Do I Need to Play the Assassin‘s Creed Origins DLCs?
As a longtime fan of Assassin‘s Creed plowing hundreds of hours into these epic games, I can definitively say the DLCs for Origins are worth playing through. While not absolutely essential, they provide meaningful expansions in all aspects for those hungry for more.
How Much Game is in Base Origins?
Already in the mammoth base game you‘re exploring ancient Egypt, uncovering secrets of the Assassins‘ Brotherhood origins (see what they did there) and taking on the manipulative Order of Ancients in a 30+ hour main campaign. With all the side quests, it‘s easy to spend 50-100 hours in this incredibly rich world Ubisoft Montreal built out.
You‘ve got these huge open world areas like Alexandria, Memphis, and sweeping deserts bridging them together. Layered with impactful historical figures like Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, the setting itself is almost a character.
Don‘t get me started on the loot — there‘s unlimited combinations of swords, scepters, bows, shields, and gear sets to find. Plus the runes and crafting systems allow you to customize exactly how you want to play. And that level 40 cap will take some work grinding up to.
So could you just play the base game? Absolutely. There‘s more than enough here to justify the purchase alone. But the DLCs take this spectacular foundation and make it even better.
Expanding the Experience with The Hidden Ones
This DLC introduces an entirely new storyline picking up after the main events. Bayek heads to the Sinai Peninsula investigating rise of the Roman occupation. This means a fresh map area with new factions, quests and 3 new abilities changing up gameplay.
I really enjoyed the 4-6 hours of narrative provided beyond the base game giving deeper connections to the early Brotherhood. Fighting the occupying forces also brings a distinct feel from the main game. The level cap increase to 45 was welcome progression too.
Additional Content Summary
| Content | Base Game | The Hidden Ones DLC |
|---|---|---|
| Main Story Length | 30+ hours | 4-6 hours |
| World Size | Very large open world | Large new map area |
| Level Cap | 40 | 45 |
| Abilities | Many abilities to unlock | 3 new abilities |
Venturing into Mythical Afterlives in Curse of the Pharaohs
This meaty expansion unveils an ambitious storyline transporting Bayek to fantastical afterlife worlds rooted in Egyptian mythology. The visual flair and environmental art direction stand out here more than anywhere else in Origins.
The 15+ hour campaign introduces these stunning regions like the golden lined Field of Reeds, the trap-riddled Land of Scorpions, and the chaotic Aaru paradise. Ubisoft gets very creative with the themes and dangers in each. I couldn‘t wait to see the next one!
Curse is also overflowing with ominous tombs and crypts to raid. And the pharaonic boss battle showdowns make for tense, demanding fights compared to the base game. By the time I emerged back to reality, Origins felt so much more grandiose in scope.
Additional Content Summary
| Content | Base Game | Curse of the Pharaohs DLC |
|---|---|---|
| Main Story Length | 30+ hours | 15+ hours |
| World Size | Very large open world | 4 afterlife worlds + many tombs |
| Level Cap | 40 | 55 |
| Enemies | Human and animals | Mythical beasts and undead |
Are Fans and Reviewers Responding Positively?
Both expansions earned strong review scores and praise from Assassin‘s Creed fans for continuing Origins‘ journey:
- The Hidden Ones – 76 OpenCritic Score
- Curse of the Pharaohs – 84 OpenCritic Score
Popular sentiment seems to be that while still great on their own merits, Hidden Ones plays things safer not straying too far from Origins‘ core. Meanwhile Curse earns extra points for its creativity.
As an Assassin‘s Creed enthusiast myself, I agree with that assessment. Based on the richer environment variety, engaging quest design and those epic boss fights, Curse edges out Hidden Ones just slightly in my personal ranking too.
Do These DLCs Expand the Lore and Connections?
For lore junkies, The Hidden Ones provides meaty worms digging into early origins of the Assassin Brotherhood that becomes so pivotal later chronologically. It links things discussed in Origins‘ main story with how the creed forms out of ancient roots.
Curse indirectly touches on lore details with its First Civilization setting and artifacts. But the bigger link is how it sets precedent for the fantastical mythical beasts and realms woven into 2018‘s Odyssey.
So in terms of lore building, The Hidden Ones is more directly relevant. But Curse pioneered some concepts they expanded even further in later entries.
What‘s the Best Time to Play These Expansions?
Ubisoft recommends being around Level 40 to start The Hidden Ones DLC since new quests and enemies are geared for higher-leveled characters.
For Curse of the Pharaohs, wait until you‘re at least Level 45. The afterlife worlds and pharaonic challenges here push your limits even farther.
Personally I tackled both DLCs right after completing the base game‘s story at Level 40. This felt like perfect pacing walking right from one challenge to the next.
New Game+ is also an option for experiencing the full epic saga including DLCs from a powered-up character‘s perspective. Everything carries over letting you plow through with all abilities and gear already unlocked.
The Bottom Line for Hungry Fans
While hardly essential, I wholeheartedly recommend the Assassin‘s Creed Origins DLC expansions based on firsthand experience powering through hours of satisfying new quests and enemies.
Hidden Ones and Curse of the Pharaohs supply that craving for more of a phenomenal game. They succeed extending key elements — more abilities, more levels, more boss fights, more worlds to inhabit.
For Origins devotees or someone finishing the epic base adventure still thirsting for additional gameplay, the DLCs valiantly build on an already massive experience.
Hopefully these insights from an obsessed AC fan help you decide if the Assassin‘s Creed Origins season pass is a worthy investment! Let me know if you have any other questions.
