As Ubisoft gears up to launch the newest addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise discography in Shadows, it’s only proper to revisit some of the most prominent titles in the series before the new game steals all the headlines. While the ultimate crown of best Assassin’s Creed edition is still debatable, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of the better releases Ubisoft has released in recent years, featuring a rich narrative and intuitive gameplay.
For starters, despite being over six years old, none of Ubisoft’s subsequent big-name additions to the franchise have come close to surpassing Odyssey‘s Steam rating. One of the main reasons for that elite status is the full post-launch support Assassin’s Creed Odyssey had; the game itself has changed considerably since its 2018 launch, meaning players picking it up again in 2025 after a long hiatus might be surprised by the new look of things.
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Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 8 Ways To Shake Up A Second Playthrough
Players who are looking to start a second round of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey may want to spice their playthrough up in the following ways.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s Rendition Of Greece is One for the Ages
In the build-up to Odyssey‘s launch, there was much talk surrounding Ubisoft’s shift to an RPG approach in its AC games. Assassin’s Creed Origins kickstarted the trend in 2017, and Odyssey confirmed the developer’s storytelling transition the following year. While the pivot away from the traditional franchise experience of stealth birthed some dissatisfaction, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey built a reputation as one of the best open-world games at the time.
The main reason behind that sentiment was Odyssey‘s visual depiction of Ancient Greece. Ubisoft’s hours of research into the civilization created a collection of stunning vistas and landscapes dotted with layers of historical depth for players to explore. That natural beauty hasn’t changed all these years later, and to further the sense of immersion, players can choose between the Guided and Exploration modes.
While waypoints for objectives in the Guided mode are an obvious fan-favorite, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey shines brightest in Exploration, which allows players to discover locations based on hints in the surrounding area. Since it takes about 140 hours to get to 100% completion, chances are players with the Guided mode turned off didn’t achieve the coveted badge, and that’s as good a reason to get back on Odyssey as any.
Post-Launch Support And Multiple Endings Guarantee A Variety Of Experiences
Beyond the visual appeal and depth of lore hidden behind unguided traversal, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey‘s post-game expansions provide another trove of material to explore. These DLCs were released in the form of episodes, and it took months for the additional content to buff up the base game’s offerings. Now that the full package of material is complete, the entirety of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey‘s narrative is available for exploration, from Legacy of the First Blade to The Fate of Atlantis.
Ubisoft also included a New Game+ mode a few months after launch, allowing players to restart the game while keeping all their gear from previous playthroughs. This is particularly helpful as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey prides itself on being a full-fledged RPG with branching dialogue choices and multiple endings. Players’ decisions impact the fate of several characters—particularly the protagonist’s family— and the outcome of several situations, making a timely second playthrough a great way to explore all the storytelling possibilities.
With a choice of two protagonists, players who experienced the game as Alexios can start over as Kassandra and vice versa. While the story of AC Odyssey largely remains the same despite the protagonist chosen, their performances and interactions with love interests and other NPCs bring a different feel to the game. There are also a host of playstyle options that encourage players to switch up their approach on a replay, as the game features a massive skill tree that allows for a variety of builds, from stealth-focus assassins to all-out Warrior-style combat.
Additionally, in terms of the technicals of gameplay, console players who experienced Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for the first time at 30 FPS on last-gen consoles will stand to benefit more by returning to Ancient Greece in 2025. Ubisoft added a 60 FPS update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, making gameplay smoother and more responsive than ever. Although there were no significant changes to visual fidelity, faster load times and high frame rates make the next-gen replay feel like a new experience.
- Released
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October 15, 2018
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language