Is Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey Set Before or After Origins?

As a long-time Assassin‘s Creed gamer and content creator, I can definitively state that Odyssey precedes Origins by over 400 years. Odyssey transports players back to ancient Greece during 431-422 BC and sets the stage for early precursors to the Assassin Brotherhood. Origins jumps ahead to ancient Egypt in 49-44 BC as the driving force behind the actual founding of the Assassins.

Odyssey Captures the Essence of Ancient Greece

As either Alexios or Kassandra, you take on the role of a mercenary shaped by the shifting tides of the Peloponnesian War. This conflict acts as the backdrop for more personal journeys tied to mysterious First Civilization artifacts and calculating members of the proto-Templar Cult of Kosmos seeking to influence the outcome.

I particularly enjoyed the depth provided on legendary Greek figures like Pericles and Herodotus as their guidance connects your mercurial hero to the brewing ideological strife. The lore treats historical events like the Plague of Athens as manipulation by Isu technology rather than happenstance. Leaning into fantastical explanations grounds the experience as an Assassin‘s Creed title while respecting the integral realism of Ubisoft‘s recreation of ancient Hellas.

From hulking mercenaries to tricky bandits on the road, the combat captures the grand sense of clashing forces. Your character‘s fighting prowess grows from scrappy to god-like while cultist conspiracies, mythical beasts, and warring states sweep you into an engaging adventure across the Aegean Sea‘s cluster of islands and vibrant cities. Photos can‘t do justice to just how stunning and ambitious the landscape is.

Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey (PC)

Metacritic Score: 84
Estimated Sales: over 10 million copies

This table shows how highly the game reviewed:

Origins Depicts the Birth of the Creed

As Bayek, protector of the people in Ptolemaic Egypt, the story opens on personal tragedy as a sinister conspiracy by Order of the Ancients cultists leaves our Medjay sheriff fueled by loss and rage. While the motives begin focused on revenge, Bayek evolves into an ideological leader as similar atrocities reveal the need for an organized group focused on ensuring people‘s rights.

As you assassinate agents of the shadowy Order across Egypt, Bayek debates moral lines in the sand with his partner Aya when their targets include former friends or those acting out of understandable sympathy with the oppressed. These philosophical exchanges underscore the nuance that grounds Origins within complicated civilizations built on slavery and exploitation of lower classes. how emerging creeds sought

I admire how Origins anchors the birth of the Assassin Brotherhood not merely in vengeance but ethical progression. By game‘s end, Bayek and Aya have taken the trauma of their personal tragedy to found a coherent set of values and operating rules that define the Creed‘s righteous aims for centuries. Juxtaposing their journey with ancient figures like Cleopatra and Julius Caesar lends credence to the secretive group‘s outsized historical influence going forward.

Assassin‘s Creed Origins (PC)  

Metacritic Score: 84
Estimated Sales: over 10 million copies 

Reviewers widely praised its ambitious scope:

Both Entries Stand on Their Own

Now having sold over 10 million units each, Odyssey and Origins clearly resonate with gamers drawn to their lush historical settings and refined RPG mechanics. You need not swear fealty to the entire Assassin‘s Creed storyline to enjoy what these entries offer. A basic understanding gives helpful context but the experience rests more on immersing within well-realized eras where figures small and mighty grappled with societal change against iconic backdrops recreated with evident care and depth.

Strong writing carries players through personal journeys where understanding shifts with new revelations. The gameplay freedom to pick dialog paths or tackle objectives shows respect for user choice compared to more linear chapters. Blending action cinematics with stealth, sailing, mounts, crafting and more makes even side activities engaging in their diversity. As with any AAA title, some may quibble over quality vs quantity of content but the worlds live up to their grandeur.

For dedicated fans, seeing pre/post perspectives on Assassin lore stands out as a key reward. But lush vistas, evolving gear/abilities and memorable characters should gratify gamers generally seeking an escape into the past realized with precision and passion.

Over to you! Do you have a preference between Odyssey‘s ancient Greek epic or Origins‘ Egyptian saga? When it comes to favorite Assassin‘s Creed entries, which make your short list? I welcome spirited debates in the comments from fellow history buffs and players. Just try to keep it friendly!