Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Origins Review: Steps back to leap forward

Published

November 10, 2017

Joseph Berida

After taking a year off from its annual release cycle, Assassin’s Creed is back. A newbie to the games swan dives into Assassin’s Creed Origins to see if the changes to the formula is enough to revitalize the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed is one of modern video games’ landmark series. It’s actually been a decade since the first game was released, which started off a hugely successful multimedia franchise spanning games, comics, novels, and even a Hollywood film.

Recent years haven’t been as kind to the brand, though. The annual releases on every platform eventually wore on critics and consumers, as review scores and sales dwindled after the peaks of the second and third main games. Ubisoft, the series creator, eventually gave Assassin’s Creed a one-year break before putting out this latest installment.

I mention all this because even as a games enthusiast, I went into Assassin’s Creed Origins having zero experience with the whole franchise.

Back to the beginning

For a series newbie, the setup is perfect. Origins basically tells how the Assassin Brotherhood, the secret organization that each protagonist from every game is part of, came to be. It takes place at the tail end of Ancient Egypt. The two pharaohs Ptolemy and Cleopatra are at odds over who should be the rightful ruler. Meanwhile, the threat of Roman imperial influence on the nation, spearheaded by Julius Caesar, hangs heavy over the embattled Egyptian monarchy.

Amid this political turmoil, you play as Bayek, the medjay of the province of Siwa, and the very last of Egypt’s ordained protectors. You are on a quest for revenge against a shadowy cabal planning on taking complete control of the country.

No other big budget game comes to mind that tackles this particular setting, so my interest was piqued, despite the rather messy intro. Fortunately, that interest blossomed into a mostly enjoyable 42-hour experience!

Gorgeous and gigantic

That enjoyment had a lot to do with how much I wanted to be in Origins‘ staggering simulation of Ancient Egypt. From the way sand blows in the desert winds to how sunlight gleams on the surface of the Nile; from the architectural apex of Greek and Egyptian antiquity in Alexandria to the fading beauty of Egypt’s capital Memphis; and from the artistic Hellenistic heights of Greco-Roman Cyrene to the ever-enduring mystery and majesty of the Pyramids of Giza, Origins renders it all in stunning fashion.

Even the depiction of life and culture in that age is impressive. Markets and ports bustle with merchants peddling wares and laborers working on galleys. Guards on horseback and chariots patrol cobblestone streets and escort traders across land and sea. A whole mountain village is dedicated to extracting salt for mummification, with the statue of Anubis, the jackal god of death, perched on a shrine overlooking the settlement.

So, even though I found the quests at the beginning to be worryingly banal, I sought them out just to learn more about the world. A good deal of them flesh out the overarching narrative, too, as they illustrate the villains’ tyranny manifesting in numerous, logical ways.

Likable leads

Bayek’s character shines through his interactions with the populace. I found that he could laugh at himself while still being fiercely passionate in his sense of justice and respect for tradition. Him being a father and a husband reflects on how good he is with kids and understanding of parents with family problems.

His relationship with his wife Aya is also refreshing. They are both extremely competent as warrior assassins and trust each other’s ability. While they share the goal of revenge, they each have distinct motivations that set their character arcs apart. Affection is something they don’t hesitate to show one another. They display moments of emotional vulnerability, but they deal with it maturely like you’d expect from a long-married, caring couple.

The rest of the cast doesn’t come close to this level of characterization, but this core pairing is solid enough that it made me want to see their story through to the end.

Gameplay is a grower

I’m grateful for being so drawn into the world and these two leads, as I wasn’t having a great time with Origins until I played way more of it. After unlocking more abilities, gaining more tools and weapons, and generally getting a hang of the mechanics, I eventually found the gameplay rewarding in itself.

While still having an action/stealth adventure foundation, Origins builds a light RPG structure a la Horizon Zero Dawn on top of it; you level up, get stronger, and gain access to more abilities. You can improve your gear with crafting materials you collect from hunting animals, dismantling equipment, or shopping at vendors. There’s a variety of weapons and shields with stats and unique perks, and they also have levels that determine their effectiveness.

Because Bayek’s capabilities are tied into hard numbers, I was frustrated on numerous occasions during fights and sneaking up on enemies that were just two or three levels higher than me in the early goings. I was still grasping the fundamentals of combat and stealth, so it wasn’t uncommon for me to get spotted while trying to sneak into a base, surrounded by multiple guards, and killed in the ensuing melee.

More demanding mechanics

The fighting system has been revamped, too. It’s reminiscent of Dark Souls in that you’re throwing measured strikes with your weapon while dodging or blocking incoming blows, and every button press has Bayek committing to whatever action you take. If you throw out a strong attack and miss, you will likely get punished with a counter-attack. There is no stamina to worry about though, with only slight pauses in between attack and defend animations to keep you from chaining infinite combos. You do have an “Overpower meter” that gradually fills up in combat. Once it’s full, it allows you to either do a powerful one-hit super move or speed up your every attack for a set amount of time, depending on what weapon you have equipped.

It’s not as tight and responsive as the Souls games, though. I struggled at the sluggishness of striking and the skittery enemy movements.

Going into a heavily guarded fort or bandit hideout, you have one major advantage. You can take control of Senu, Bayek’s trusty eagle companion, to fly over the map and mark locations of your quest objectives, enemies, treasure, and other items you can interact with. It’s critical prep work before entering hostile territory, but even then it didn’t feel like enough for me to confidently clear out encampments without alerting everyone in them.

But once I got comfortable with the controls and earned more abilities, the gameplay started to click with me.

Slow but satisfying surprise

Around eight hours and 15 levels in, I was better at sneaking past enemies and smarter at fighting them with fire bombs and warrior bows. 20 hours and 25 levels in, I was silently headshotting guards and slaying lions and crocodiles. 40 hours and 35 levels in, I was clearing out fortresses and palaces using sleep darts and poison traps and brutally executing entire garrisons with my assortment of legendary dual blades, spears, sickle swords, and staves.

Assassin’s Creed Origins is the perfect example of a lovingly crafted virtual world with a strong sense of place that is truly captivating, so much so that it carried me to discovering joy in seemingly simple systems. It’s a slow starter, for sure, but it turned out to be the biggest surprise for me so far in this year of stellar video games, and I’m glad I took the leap on Assassin’s Creed at the right time.

[irp posts=”22808″ name=”Middle-earth: Shadow of War review — System overload”]

Gaming

My Hero Academia: All’s Justice: A familiar Final War, made playable

Reliving the Final War

Published

February 5, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

There’s a certain expectation that comes with a My Hero Academia game, especially one billed as the “final chapter.” You expect big emotions, loud battles, and characters pushed to their limits. After spending time with My Hero Academia: All’s Justice, it’s clear Bandai Namco isn’t trying to reinvent the arena fighter formula. Instead, it’s refining what fans already know and framing it around the series’ most climactic arc.

Early on, the game feels immediately familiar. If you’ve played previous My Hero Academia console titles, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. Combat rhythms, camera angles, and overall pacing don’t drastically change. For casual fighting game players like myself, the differences feel more granular than transformative, but that familiarity makes the game easy to settle into.

One notable addition is the dual control scheme: “Normal” and “Manual.” Normal mode smooths out inputs, lowering the skill floor, while Manual mode is the classic arena fighter setup. Normal works but reduces player agency in ways that feel unusual. Outside of combat, the game also replaces a standard menu with a city-like hub. Playing as Deku, you pull up a smartphone-style menu to access modes, subtly increasing immersion.

Combat and battle system

Combat feels largely unchanged in speed but leans more aerial than expected. Characters spend a lot of time in the air, creating distance and forcing you to think about positioning. Aggressive players may struggle, as patience and smart movement are rewarded more than constant pressure.

Quirks are intuitive, even for newcomers to 3D arena fighters. Visual indicators clearly communicate cooldowns and power states. Some Quirks are tuned for balance, but they still feel faithful to the anime. Ultimate and cinematic moves are satisfying and feel earned, never spammy.

Character variety is a standout. Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto share similar combat prompts, but their Quirks dictate unique movement, attack patterns, and space control. Deku, in particular, feels beginner-friendly, making him a natural starting point.

Roster and character balance

The roster feels large without overwhelming the player. Final-form characters aren’t instantly dominant; the true power spike comes when a character enters a “Rising” state after being the last fighter, gaining buffs across damage and abilities. Villains are just as enjoyable as heroes, with Dabi proving particularly fun to play. Story mode also presents moments of genuine challenge, such as facing multiple opponents at once.

While it’s early to speak on balance issues, the game seems thoughtfully tuned so far. Beginner-friendly characters include Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto, while other fighters may require more experience to master.

Team Up Missions

Team Up Missions offer shorter, varied challenges that feel like playable mini OVAs. While not essential to the main story, they unlock legacy battles and extra content for fans.

AI allies are competent and punish reckless play, which makes team composition matter more than cosmetic choices. While these missions don’t dramatically expand the fantasy of teamwork, they add fun replayable content for single-player fans.

Story and cinematic presentation

Story mode is where All’s Justice shines. Experiencing the Final War interactively delivers the same giddy excitement as watching those moments unfold in the anime. It evokes memories of the Naruto Ninja Storm series, balancing spectacle and fan service. Transitions between gameplay and cutscenes are serviceable—neither jarring nor groundbreaking.

The game assumes familiarity with the story, so newcomers may feel lost without prior anime knowledge. Battles often carry emotional weight, effectively allowing players to relive key moments of the Final War.

Visuals, performance, and audio

The game runs smoothly on PS5, even during effects-heavy fights. Character models are adequate, though not as sharp as hoped, while facial animations during story moments are expressive and well-done. The UI does enough to keep combat readable without distracting from the action.

Audio stands out. Voice acting delivers intensity, hit sounds feel impactful, and music consistently elevates big moments. The game is loud, but in a way that matches the over-the-top energy of the series.

Should you play My Hero Academia: All’s Justice

My Hero Academia: All’s Justice feels like a proper final chapter. It doesn’t overreach but delivers where it matters most. Competitive players will find depth, while anime fans can relive beloved battles interactively.

It may not redefine the genre, but it understands exactly what kind of game it wants to be—and it delivers that confidently.

The combination of familiar combat, a large and varied roster, cinematic story moments, and thoughtful extras like Team Up Missions makes it a satisfying experience for anyone looking to step into the shoes of their favorite heroes and villains.

Gaming

AMD teases next-gen Xbox coming in 2027

It might double as a usable PC, too.

Published

February 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

It’s been a while since GPU companies focused on making chips for consoles. With how the industry is going now, chips feel like they’re destined to end up in the suffocating deluge of AI servers. Now, however, AMD is showing signs of healing by teasing the next-generation Xbox.

In the latest earnings call (via Engadget), AMD CEO Lisa Su teased that the next-gen Xbox, built with a custom AMD SoC, is “progressing well to support a launch in 2027.”

The subtle tease is vague enough to obscure any details about the upcoming console but clear enough to confirm that it’s coming. Since the Xbox Series X|S has been out for several years now, it’s not surprising that Microsoft is thinking about what’s coming next.

However, it’s still intriguing that Microsoft is going for another console. Previous reports have speculated that the company might focus on delivering games, especially through the Game Pass. Lately, both the PlayStation and the Switch have thoroughly dominated the console market ahead of the Xbox. Handheld consoles are likewise impressive, too.

Other reports have speculated that the upcoming generation will focus on delivering both a gaming and a PC experience. With the Steam Machine coming soon, it seems natural that the next consoles will be usable PCs as well.

SEE ALSO: Match Pulse: ROG Xbox Ally X

Gaming

Overwatch reinvents itself with a new story and five new heroes

And it’s not “Overwatch 2” anymore.

Published

February 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Overwatch 2 was not a disaster for the popular multiplayer shooter franchise. It did, however, make the game more polarizing. For 2026, Blizzard is shaking things up once again, starting by dropping the “2” from Overwatch 2.

During its scheduled showcase, the new-and-improved Overwatch will feature annual storylines that will keep the game fresh for years to come. The system will go live on February 10. By then, the year-long event called Reign of Talon will start with Season 1.

As the name suggests, this year will be all about the villain-coded Talon organization, and it’s going to be more story-driven. Right off the bat, a new cinematic sees Vendetta seemingly kill Doomfist and take over the leadership of Talon.

Blizzard says that the year will see ten new characters introduced to the roster. In fact, five of those will already be playable starting in Season 1.

Without a doubt, the highlight character for this round is the formerly cancelled Jetpack Cat. The character was first rumored all the way back in 2017 but will now be fully playable this season. The flying feline hero is a support character that can hook another hero to a location while healing them. Their ultimate reverses this by having them crash land onto enemies and then hooking one to, ideally, drop them off the map.

Jetpack Cat will join four other heroes. Anran, who is also affiliated with the Overwatch faction, deals fire damage. Domina, who, along with the next three heroes, works with Talon, is a shield-based tank. Emre imagines an evil version of Soldier: 76. Finally, Mizuki is a Talon-affiliated healer.

Besides a new story and heroes, Overwatch will feature new game modes and improvements across the board. The new Season 1 starts on February 10.