Can you play as a girl in Assassin‘s Creed Origins?
No, you cannot choose to play as a female protagonist or character in Assassin‘s Creed Origins. You play solely as the male Medjay, Bayek of Siwa, in the base game.
However, Bayek‘s wife Aya was originally conceived as the main character who later meets an early death. The story would then switch perspective to Bayek for vengeance. So a female lead role was the initial intent by developers before plans changed.
Female Representation in the Assassin’s Creed Series
While Aya‘s prominence was minimized, the Assassin‘s Creed series has featured several iconic female assassins over the years:
| Assassin | Game | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aveline de Grandpré | AC III: Liberation | 2012 | First female lead protagonist |
| Evie Frye | AC Syndicate | 2015 | Playable female twin assassin |
| Kassandra | AC Odyssey | 2018 | Choice between her or Alexios |
| Female Eivor Varinsdottir | AC Valhalla | 2020 | Choice between female or male Eivor |
AC content and narrative director Darby McDevitt commented on the fan demand for female protagonists: "Fans and team members have told me over the last two years how much they want playable female heroes."
Ubisoft developers have made strides in allowing players to choose between a male or female lead in their two most recent franchise titles, with Kassandra being considered AC‘s canon protagonist according to the novelization.
And despite giving players either gender option for Eivor in Valhalla, female Eivor has been designated the canonical choice while male Eivor is considered a "visual stand-in" for Odin when playing his memories.
The Impact and Reception of Choice
Allowing the hero option between a male or female character has had profound ripple effects on the Assassin‘s Creed series.
Many fans and critics praised the character depth of Kassandra in AC Odyssey. And there has been continued outcry from some players regarding Alexios being relegated to the "evil" Deimos role when not selected.
Post-launch analysis of achievement data showed over two-thirds of AC Odyssey players chose Kassandra, which supports her status as the intended canon character according to developers and the novelization.
Meanwhile, Valhalla received some backlash over connecting the male Eivor option to mythology and making the female version the historical truth and "Alpha" of the pair. Some called this an erasure of choice after Odyssey.
But reviews have continued to applaud having the playstyle freedom in being able to switch freely between male and female Eivor. Fan reception remains positive overall.
The Meaning Behind Eivor‘s Feminine Name
An interesting lore note is why the male Eivor option retains the feminine-associated name, which some mistakenly considered a developer oversight early on.
But as creative director Ashraf Ismail confirmed, “Eivor in Norse is feminine. And it has no masculine form. Hence to stay true to history&myth K, we only offer female or male options.”
Eivor is an Old Norse female name meaning "defender." So keeping that name irrespective of chosen gender matches the historical Viking inspirations.
Perspective from an AC Super Fan
As a longtime enthusiast with over 200+ hours across the AC series, I appreciate Ubisoft‘s growing commitment to diversity and representation in allowing players to forge their own Odyssey and Valhalla.
Recent entries have moved away from the same stoic male archetypes of old; leaning into the depth, agency, and gravitas female assassins can bring when standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts.
These heroines don‘t have to conform to played out caricatures or sidekick tropes. Instead they get to cement themselves as bold Viking raiders or Homeric warriors every bit the equal of their male alternatives.
That choice and variety creates deeper player investment and continued appetite to see where the iconic franchise goes next on giving fans direction over their destinies. Past, present, future; men and women have always shaped history. So embracing that inclusive spirit only strengthens Assassin‘s Creed.
Summary
In summary, while Assassin‘s Creed Origins focuses solely on male protagonist Bayek, the series has prominently featured female hero options both before and more prominently after Origins.
Player freedom & choice in the newer games contribute to increased depth for characters like Kassandra and Eivor. And fan demand continues to call for equal female representation. So post-Origins titles lean further into that – to mostly high reviewer and gamer praise.
Yet you cannot play as a woman in Assassin‘s Creed Origins specifically. Aya‘s intended role got reduced before launch. But Bayek‘s fateful link with female characters still forms much of the game‘s backbone. And that sharing of fates seems a more equitable partnership lately across the saga for all fans to choose and play.
