Assassin's Creed Odyssey

The majority of critics praised Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s story for its depth, player agency, and immersive world-building. Many highlighted its branching narratives and impactful choices, with IGN Spain noting "well-written story with well-developed characters" and flashbacks that enriched the protagonist’s past. TheXboxHub emphasized the game’s "branching narrative with choices and consequences," while Gamer.nl and Digital Trends commended the flexibility of player decisions affecting both story and gameplay. Critics like GameStar appreciated its emotional depth, calling it a departure from the series’ typical revenge-driven plots, and RPGamer praised the "emotionally engaging" characters despite minor flaws in the main storyline. The game’s focus on historical settings, mythological elements, and personal quests—such as Kassandra’s family mystery—was frequently lauded for its creativity and scale. However, several critics pointed out notable shortcomings. GameOver.gr criticized the main mission for being "lacking and repetitive," while Everyeye.it found the narrative “weak” and struggled with player engagement. Giant Bomb described the story as "long-winded and bloated" with a rushed conclusion, and Vandal noted it "falls short in terms of depth and connection to the overall series." Atomix highlighted inconsistent pacing and dialogue choices that "have little impact," while Windows Central criticized the narrative’s "inconsistent execution" leading to contradictions. Some reviewers, like Gameblog.fr, felt the story relied on "typical Assassin’s Creed formula," and Post Arcade mentioned it "lacks proper development and moral ambiguity." These critiques often centered on pacing issues, underdeveloped subplots, or a disconnect from the series’ broader lore. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with most acknowledging the story as a significant improvement for the franchise. While some noted flaws in structure or depth, many praised its ambition and player-driven storytelling. Critics like Gaming Nexus and RPG Site highlighted the engaging main story and additional arcs, while AusGamers and PC Invasion celebrated the narrative’s evolution compared to previous entries. The game’s emphasis on choice, historical immersion, and character development resonated strongly, even if not universally flawless. As a result, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was widely regarded as a standout entry in the series, balancing innovation with the core elements that define its legacy.

The gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey receives widespread acclaim for its expansive open-world design, diverse playstyles, and RPG-inspired customization. Critics like IGN and GameSpot highlight the seamless leveling system, dynamic skill trees (melee, stealth, ranged), and the freedom to tailor character progression. The game’s naval combat and ship customization are frequently praised, with IGN noting their engaging depth, while Eurogamer Italy applauds the improved combat mechanics and narrative-driven choices. CGMagazine and Meristation emphasize the flexibility in missions, allowing players to approach objectives through stealth, brute force, or strategy, and the inclusion of dialogue systems that influence story outcomes. The sheer scale of the world, with its islands, quests, and regional conflicts, is seen as a standout feature by Shacknews and GameCritics, who appreciate the variety of activities from raiding camps to managing mercenary hierarchies. However, several critics point to repetitive elements and mechanical shortcomings. Shacknews and Riot Pixels criticize the combat for feeling formulaic and the quests as dull, while COGconnected notes that the overwhelming number of tasks can lead to decision fatigue. Forbes and GameStar mention clunky combat on consoles and a lack of stealth depth, with Digitally Downloaded pointing out that stealth sections are too easy and underdeveloped. The AI behavior of bounty hunters is deemed comically obvious by COGconnected, and Washington Post observes that missions often rely on similar patterns of sneaking or clearing encampments. Additionally, Stevivor and GameCritics note that while the game introduces systems like the Nemesis-inspired mercenary hierarchy, they can become tedious over time, and some mechanics feel like rehashes of previous entries. Overall, the consensus leans positive but acknowledges mixed experiences. The game is celebrated for its RPG evolution, with Meristation and GameInformers highlighting its role-playing depth and improved combat systems, while IGN and GameSpot praise its open-world scale and customization. However, critics like Shacknews, Forbes, and Digitally Downloaded express frustration with repetition, clunky mechanics, and underdeveloped stealth elements. Despite these issues, the majority agree that Odyssey successfully expands the series’ formula, offering a richly detailed world and flexible gameplay that appeals to fans of action-adventure and RPGs, even if it occasionally falters in execution.

The majority of reviewers celebrated Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s graphics and visual design as a standout achievement, praising its immersive and aesthetically rich depiction of ancient Greece. Critics like IGN highlighted the “magnificent” open world with its “grand scale and impressive open-world map,” while CGMagazine called it “the most beautiful looking Assassin’s Creed game,” noting the lovingly rendered lush regions and dynamic locations. The attention to historical detail was frequently lauded, with Ragequit.gr praising the historically accurate buildings, temples, and weaponry, and Meristation emphasizing the “stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and ancient ruins.” Many reviewers, including GameSpace and The Escapist, highlighted the game’s ability to evoke a sense of magic through its vibrant cities, towering statues, and varied topography. The visual fidelity was also noted for its scale, with Game Informer describing the “towering statues and gorgeous landscapes” as a vivid backdrop for the narrative, while ZTGD praised the “jaw-dropping architecture” enhanced by 4K support and HDR. Despite these accolades, several critics pointed to technical and design flaws that detracted from the experience. Eurogamer Italy criticized the game’s “stuttering, frame rate drops, and texture pop-ups,” while Vandal noted “artificial and comical” NPC animations. Game Debate observed “asset reuse from AC Origins,” suggesting a lack of originality in some environments, and Impulsegamer and Worth Playing mentioned texture pop-in and moments where the visuals felt dated. Hardcore Gamer highlighted odd running animations, and Metro GameCentral pointed to “random physics problems” and “broken AI.” Additionally, 3DJuegos noted that character models and animations, particularly for NPCs, were less polished despite the game’s strong environmental design. These issues, while varied, collectively underscored some technical shortcomings that impacted the overall polish of the visuals. Overall, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority agreeing that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey delivered a visually stunning and immersive experience. While technical flaws and minor design issues were acknowledged, they were often framed as acceptable trade-offs for the game’s ambitious scale and aesthetic achievements. CGMagazine and IGN both emphasized its status as a high point in the series, while Game Debate and Ragequit.gr acknowledged its historical authenticity and grandeur. Even critics who pointed out flaws, like Eurogamer Italy and Vandal, recognized the game’s visual strengths, suggesting that the positives far outweighed the negatives. The combination of detailed environments, dynamic landscapes, and a richly realized ancient Greece cemented Odyssey as a visually impressive entry in the franchise, despite its technical imperfections.

The majority of critics praised the sound design and music of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for their immersive quality and thematic depth. Many highlighted the soundtrack’s ability to evoke ancient Greece, with CGMagazine noting the “excellent sound design” and “great score that adds a lot to the sense of being in Ancient Greece,” while Areajugones emphasized its “epic nature.” The incorporation of Greek rhythms, instruments, and language elements—such as characters speaking snippets of Greek—was frequently lauded for enhancing authenticity. Gaming Nexus and RPG Fan praised the variety of activities, including naval battles, which were complemented by engaging soundscapes. Additionally, the music’s ability to balance epic moments with tension, as noted by DarkStation, and its fusion of classic Assassin’s Creed themes with new Greek-inspired tracks, as mentioned by Multiplayer.it, underscored its success in creating an immersive atmosphere. Critics like Vgames and We Got This Covered also highlighted the “impressive” musical composition and “rapturous music,” reinforcing the soundtrack’s role in elevating the game’s world-building. However, several critics pointed out notable flaws, particularly regarding voice acting and specific audio elements. Areajugones criticized the Spanish voice acting as “strident and shrill,” while GameOver.gr condemned the “amateurish acting” and overuse of the Greek term “malakas,” which they felt detracted from immersion. Gamer.no noted that voice acting was “not great” but improved later, and RPG Fan found much of the music “forgettable” except for key themes. Additionally, Ragequit.gr criticized the decision to have characters speak English with Greek accents, calling it “unauthentic.” Vandal also remarked that while the sound design was “decent,” it lacked memorability, and some reviewers, like Gameblog.fr, noted that the French dubbing, though well-done, was a minor point of contention. These critiques suggest that while the audio elements were largely effective, certain aspects—particularly voice acting quality and cultural authenticity—fell short for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics leaned heavily toward appreciation for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s sound design and music, with most acknowledging their contribution to the game’s immersive experience. While there were valid criticisms about voice acting inconsistencies and specific audio choices, these were often overshadowed by praise for the soundtrack’s authenticity and emotional impact. CGMagazine and Gaming Nexus emphasized the “authentic world-building” and “sublime musical composition,” while even critics with reservations, like RPG Fan and Vandal, acknowledged strengths in key areas. The mix of positive and negative feedback reflects a game that, despite some flaws, succeeded in delivering an audio experience that resonated with many players, aligning with the series’ established standards while pushing creative boundaries.

The voice acting in Assassin's Creed Odyssey receives widespread praise, particularly for its protagonist, Kassandra, whose performance is consistently highlighted as a standout element. Critics like IGN and Digital Chumps laud Melissanthi Mahut’s portrayal of Kassandra as charismatic, nuanced, and emotionally resonant, with her "playful lilt" adding depth to the character (Slant Magazine). Game Informer and RPGamer note that Kassandra’s voice actor delivers a "likeable confidence," while GamesRadar+ praises the "richness and warmth" in dialogue, emphasizing how it enhances immersion. Additionally, the Italian voice acting is celebrated by Eurogamer Italy and Multiplayer.it, with the latter noting its "excellent" execution. The game’s main cast, including secondary characters like Alexios, also receives commendations for their engaging performances, though Kassandra remains the focal point of acclaim. Despite these positives, several critics highlight notable flaws in the voice acting, particularly regarding secondary characters and certain accents. Areajugones criticizes the "strident and shrill" Spanish voice acting, while GameOver.gr condemns it as "amateurish," detracting from the experience. Metro Montreal points to "false and occasionally vulgar" dialogues, and ZTGD describes Alexios’s voice acting as "awful," contrasting sharply with Kassandra’s performance. PC Invasion also notes that Alexios's voice feels "off-putting," while Impulsegamer mentions that side NPCs often lack emotional depth. Additionally, Ragequit.gr criticizes the Greek-accented English as inauthentic and tiring, and Atomix observes that some secondary characters "lack emotion or expression." These critiques suggest uneven quality across the cast, with certain voices failing to meet expectations. Overall, the consensus leans toward a generally positive assessment of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s voice acting, with Kassandra’s performance serving as a critical highlight. While many critics, including GameCrate and Hobby Consolas, praise the "solid" and "polished" delivery across the cast, others like ZTGD and PC Invasion emphasize significant disparities between characters. The game’s voice acting is seen as a key strength for its protagonist but a weaker link in supporting roles, with some accents and performances falling short of the high standards set by Kassandra’s portrayal. Despite these inconsistencies, the majority of reviewers agree that the voice work contributes meaningfully to the game’s storytelling and immersion, even if it occasionally falters in execution.

The technical performance of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey varies across platforms, with some positives noted by critics. On PS4, reviewers like 3DJuegos highlighted improved optimization compared to its predecessor, Origins, while GameCrate praised stable performance and smoother gameplay. Metro GameCentral acknowledged fewer bugs than previous entries in the series, and CGMagazine noted it was "the least glitchy" AC game at launch. For Xbox One, TrueAchievements commended the Xbox One X’s smooth performance with HDR enabled, while Windows Central described the game as "largely bug-free." On PC, PC Gamer and PC Invasion praised stable frame rates (60–75 FPS) and ease of alt-tabbing, though some critics like PLAY! Zine criticized poor optimization. Overall, the game showed incremental improvements in stability and performance compared to earlier AC titles. However, technical issues plagued all platforms. On PS4, long load times were a recurring complaint (COGconnected, Digital Trends), alongside glitches like crashes and unplayable sidequests (DarkStation) and frame rate drops in crowded areas (Eurogamer Italy). Xbox One critics noted similar problems: TrueAchievements mentioned "occasional dips in frame rate" on standard consoles, while FANDOM criticized AI and NPC interactions. On PC, optimization issues persisted—PLAY! Zine called the PC version "poorly optimized," and Ragequit.gr highlighted performance hiccups in Athens. Even with these flaws, many critics like IGN and GamesRadar+ acknowledged minor bugs were not frequent enough to detract from the experience, though others like Worth Playing described severe glitches that "deleted the quest journal" and trapped players. The overall consensus among critics was that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey had technical shortcomings but remained largely playable. While PS4 and Xbox One faced similar issues—long load times, frame rate drops, and occasional freezes—Xbox One X and PC versions offered smoother experiences with better hardware. Critics like 3DJuegos and PC Invasion emphasized the game’s stability on higher-end systems, while others, such as Eurogamer Italy and DualShockers, acknowledged that bugs were "expected in an open-world title." Despite these challenges, most reviewers agreed that the technical issues did not overshadow the game’s strengths, with many praising its ambitious scale and improvements over previous entries. The mixed reception reflects the trade-offs between a vast open world and the limitations of hardware at launch.

The positives surrounding Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s replay value are largely centered on its expansive content and player agency. Critics like Gaming Nexus and MondoXbox highlight the game’s vast open world, numerous side activities, and parallel storylines that keep players engaged long after the main narrative concludes. The RPG elements, such as branching dialogue options (GamePro Germany) and multiple endings (DarkStation, Multiplayer.it), add depth, while systems like skill trees (Gamers’ Temple) and customizable combat styles encourage experimentation. Additionally, the game’s planned DLC and post-launch support (ZTGD, Stevivor) suggest long-term engagement, with IGN noting a “staggering amount of content” even after finishing the main story. The inclusion of naval battles, mercenary hunts, and daily challenges (Areajugones, Game Rant) further diversifies the experience, making it appealing to players seeking longevity. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks that temper the game’s replayability. PlaySense and M3 criticize repetitive mission structures and a lack of innovation, while Game Debate and RPG Site argue that the game feels like a “colossal time sink” with minimal incentive for a second playthrough. Issues like level scaling inconsistencies (Ragequit.gr, InsideGamer.nl) and progression gating (Impulsegamer, God is a Geek) frustrate some players, and the repetitive nature of side quests (GameCritics, RPGamer) can become tiresome. While Xbox Achievements praises the “colossal open world” and naval warfare, others like GamingTrend note that the game’s “linear storyline” and filler content risk alienating those seeking fresh experiences. The balance between depth and repetition remains a contentious point among reviewers. Overall, the consensus leans toward a mixed but largely positive assessment of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s replay value. While many critics acknowledge its overwhelming scale—IGN calls it “staggering,” and ZTGD notes it could take months to complete—the repetitive mechanics and formulaic design (PlaySense, RPG Site) occasionally undermine the experience. However, the game’s branching narratives (GamePro Germany, TrueGaming), multiple endings (DarkStation, TrueAchievements), and post-launch content (Stevivor, Xbox Achievements) create a compelling case for returning. Despite flaws, Gaming Nexus and RPGamer agree that the game’s depth and variety make it a worthwhile investment for fans of the series, even if its “filler” elements may not appeal to all. The critical reception ultimately reflects a balance between admiration for its ambition and frustration with its execution.