Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has had a long run, much longer than any other game in the franchise, thanks to its continued support and post-launch DLC. Many may now be looking toward Assassin’s Creed 2020 and its likely Viking setting, but there’s no reason to not go back or reflect upon the beauty of Odyssey’s greek world. In fact, there’s a ton of details that may have just slid by the average player.
Reflecting back on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey makes us remember Phoebe, how some small choice affected a bigger role, the end of the game, and all of the weird moments that make the game stand apart from others in the AC franchise. Because of this, here are 5 weird facts about AC: Odyssey. SPOILER WARNING: Due to the nature of some of these weird facts, this article will contain SPOILERS, so those who haven’t picked it up and want to save the story for itself should turn back now.
1. It is the Only Core Game Without a Hidden Blade
The Hidden Blade is an iconic weapon of the Assassin and one factor that has remained unchanged prior to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Altair, Ezio, Connor, Edward, and every Assassin that followed would use this weapon, with Bayek from Origins fashioning the spear of his ancestor into a Hidden Blade. Yet, that same weapon fell into the hands of either Alexios or Kassandra in Odyssey, but as the Spear of Leonidas. The Spear makes sense lore-wise, as Darius was the first recorded use of a hidden blade, and it introduces a nice level up and skill system. However, despite it being used for stealth, it is not the most stealth-oriented weapon. While the changes this brings are not major, it’s still weird to have ditched the Hidden Blade.
2. It Features the Oldest Protagonist in the Franchise…By Far.
Altair, the introductory Assassin to the franchise, lived to be 92 years old. Many to follow never had established deaths, but the few that did didn’t live near as long. For example, Ezio was 65 when he died in Assassin’s Creed Embers, and Edward Kenway was in his 40s when he met his death. However, Altair’s reign as the oldest Assassin in the franchise was cut short by the full ending of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. After beating the game, defeating the cultists, and slaying the mythical creatures, Layla discovers the location of Atlantis to travel there in person. While there, Layla meets Alexios/Kassandra who has survived all this time thanks to the mythical Staff of Hermes. They were born around 451 BCE or 446 BCE, and assuming the modern-day takes place around 2018, this means that they die around the age of 2464.
3. It’s the Only Game with Multiple Endings
This may come as a surprise to most, as many who just played it straight through may not have realized the main storyline has various endings. Of course, it pales in comparison to the full ending players get after completing everything in the game and getting close to Odyssey’s level cap, but there’s more to it than that. Based on decisions made early in the game and later on, the number of people who appear at the family table at the end can change. Ultimately, AC Odyssey can end like a true tragedy with the protagonist alone at the table (worst ending) or it can bring the whole family back together (even Stentor) for a truly romantic ending (the best ending).
4. It has a God of War Kratos Easter Egg
In Greece, the setting for AC Odyssey, the God of War is Ares who represents the violent and physicality associated with War (Athena is the goddess of military strategy). However, the chosen God of War for Odyssey is actually Kratos, at least in one Easter egg. There is a cave on the Grand Mount Parnassus in Phokis dubbed the Cave of Kratos which has markings that are incredibly similar to what was seen in the hit PS4 title. If nothing else, this gives hope that a crossover between God of War and Assassin’s Creed Ragnarok is actually something that could happen, since Cory Barlog has voiced support of it in the past.
5. There’s a Battle Royale Mode, Kind of.
It seems as if players can’t go anywhere without a battle royale mode being brought up or discussed, as it is still currently one of the strongest trends in video games. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is no different, though it may not be as prominent as others. There’s a high level sidequest, requiring players to be at least level 41, that throws the player into a fight with 99 others to see who comes out on top. With the exception of dropping in from an airplane, the core elements of the genre are there. Some have suggested that this could mean a return to multiplayer for the franchise in upcoming installments, but that might be a bit of a stretch. It could just be a simple nod to the prominence of that genre. For those interested in checking this out, the quest is titled “The Great Contender” and is located on the island of Melos.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Stadia version also in development.
