Assassin's Creed Odyssey stands out as an action RPG adventure set against the backdrop of ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. Released in 2018, this title lets you step into the boots of a mercenary navigating a vast open world filled with historical intrigue, mythical elements, and tough choices that shape the narrative. With its blend of exploration, combat, and role-playing mechanics, it appeals to those who enjoy deep storytelling mixed with dynamic action sequences.
Gameplay
In Assassin's Creed Odyssey, you control either Alexios or Kassandra, a descendant of the Spartan king Leonidas I, in a third-person perspective. The core loop revolves around exploring a massive open world representing ancient Greece, complete with diverse landscapes from bustling cities to rugged islands. Movement feels fluid with free running across structures, horseback riding, and sailing on your warship, the Adrestia, which supports naval battles where you launch arrows, javelins, or ram enemy vessels.
Combat splits into melee and ranged options, using weapons like spears, swords, daggers, heavy blunt tools, and bows. You can perform light attacks for speed or heavy ones for power, alongside dodging and parrying. Stealth plays a big role too, with silent assassinations using the spear of Leonidas, body hiding, and an eagle companion named Ikaros for scouting enemies and objectives from above. Skills unlock through experience points in three trees: Hunter for ranged abilities, Warrior for direct confrontations, and Assassin for covert tactics. Notable skills include the Spartan Kick to knock foes back and Rush Assassination for chaining kills.
Role-playing elements shine through dialogue choices that influence relationships, including romantic ones, and major decisions that alter the story's multiple endings. Resource gathering involves collecting materials like iron ore, wood, and leather for upgrading gear and the ship. Bounties activate if you commit crimes, drawing mercenaries who hunt you down, adding tension to exploration. Conquest battles let you weaken regions by targeting leaders and supplies, then join large-scale fights for either Athenians or Spartans to claim rewards.
Game Modes
The game primarily offers a single-player experience, but it includes variations to suit different playstyles. Choose between Guided mode, which provides clear waypoints to objectives, or Exploration mode, where you rely on NPC clues to find your way, encouraging deeper immersion in the world.
Conquest battles serve as a distinct mode for massive warfare, where you pick a side in the Peloponnesian conflict and engage in pitched fights after undermining enemy control. New Game Plus allows replaying the story with retained progress and increased challenges. For a non-combat approach, Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece lets you roam freely or follow guided tours to learn about historical sites, philosophy, and daily life in the era.
Story creator mode enables crafting and sharing custom quests, extending replayability through community content.
Factions and Mechanics
Several factions drive the conflict and mechanics. The Athenians and Spartans represent the warring sides in the Peloponnesian War, and you can align temporarily with either through conquests without permanent loyalty. The Cult of Kosmos acts as a shadowy group pulling strings across Greece, with members to hunt down as you uncover their ties to your family's past. The Order of the Ancients, precursors to later organizations, pursue your bloodline, adding layers to the overarching plot.
Mechanics like the bounty system introduce risk to aggressive actions, as high notoriety summons tough mercenaries. Upgrading armor and weapons involves engraving for custom effects, while the adrenaline bar powers special abilities during fights. Side activities range from gladiatorial arenas to time-limited contracts, keeping the world active.
Is It Worth Playing?
Even in 2026, Assassin's Creed Odyssey holds up for those drawn to expansive open-world RPGs with a historical twist. Player reception has been generally favorable, highlighted by its Metacritic score reflecting positive feedback on the refined combat, vast world design, and engaging family-driven story. It sold over 10 million copies by early 2020, indicating strong appeal.
Critics and players praised the role-playing depth, character development, and exploration, though some noted issues with repetition and the need for side quests to progress. Updates ceased around 2021, but the game received enhancements like 60fps support on compatible hardware and free content additions such as the Lost Tales of Greece missions and a crossover with later titles. If you prefer action-packed adventures with meaningful choices and a mix of myth and history, this one delivers lasting value, especially on PS4 where it runs smoothly. For fans of strategic combat and narrative branching, it's a solid pick that rewards thorough playthroughs.
