Assassin's Creed Origins To Get "Tons" Of Challenging Boss Fights

Fast facts:

• Assassin's Creed Origins release date: TBC
• Format: PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Developer: Ubisoft
• Price: TBC

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Assassin's Creed Origins looks like it's going to do a lot to change up a formula that has, by all accounts, gotten pretty stale. It's embracing action RPG elements, sprawling open maps, and more free-form action than ever before, but it's also getting something that haven't been a focus for the series in years: boss fights.

In a behind closed doors presentation Origins director Ashraf Ismail (who previously helmed the acclaimed piratey entry, Black Flag) talked about the changes coming to the franchise. Among the overhauls to the overall structure and flow, Assassin's Creed Origins also aims to be much more difficult that previous entries, which allows the game to create special combat encounters. Ismail explains:

"Of course all of this wouldn't work if we didn't have proper challenge in the game...we want players to look at the loadout of an enemy. What weapons are they carrying, what shields are they using, this stuff matters. It changes the way you play against them. This allowed us to do epic boss fights. We wanted AC with boss fights, tons of boss fights."

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Our own Louise Blain got a chance to play one of those boss fights in her hands-on preview, set in an arena filled with cheering crowds and spinning blades. Based on her experience, these boss fights sound far more unforgiving than simply chasing down your target and stabbing them from the air, as they require full use of the brand new combat tech, demanding ducking and dodging and the combination of light and heavy attacks to send the foes off balance.

Make sure you check out our full E3 2017 schedule to stay tuned for all the details as they arrive, and check out our roundup of all the E3 2017 trailers. And read on for everything else we know about Assassin's Creed Origins.

Assassin's Creed Origins teaser is promising "a new era"

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Assassins Creed UK
Sharpen your blade. The Assassins will soon step out of the shadows...

Sharpen that blade, Assassins. This Tweet is all we've officially had from Ubisoft on the new addition to the franchise that we all know is definitely Assassin's Creed Origins, thanks to approximately three million leaks.* Obviously intent on revealing everything come E3, this is all we really need from Ubi to know it's coming. The gold and blue is striking and if it makes you think of ancient treasure, that might not be too foolish a connection to make when it comes to Ancient Egypt.

*maybe four

Assassin's Creed Origins time period is definitely Ancient Egypt

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Whoever has been saying "I want my Mummy", your wish has been granted. The Creed is off to Ancient Egypt. We already suspected last year when we uncovered that Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag's creative director Ashraf Ismail was working on an unannounced project and had previously voiced a desire for the time period, but everything since has just confirmed that this is the case. The leaker of the boat screen's Reddit name is 'Shoutouttoashraf' and they also confirmed that the Black Flag team is working on the game, saying 'AC4 leads are working on this... most of the AC4 team.'

But the biggest confirmation comes from another leaker in a now deleted 4chan thread from someone clearly in the Ubi building who starting answering questions about anything and everything. When it comes to time period, the leaker doesn't just say Ancient Egypt but gives actual dates. "Last I heard they were slotting it somewhere between 1400 and 1200BCE," the post said. They then then went on to say that a piece of Eden has been used during the Exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea which all ties into the main mission of the modern day Assassin. Also worth noting is that the above leaked screen from earlier this year has been confirmed as an earlier build of the game. You can just see the Assassin symbol on the shield.

Assassin's Creed Origins release date will be before Christmas

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Don't worry, this isn't just wishful thinking from someone who hasn't worn a hidden blade in over a year. A number of factors point towards a 2017 Assassin's Creed Origins release date. First off, Ubi has been releasing AC games on a yearly basis since AC 2 all the way back in 2009. 2016 was the only year that's been skipped. It'll want to get back to the pre-Christmas party ASAP and the fact that Far Cry 5 has been scheduled for February 2018 clears the slate for a nice free run before the festive period. Secondly, the aformentioned exceptionally knowing 4chan post confirmed as much, saying that it will arrive around October.

Given that we've normally had a good look at footage by this time in a normal Creed year, the gameplay we see at E3 should be pretty significant if we're on schedule for a 2017 release. It's also worth noting here that this will allegedly be a completely single player experience thanks to Ubi's concentration on no AC Unity-style bugs. The 4chan poster repeatedly stated that this will be a slick single player experience with no add on apps or bells and whistles. Although the post did mention that there will still be in app purchases just like Black Flag and Syndicate.

Assassin's Creed Origins hero has already been revealed on a T-Shirt and might be back in more games

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Well, would you look at that. A man in a hood. This image of our newest sneaky stabber comes courtesy of a Neogaf user who clearly had some seriously early access to merchandise. The name Bayek is in the top right corner and is that an Egyptian style eagle with feathers in the background? Add in the fact that the image perfectly matches the leaked screen we've already seen, complete with bow and round shield and I'd say we've got our leading man. Oh, and if that isn't enough? The Tweet below is from the game director of Black Flag. Yes, the one who has been working on an 'unannounced' project. Thanks, Ashraf.

It's also worth noting that our new hero will apparently star in two more games in the franchise, a bit like the Ezio series. The mysterious 4chan poster suggested that the follow up to this one will be Greece and apparently the next one is undecided. This makes sense when you look at Ubi's GIF tease saying "a new era begins." This could easily mean more than one slice of the action during this time period.

Assassin's Creed Origins isn't going to have any towers and you have an EAGLE for scouting

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Well there's a turn up for the books. Literally defining Ubi's open worlds since the original Assassin's Creed, synch points are apparently no more. Forget about clambering up towers and revealing a map of 'things' before diving into the nearest shrub, if our trusty 4chan leaker is to be believed, you've got an eagle companion instead and we've even got a placeholder name, 'Akhom.' Apparently the eagle will scout the map from anywhere but there's a distance limit from the central protagonist. This would be a natural step for the series for something a less cookie cutter. Previous rumours have talked about this being a true open world and rather than areas being filled up via towers, it makes more sense for Egypt to unravel in a more natural and unique way.

Assassin's Creed Origins lets you choose whether to have your hood up or down

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Ok, so funnily enough, if I believe any of these details this is probably the one I believe the most. "You'll be able to put your hood up or down whenever you feel like it," says our anonymous friend with all the knowledge. Why do people care, you ask? Remember when Connor's hood stayed down after you finished AC3 and how furious everyone got and Ubi has to patch in his hood? Or how there was an actual petition to let us keep our hoods up in Assassin's Creed Syndicate? Well it would make sense for Ubi to want to fix that and tell as many people as possible. Whood knew it was such a big deal?

Assassin's Creed Origins will have a new modern day hero but fan favourites will return

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Going deeper into the rumour Animus, we've also got confirmation of a new modern day protagonist who is already a trained Assassin - so none of that 'how do I use a hidden blade?' nonsense - and he interacts with Rebecca, Shaun and William. His mission, should we choose to accept it, will apparently be handed over by William. It'll be nice to finally be a proper character again rather than just nameless Abstergo employee. A previous rumour said the modern day action is pretty exciting so going back to a third person perspective and doing actual missions sounds pretty tantalising .

Assassin's Creed Origins combat is more reaction based and free-running is the same as Syndicate and Unity

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But how about those sweet gory counter attacks? Well combat has had a revamp too apparently. Things are less one button and enemies are smarter and will work harder to flank you. The 4chan post says it's similar to The Witcher but easier to grasp. Allegedly it's difficult to explain without letting people go hands on. Stealth too has been rebooted with more social stealth than the latest few games. We'll be seeing plenty of hiding in groups of slaves and in crowds. And there's even details on the series staple freerunning (adding further credence to this being no accidental leak). There will be the same up and down mechanic as Unity and Syndicate but with bonus flair a la Watch Dogs 2.

Assassin's Creed Origins will see the hidden blade return

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And finally, despite the fact that we'll be in the earliest Creed territory yet, we will have a version of the hidden blade. Just like Altair, it will require the removal of the ring finger for use. Other weapons are rumoured to be more traditional to keep to the time period so bows, swords and spears are the order of the day. Nope, no rope launcher for you...

As ever, this is all conjecture but I'll keep you updated on the latest on the new Assassin's Creed.

Source: Games Radar