Why AC Origins is The Heart of Assassin’s Creed Franchise
January 25, 2023It’s been more than five years since the release of the Assassin’s Creed Origins/AC Origins game – yet the question of whether AC Origins is the heart of the Assassin’s Creed franchise still clouds the sky. In this article, we would do our best to do justice to this simple puzzle by shedding light on the following possible questions:
- What is Assassin’s Creed Origins’ backstory?
- Who Started the Assassin’s Creed?
- How is Assassin’s Creed Origins related to the Assassin’s Creed franchise?
- What is the Isu or the First Civilization in Assassin’s Creed Origins?
- What is the connection of the Isu to Assassin’s Creed Origins?
- Why is Assassin’s Creed Origins important to the Assassin’s Creed franchise?
What is Assassin’s Creed Origins Backstory?
Assassin’s Creed Origins is set in ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic period, around 49-47 BCE. The protagonist of AC Origins is Bayek of Siwa, a Medjay and guardian of the pharaohs who is caught up in a battle between the Assassins and the Templars. Moreover, the plot of the game centres on Bayek’s quest to exact revenge on the influential individuals known as the Order of the Ancients who murdered his son (Khemu). As Bayek looks into his son’s death, he discovers a bigger plot involving the Order of the Ancients, who want to control Egypt and its people.
Aya (Amunet), Bayek’s wife, joins him as an assassin. Together, they formed a group of like-minded people who share their beliefs to destroy the Order of the Ancients and restore justice to Egypt. The game also explores the story of the first civilization and the Isu, an ancient and powerful civilization that preceded humanity.
Who Started the Assassin’s Creed?
While the founder of the Assassin’s Creed is not stated directly in the Assassin’s Creed game series, it is assumed that Bayek and Aya were among the first members of the Assassins after the events of Assassin’s Creed Origins. It all started when Bayek starts noticing the abuse of power and corruption by the ruling elites making him lose faith in his duty. He formed a group of people who share his ideals and begins to take action against corrupt officials and powerful individuals.
This group, which is the Assassins’ first known incarnation, is committed to upholding justice and shielding the people from injustice. The game does not explicitly mention whether this particular group of assassins is related to assassins in other periods, including Altaïr, the main character of Assassin’s Creed II and a member of the Assassin Order in the 12th century. But it may be assumed that the beliefs and ideals of the first Assassins, Bayek and Aya, who initiated the creed, are probably passed down to later assassins like Altaïr.
In addition to this, there was an instance in the game that proves that Bayek and Aya are indeed the father and mother of Assassin’s Creed. After killing Flavius (The Lion), Bayek and Aya concluded that they are better off as justice seekers than lovers. Thereafter Bayek declared that he is no more a father or a husband but a seeker of justice – and tossed a bird skull to the ground. Aya picked up the bird skull and its aftermath formed the Assassins’ symbol we all know.
This is one of the signs that Bayek and Aya are linked to the Assassin’s Creed’s origins. So one can say that Bayek of Siwa and Aya (Amunet) are considered the ones who started the Assassin’s Creed.
How is Assassin’s Creed Origins Related to the Assassin’s Creed Franchise?
Assassin’s Creed Origins provides a deep and extensive history of the Assassin’s Creed franchise and how it evolved over time. It offers a more in-depth look at the Assassins’ history, philosophy, and battle with the Templars, which is a major topic throughout the series. The incorporation of the Isu and their technology adds another level of complexity to the game’s narrative and sheds more light on the history of the Assassins as well as the conflict over free will and the rights of people to live without tyranny.
What is the Isu Or the First Civilization in Assassin’s Creed Origins?
Isu is an ancient and powerful civilization that is featured in the Assassin’s Creed game series. They are believed to have invented the Pieces of Eden (The Apple) – a potent ancient artefact with the capacity to influence people’s minds and are supposed to have existed for thousands of years before the game’s events. The Isu is believed to have had a significant influence on human history and is also accountable for the creation of humanity.
They also invented the animus, which serves as the foundation for the Assassin’s Creed games and allows users to revisit the experiences of their ancestors. It is stated that the Isu, also known as the “gods” in the game, were technologically sophisticated and possessed extensive knowledge of science and engineering, which they used to develop the Pieces of Eden and other cutting-edge technologies. The Isu were thought to be immortal, but after a calamity that almost destroyed their society, just a small number of them survived and fled into hiding.
They are also responsible for developing the Assassins’ creed, which upholds people’s rights to free will and freedom from oppression. The Isu felt that people must have the freedom to make their own decisions and be held responsible for their deeds if mankind is to advance.
What is the Connection of the Isu to AC Origins/Assassin’s Creed Origins?
In Assassin’s Creed Origins, the Isu is connected to the main story through the Pieces of Eden. The Order of the Ancients owns one of these relics which they utilise to manipulate the brains of key individuals to retain their grasp on power in Egypt. Bayek sets out to put an end to the Order of the Ancients’ usage of the Pieces of Eden. The game also delves into the Isu’s history, their involvement in the birth of humanity, and the impact they had on human history. AC Origins also demonstrates some of the Isu’s cutting-edge technologies and cutting-edge scientific and engineering skills.
The storyline also examines what happened to the Isu, their civilisation, which was on the verge of extinction due to a calamity, and the few Isu who survived and fled into hiding. Furthermore, the main goal of the main character, Bayek, is to protect his people and his land from the oppression that the Order of Ancients, in possession of the Isu’s technology, is causing. In this sense, the Isu’s story and technology is the backdrop for the main story in Origins.
Why is Assassin’s Creed Origins Important to the Assassin’s Creed Franchise?
Assassin’s Creed Origins is considered the heart of the Assassin’s Creed franchise because it provides a deeper look into the origins of the creed and how it evolved over time. It explores the origins of the Assassins, their beliefs and how they were formed. The game also explored the backstory of the Isu, an ancient and powerful civilization that preceded humanity and also created the pieces of Eden, hidden blade and other important elements of the series.
With the inclusion of the Isu and their technology, Origins adds an additional layer of complexity to the game’s tale and provides greater context to the origins of the Assassins and their quest for free will and the rights of individuals to be free from oppression. The Assassins’ Creed and the Templars are prominent elements in the series, and Origins deepens our understanding of their formation while also adding to the franchise’s backstory.
Are you ready to take on the challenge to explore the true origins of the Assassin’s Creed and even more? Get Assassin’s Creed Origins on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna.
How Long to Complete Assassin’s Creed Origins?
The time it takes to complete Assassin’s Creed Origins depends on the player’s playstyle and the amount of time they spend on side missions. The main story missions can be completed in 20–25 hours, but if the player chooses to engage in all the side activities, including world exploration, quest completion, and item collection, it may take considerably longer. To finish the game and experience everything it has to offer, it can take anywhere from 30 to 40 hours on average. However, some players claim that it took them up to 50 or even more hours to finish the entire game.
