Do I Need to Play Previous Assassin’s Creed before Odyssey?
The Assassin’s Creed series has 11 main games, spread across several centuries and worlds. With the release of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey in 2018, you may be wondering if playing previous games in the series is necessary to fully understand and enjoy the new experience. The answer is both simple and complex.
In short, you can play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey without playing previous games, but understanding the lore, characters, and world politics will be limited. Nevertheless, we’ll explore ways to ease into the AC universe, and highlight must-know information.
Can I Start Fresh with Odyssey?
Most players can jump into Odyssey without prior knowledge of Assassin’s Creed. The new game is designed to offer an engaging experience for all, with a unique single-player campaign and a detailed setting. You’ll spend your time exploring ancient Greece, battling enemies, and completing quests. The absence of previous knowledge won’t hinder your progress or limit your enjoyment.
Tips for New Players
Start with Odyssey’s story cutscenes and dialogue to set the stage for the games world. You’ll then learn about the Assassin brotherhood and the ongoing battles against the Templars, key players in the Assasins Creed universe.
Follow the main storyline while also completing side quests. This will help you understanding the characters, their backgrounds, and the world within Assassin’s Creed.
Look out for subtle references or mentions of previous games while exploring Odyssey’s world or speaking with characters. Your familiarity with the series’s history will help you keep up with these nods!
Benefits of Playing Earlier Assassin’s Creed Games
Playing earlier Assassin’s Creed games will enrich your gaming experience in several ways.
Enhanced understanding of AC’s lore and world deepens your connection: With knowledge of the universe, you’ll appreciate hidden connections and subtle references added throughout Odyssey.
Improved relationship building: Characters that mattered in previous games influence the new story: Connecting the dots between characters may enrich your experience and alter the way you perceive NPC relationships.
Better grasp on world politics and character motivations: Familiarization with previous games’ major plot points and character intentions helps you understand the delicate balance of power in Odyssey. This insight may also deepen your understanding of the factions, such as the Brotherhood and the Templars.
| Assassin’s Creed Game | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Release Year | Approximate Time to Complete the Main Story |
| The Assassin’s Creed Origins | 2018 | 20-35 hours |
| Freedom Cry | 2013 | 6 hours |
| Black Flag | 2012 | 20-40 hours |
| Origins: Discovery Tour mode | 2015 | 2-15 hours (depending on frequency and duration of playtesting) |
How I Would Recommend Playing the Assassins Creed Series
If You Have No Prior Experience start with Assassin’s Creed Origins, as it won’t spoil the story flow in Odyssey. Origins’s main story takes around 20-35 hours, a relatively short and modern setting introduction to the game world.
For those Interested in Playing Previous Games and their Stories
- Start with Assassin’s Creed (2009): Begin with the pioneer game, setting the core premise and characters for further stories.
- then Move to Assassin’s Creed II and its subsequent games, introducing Ezio, Altaïr, and other Assassin-Templar conflicts until reaching Assassin’s Creed: Unity.
- After Unity jump into Assassin’s Creed: Rogue.
In summary, playing early Assassin’s Creed games has significant benefits, but You can still enjoy Odyssey alone without prior knowledge. Key connections, character motivations, and world politics will be the best enjoyed by those previously invested in the series.
Keep in mind that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey offers a starting tutorial that covers the lore, setting, and overall mechanics, so you still won’t be lost entirely even if you start it as your first game!
Lastly, don’t limit yourself to playing only two Assassin’s Creed games due to your new interest- exploring more of the diverse experiences, settings, stories, and characters will not disappoint!
Happy gaming, and I hope this article brings more depth to your upcoming adventures in the Assassin’s Creed universe!