Summary
Assassin’s Creed Originswas a major shift for the series. The old formula was getting stale by Unity and Syndicate, and fans desperately wanted something fresh. So, Ubisoft opted for a more modern-style open world with RPG mechanics and Soulslike combat.
Gone were the dense, tight-knit cities, as we explored the dunes of Egypt with the Medjay Bayek, fighting in heavy-handed duels instead of effortlessly killing countless enemies in single blows.
It was a make or break moment for a series that had long needed a shakeup, and the face behind this enormous pressure was 23-year-oldAbubakar Salim. Playing Bayek, he was stepping into the enormous shoes of fan-favourite icons like Ezio Auditore, Evie Frye, and Edward Kenway. And with so much riding on not just the new formula, but the new assassin at its helm, Salim was afraid he might be killing the series for good.
“Imagine making this game, knowing you’re going AGAINST the formula,“Salim tweetedin response to YouTuber Mightykeef. “Then the film drops and it’s TERRIBLE… I legit thought I was going to be killing this franchise.”
Everyone Loves Bayek
In the end, Salim’s worries were quickly put to bed. Origins was a hit, selling over ten million copies and earning an aggregateOpenCriticscore of 85 with an impressive number of award nominations. Bayek meanwhile became a fan-favourite in his own right, topping lists alongside Ezio and Altair.
Even the new formula was well received. You might not think it now with how tired people are of it already, but Origins was the refresher Assassin’s Creed direly needed. Salim’s outstanding, heartfelt performance certainly helped, bringing us back to the emotional heights that had cemented the series as one of the medium’s most iconic.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
WHERE TO PLAY
Assassin’s Creed Origins takes the series back to the very beginning of the Brotherhood, putting you in the role of Bayek. The story is one of revenge, and features a large, open-world realisation of Ancient Egypt.
