The second episode for Assassin's Creed Odyssey: The Legacy of the First Blade dropped yesterday (at the time of writing), and within hours, the DLC had pissed off many a player. We won't go into all the details here for spoiler reasons, but be sure to check out our article on the matter if you want to know more (it also contains a non-spoiler explanation).
The gist of it is that Episode 2: Shadow Heritage forces your hero, either Alexios or Kassandra, into a situation that many believe betrays the game's focus on player choice. At the end of the DLC, you're locked into a relationship that cannot be altered. It gets a little more complicated than that, but again, no spoilers here.
Anyway, Ubisoft has responded to the backlash, which still rages across forums and social media. In statements to Eurogamer, the publisher writes: "We strive to give players choice whenever possible in Odyssey and apologise to those surprised by the events in this episode." Yeah, surprise is one way to put it.
It continues: "Without spoiling it, you will engage in an important relationship as part of a set story. The motivation behind this relationship is yours to explore in game and will be reflected in your character's story arc. There is one episode left in Legacy of the First Blade which will tie your character's actions together."
The second part of this statement suggests that there may be some answers in the third and final DLC episode, which is due out in March.
So what's your take on all this? We'll have a review of Shadow Heritage for you very soon, but until then, grab another mercenary contract in the comments section below.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 25
I bought a copy of AC: Odyssey, just so I could burn it. Take that Ubisoft!
It was a digital copy, and my PS4 didn't take it very well...
Lesson to Ubisoft: Steer clear from any kind of choice in sexual relationships in games. This is a terrible idea and the worst kind of gamers will come crawling out of the woodwork, demanding that their preferences be met. It is an impossible task.
Also, employ better writers.
well maybe they should have explained it in THIS DLC instead of saying "wait for the next one"
honestly when it comes to stories in games (film and TV too) changes are much better received if the reasoning behind them is EXPLAINED in universe when it happens so fans aint stuck scratching their heads trying to figure out WTF just happened
I've never played any of the games myself, but isn't the premise that you're experiencing genetic memories or something like that?
In which case, the 'problem' event would logically had to have happened at some point, otherwise the person experiencing the memories wouldn't exist. So with that in mind, this event seems pretty much inevitable.
@FullbringIchigo Episodic DLC though, innit. Ubisoft wants people to come back (although it's arguably just shot itself in the foot by leaving this practically unexplained).
@Paranoimia Don't destroy it with your logic
@ShogunRok "find out what happens next episode, same bat time, same bat channel"
@SMKpaladin @Paranoimia To be fair I don't even think Ubisoft knows what it's doing with the overarching story anymore. In Odyssey the modern day character uses DNA from an artefact to see into the past. I don't think the same rules apply at this point, it's just one giant convoluted mess.
@ShogunRok what they should do is make a game set JUST in the modern day and finish the story, play as Callum Lynch from the film and then be done with it
@ShogunRok Yeah, I agree with that, at least to some degree. The game starts with this modern day woman finding something that miraculously contains the DNA of two individuals. That made me raise an eyebrow or two. But they had to do something to let the player choose between Kass and Alexios.
I'm sure, we can agree, that the next AC installment should completely can the whole modern day part and never bring it back. I Iiterally hated being pulled back from (or out of?) Ezio only to be forced playing Desmond.
@Octane Good one. 😂
So what do you think has caused more outrage this week, the DLC or the Gillette ad? I'm not sure which caused more, but all I can think is it's the same people being outraged. 😉
In all honesty (and sanity), sequels normally pick ONE scenario from the previous game's multiple possibilities to go with. Why did people expect otherwise with a story progressing DLC? I mean, besides the usual reason involving a four-letter F word?
@rjejr A friend of mine asked me about an hour ago what I thought of the Gilette ad, and now it's you. I have no idea what it's even about lol. I think I'm missing something.
@Octane
That advert is cringey and sexist. It feels unreal. Like as if most men let their sons fight and just say 'boys will be boys' laughing it off etc. Like boys are inherently bad from birth
@DLB3 I'm probably a bit of a weirdo, but I played as Kassandra and got with most of the potential love interests (more so with the women because I generally found them more appealing), but I've also recently found the Gillette ad despicable enough to switch from longtime Venus use to Wilkinson's alternatives in future, because sexism is sexism, even when the target is men, and the ad is very sexist. Not outraged about AC Odyssey DLC though, as I think it's probably just Ubisoft being inexperienced with crafting proper RPGs and not thinking the story through from an RPG perspective fully (though I wouldn't criticise others being outraged about it in this case, as some folk get more into their role playing than others).
@DLB3 "The people angry about the Gillette ad would've never played with a gay character in AC Odyssey."
😂 True, but still very 🤣
@Octane "I have no idea what it's even about lol."
Consider yourself lucky. But it won't last, I think this one may hang around awhile, especially if Gillette decides to air it during the Superbowl. I know that game isn't your thing but it's gets global exposure. OTOH, considering how nutty the world is these days it may be forgotten by tomorrow like the Nike add w/ Kapernick, which you probably didn't see either.
@rjejr
It's apparently only a part of Gillette new campaign to promote a 'new masculinity'.
It's going to get worse I'm afraid, especially if Anita thingy gets more involved in it.
'From today on, we pledge to actively challenge the stereotypes and expectations of what it means to be a man'
Oh boy! Haha
I never cared for Ubisoft or most if not all of their recent games heck the last one I played from them was Prince Of Persia The Two Thrones all the way back in 2005
Their newer series just look dull to me & they seem like copy & pasted from previous titles of said series
@Paranoimia That's already been handwaved away from the series for about four or five games now. The current assassin isnt even related to the folks she is simulating.
@JJ2 "Anita thingy"
I thought of Anita Bryant when you wrote that, though I'm assuming you meant the new Gillette brand director Pankaj Bhalla. Though now that I look at it Pankaj Bhalla doesn't really look like Anita, so hmmm?
Anyway, from Anita Bryant to Anita thingy, it's all kinda come full circle. No wait, 180', my mistake.
FYI since Anita Bryant is probably before your time.
https://medium.com/th-ink/anita-bryant-we-hardly-knew-ye-5081b64c1b56
@rjejr
Haha
You know who I meant. Can't be bothered remembering her surname.
@JJ2 "her surname"
Not even a clue. The only Anita's I know are Hill and Bryant. I told you about Bryant above, and Hill hasn't done anything since being harassed by Clarence Thomas 30 years ago.
I really can't think of any women involved at all with the Gillette ad. I know Cardi B went off on Instagram about Trump but I don't think the 2 are related. I googled "Woke women" but no Anita's. I give up.
@rjejr
Never mind. Sorry I brought that up. Its just I think she's in the vid but really forget it then.
I dont want to go there wasting time with the controversies.
@JJ2 Consider it forgotten. Which should be easy for me as I have no idea whats' going on.
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