The world itself encourages exploration, with hidden treasures and dynamic wildlife. Overall, the gameplay is a well-balanced blend of action, stealth, and RPG elements that keeps players engaged throughout.

Graphics and Sound:
The visual and auditory aspects of Assassin's Creed Origins are nothing short of exceptional. The attention to detail in recreating ancient Egypt is staggering. From the architecture of cities to the subtleties of daily life, every element feels meticulously researched and faithfully represented. The lighting effects, especially during dawn and dusk, enhance the beauty of the world. The sound design complements the visuals perfectly, with a sweeping score and immersive ambient sounds. The voice acting is top-notch, with Bayek's portrayal being particularly noteworthy. The overall presentation elevates the game to a cinematic experience.

Story and Narrative:
The storytelling in Assassin's Creed Origins is a standout feature. The narrative weaves personal tragedy with larger political struggles in a seamless manner. Bayek's journey is both emotionally charged and politically significant, making players deeply invested in his quest for revenge. The supporting cast is well-written, with each character having their own motivations and arcs. The historical setting is utilized effectively, providing context and depth to the plot. The game strikes a fine balance between the personal story of Bayek and the broader implications of his actions within the historical context.

Performance and Technical Issues:
While generally polished, there were occasional technical hiccups. Some players may encounter minor graphical glitches, and there were rare instances of AI behaving unexpectedly. However, these issues were infrequent and did not significantly impact the overall experience. Load times were generally reasonable, and the game ran smoothly on a mid-range gaming PC.

Multiplayer and Community:
Assassin's Creed Origins primarily focuses on the single-player experience, with no traditional multiplayer modes. However, the game incorporates a community aspect through the discovery tour mode, which allows players to explore the world in a more educational context. The lack of competitive multiplayer is not a detriment to the overall experience, as the single-player content is rich and engaging.

Final Thoughts:
Assassin's Creed Origins is a triumph in the open-world action-adventure genre. Its stunning recreation of ancient Egypt, engaging gameplay, and compelling narrative make it a standout title in the series. While minor technical hiccups are present, they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. For fans of the franchise and newcomers alike, Assassin's Creed Origins is a must-play. Its rich historical setting, deep RPG elements, and immersive gameplay combine to create an unforgettable gaming experience.

Recommended: Yes

Playtime: 119.3 Hours

Achievement Completion: 100%

Game Length: 36.5-65 Hours

Pros:
Engrossing Open World: Days Gone presents a post-apocalyptic Oregon that feels authentic and immersive. The attention to detail in the environments, from overgrown forests to dilapidated towns, is commendable.
Dynamic Weather and Day-Night Cycle: The dynamic weather system and day-night cycle significantly enhance the gameplay experience. They influence visibility, enemy behavior, and tactics, making every encounter feel dynamic and unpredictable.
Engaging Combat Mechanics: Combat in Days Gone is a standout feature. The variety of weapons, from makeshift clubs to firearms, provides satisfying options for dispatching enemies. The tension escalates when facing the formidable hordes, requiring careful planning and resource management.
Strategic Motorcycle Gameplay: The motorcycle isn't just a mode of transport; it's a crucial tool for survival. The need to maintain and fuel it adds a layer of strategy, making every journey a calculated risk. It's an excellent blend of functionality and gameplay elements.
Strong Voice Acting and Cinematics: The performances of the cast, particularly Sam Witwer as Deacon St. John, are stellar. They bring depth and emotional resonance to the characters, making players genuinely invest in their journey. The cinematics are well-directed, further immersing players in the story.

Cons:
Pacing Hiccups: The game's pacing can be a bit uneven. Moments of intense action can be followed by slower, more methodical segments. While this contrast can be effective in building tension, it might not resonate with all players.
Repetitive Mission Structure: Some missions suffer from a sense of repetitiveness, especially in the mid-game. Fetch quests and clearing out enemy camps can become monotonous, potentially impacting player engagement.
Minor Technical Glitches: While generally stable, Days Gone isn't entirely free from technical hiccups. Occasional frame rate drops and minor glitches, such as texture pop-ins, do occur. They're infrequent and don't severely disrupt gameplay but are noticeable.

Exploration and Progression:
The exploration in Days Gone is a true delight. The open-world encourages players to venture off the beaten path, rewarding them with hidden treasures, abandoned settlements, and encounters with other survivors. The progression system, though somewhat conventional, provides a satisfying sense of character growth. Upgrading skills and enhancing equipment feels meaningful and impactful on the overall gameplay experience.

Graphics and Sound:
Visually, Days Gone is impressive. The post-apocalyptic Oregon landscape is beautifully rendered, with a level of detail that's commendable. The weather effects, in particular, are striking and contribute to the immersive experience. Sound design is top-notch, with realistic environmental noises and a hauntingly beautiful score that enhances the desolate atmosphere. The voice acting is a strong point, providing depth and emotional resonance to the characters.

“Opinion Piece” Immersive Atmosphere:
Days Gone excels in creating an atmosphere that's palpable. The desolation and decay of the world are not just visual elements, but they seep into the gameplay, affecting tactics and decision-making. The crunch of leaves underfoot and the howling wind add layers of immersion that make the world feel lived-in and hostile. It's a testament to the game's design that you can almost feel the weight of survival.

Story and Narrative:
The narrative of Days Gone weaves a compelling tale of survival, loss, and redemption. The character development, particularly that of the protagonist Deacon St. John, is well-executed and emotionally resonant. The relationship dynamics explored throughout the story add depth to the overall experience. While some pacing issues and occasional predictability may arise, the storytelling complements the gameplay, creating a cohesive experience.

“Opinion Piece” Emotional Impact:
The emotional resonance of Days Gone is a testament to its storytelling. The struggles and sacrifices of Deacon and the supporting cast are felt keenly. Moments of loss and triumph are not just events in a game, but impactful moments that stay with you. It's rare for a game to balance intense action with genuine emotional weight, and Days Gone achieves this in a way that's both affecting and memorable.

Performance and Technical Issues:
Days Gone on PC performs admirably. The game maintains stable frame rates and relatively short load times. However, occasional technical hiccups like frame rate drops during intense moments and minor glitches, such as texture pop-ins, are noticeable. They're infrequent and don't severely impact the overall experience.

Multiplayer and Community:
Days Gone primarily focuses on the single-player experience, with no significant multiplayer component. While this may limit community interactions, it allows the game to fully concentrate on delivering a polished and immersive solo adventure. The absence of multiplayer features doesn't detract from the overall experience, as the single-player campaign provides more than enough content to keep players engaged.

Replayability and Additional Content:
Days Gone offers a decent level of replayability. Players who want to fully explore the world and complete all side quests will find plenty to do. Additionally, the New Game+ mode provides a fresh experience for returning players, allowing them to retain their progress while facing increased challenges. However, it would benefit from additional post-launch content or expansions to further extend its longevity.

Final Thoughts:
Days Gone delivers a gripping post-apocalyptic experience with a richly detailed open-world and intense combat. Despite some pacing hiccups and occasional technical glitches, the strengths far outweigh the drawbacks. For fans of open-world action-adventure games, Days Gone comes highly recommended. It's a journey worth embarking on, offering a compelling narrative set in a beautifully realized, hostile world.

Fun Facts:

Real-World Locations:
The game's setting, post-apocalyptic Oregon, is based on real-world locations in the Pacific Northwest. The development team conducted extensive research trips to capture the region's natural beauty and incorporate it into the game.

Realistic Sound Design:
The game's sound design is highly detailed. The development team recorded real Pacific Northwest wildlife sounds to create a more authentic and immersive audio experience.

Sam Witwer's Dedication:
Sam Witwer, who voices and provides motion capture for the protagonist Deacon St. John, was deeply committed to the role. He learned how to ride a motorcycle for the game and performed many of his stunts himself.

Influence from Other Games:
"Days Gone" drew inspiration from various other video games, including "The Last of Us," "Red Dead Redemption," and "Far Cry." This influence is evident in the game's storytelling, open-world design, and survival elements.

Unique Game Engine:
The game was developed using the Unreal Engine 4, which allowed for the creation of the game's stunning open world and the handling of large-scale zombie hordes.

Multiple Endings: "Days Gone" features multiple endings based on player choices throughout the game, adding replayability and allowing players to shape the outcome of Deacon's story.