4 reasons why Assassin's Creed Origins is worth playing in 2025 (and 3 reasons why not)

Assassin's Creed Origins continues to be a fan favorite, offering a captivating journey through the golden sands, rich culture, and political upheaval of Ancient Egypt. With its stunning visuals and detailed world, the game delves into the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood. While Assassin's Creed Origins remains a standout title for many reasons, it has its fair share of drawbacks.

Let’s discuss whether playing it is worth your time in 2025.

Note: The article is subjective and reflects the writer's views.

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Why Assassin's Creed Origins is worth playing in 2025

1) Combat that feels real and satisfying

Where the previous titles used paired animation system, Origins follows the hitbox system (Image via Ubisoft)

The simple counter-attack mechanic from the previous titles was replaced by a robust RPG-style hitbox combat system that’s gritty and strategic, similar to Dark Souls. When wielding a weapon, Bayek strikes at whatever’s in range, meaning you can hit or miss entirely, adding to the challenge.

The skill tree is diverse, with options to play as a Seer, Warrior, or Hunter. This opens up a range of combat experiences, allowing players to customize Bayek to suit their playstyle.

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2) The origin story

Origins is the 10th installment of the Assassin’s Creed series (Image via Ubisoft)

In Origins, players get to see the birth of the Assassin Brotherhood, and the story is beautifully woven into Bayek’s personal narrative. Without diving into spoilers, the game tells a powerful story of loss, revenge, and justice, leading to the formation of the Assassin’s Creed that we all know today.

As Bayek crosses paths with historical figures like Cleopatra, the story weaves rich historical context, setting the stage for the series’ future. The inclusion of the Order of the Ancients as the primary antagonists adds depth, blending personal stakes with political intrigue.

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3) A richly detailed Ancient Egypt

Bayek and Senu in 49 BC (Image via Ubisoft)

One of the best aspects of Assassin's Creed Origins is the vastness of the world of Ancient Egypt, portrayed perfectly by the developers. The environments are detailed, from the dry sands of the desert to the bustling settlements by the Nile.

Furthermore, the game’s NPCs aren't just wandering aimlessly, for a change. They have their own daily routines (including eating, working, and even sleeping), which makes the world feel genuinely alive in Assassin's Creed Origins.

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4) Origins DLCs

A still from The Hidden Ones and The Curse of the Pharaohs DLC (Image via Ubisoft)

The two DLCs for Assassin's Creed Origins — The Hidden Ones and The Curse of the Pharaohs — offer fresh and exciting expansions to the base game. In The Hidden Ones, Bayek, now a seasoned leader, takes on the mission of liberating the Sinai Peninsula from Roman occupation.

The Curse of the Pharaohs explores Egyptian mythology, sending Bayek to Thebes to investigate a curse that has reanimated ancient pharaohs. Both DLCs enrich the game with unique storylines, tougher combat, and deeper lore, making the overall experience even more engaging.

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Why it might not be for you

1) PC Issues in 2025

A still from The Hidden Ones DLC (Image via Ubisoft)

In 2025, Assassin's Creed Origins suffered from issues related to recent Windows 11 updates, which have made the game unplayable for some PC users. A compatibility bug with Windows 11 version 24H2 has caused significant frustration, leading to issues like black screen, game crashes, and freezing for many players.

While Ubisoft and Microsoft are working on fixes, the game's recent review-bombing on Steam highlights how frustrating these issues can be, dragging the game’s overall rating down. Until resolved, PC players may need to exercise caution.

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2) Microtransactions

Bayek in Curse of the Pharaohs DLC (Image via Ubisoft)

As with many modern Ubisoft games, Assassin’s Creed Origins comes with microtransactions. While not as intrusive as some other titles, Origins has microtransactions that allow players to buy cosmetic items, legendary weapons, and "Time Savers". These include in-game money, crafting materials, and skill points.

They make in-game progression faster, but don’t really offer anything that players can’t obtain by just playing the game.

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3) A familiar formula

Assassin's Creed Origins was released on October 27, 2017 (Image via Ubisoft)

It’s clear that Origins took inspiration from a variety of other games. The crafting system, wildlife taming, and even the general exploration mechanics are reminiscent of games like Far Cry, Horizon Zero Dawn, and The Witcher 3.

While this isn’t inherently a bad thing, the reliance on these mechanics can make the game feel less original, especially for players who have already experienced these systems in other titles.