Assassin’s Creed Origins: The Hidden Ones Review

Criticism

However, that also means that The Hidden Ones reports some of the irritating problems seen in the rest of Origins. A few moments of glitch-laden maneuvers along surfaces, especially those along mountain ranges and desert areas, occurred during gameplay.

The difficulty curve gets quite steep, with more damage resistant enemies popping up as the expansion progresses. Hardening the skin and other resources to upgrade Bayek’s equipment is essential only to keep up with the threats faced. And a number of mission-blocking bugs are irritating to deal with. For example, the disappearance of commanders can prevent a stronghold from being completely cleared, or some puzzles may not load properly.

Presentation

Fortunately, The Hidden Ones stays on track thanks in large part to its still stellar production values. Sinai may not be as diverse in its flora and geographic composition as the rest of Origins’ Egypt, but it is nonetheless a surprisingly accomplished kingdom of immense rock formations and coastal settlements. Basking in the hustle and bustle of the villages, crossing the vast sand dunes to the south ⁠— there is so much to enjoy in this place.

Audio-wise, what matters most in The Hidden Ones are the vocal performances, from both the main and supporting cast. Bayek’s actor, Abubakar Salim, really nails the balance between gravity and calm sensitivity that the character guarantees, managing to convey vulnerability particularly well in some scenes of the last tale. Some actors (some of whom are returning cast members) play their roles well and, without revealing the plot, add to the emotional weight of the climax.

Final verdict

Those who may have contested Origins’ mechanics and progression system aren’t exactly guaranteed to gravitate towards The Hidden Ones on these grounds, given the “roughly the same” design mentality at work here.

However, players who find the narrative and thematic aspects of the series most appealing – or who enjoyed Origins’ design – will find a satisfying experience awaits them in The Hidden Ones.