Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • Cameras
  • More
    • Home
    • News
    • Best
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max review
  • iPhone 15 review
  • TechRadar Choice Awards
  • iPhone 15 Pro hands on
  • Apple Watch 9
  • Wordle hints
  • Best VPN

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Gaming
  2. Consoles & PC

6 new features in Assassin’s Creed Origins you might have missed

News
By Emma Boyle
published 14 June 2017

It's looking like a different world

Introduction

Introduction

Assassin’s Creed Origins has had a big presence at this year’s E3 in Los Angeles, featuring at both Microsoft’s conference and developer Ubisoft’s conference. At both events, we got to see brand new footage from the game. Even better, we've now gotten the chance to get hands on with it on the new Xbox One X.

At this point we’ve had a pretty good look at the game and it’s safe to say that in some ways it’s very different from any of the previous Assassin’s Creed titles. 

The most obvious difference is that it’s set 1m000 years before the events of the first game and features a brand new protagonist. However, there are smaller but equally significant changes we think are worth pointing out, just in case you missed them.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
There's an underwater world to explore

There's an underwater world to explore

In Assassin’s Creed Origins the game map is truly huge in terms of landmass. Excitingly, though, it’s even larger than you first think as bodies of water are now fully explorable, too. This time, you can dive beneath the surface of rivers and oceans to uncover loot hidden in riverbeds or even inside massive shipwrecks. 

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
You'll fight in more places than ever

You'll fight in more places than ever

This might be the first Assassin’s Creed where you can truly explore under the sea but that doesn’t mean it’s a safe place for protagonist Bayek to be. 

If you dive into the deep you’ll still face wildlife dangers such as hippos, and you’ll be able to engage them in melee combat under the water. It’s worth taking care if you decide to kill an animal in the water or leave a body there, though; blood attracts predators and you could find yourself in more trouble than when you started. 

You'll also now be able to fire arrows at enemies as well as use melee attacks from the back of whatever steed you choose, whether that's a horse or a camel.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Crafting and upgrades

Crafting and upgrades

Assassin’s Creed Origins is introducing many RPG elements this time around and of course that means crafting. 

You’ll be able to improve your armor, weapons and tools through your crafting ability and to collect the items you need. You’ll have to explore the game world for loot and hunt the diverse range of wildlife that now populate the Assassin’s Creed world, from hippos to crocodiles. 

Crafting and upgrading will be essential in the new Assassin’s Creed as leveling up is key to surviving. You won’t be able to instant kill an enemy of a much higher level, for example, if your weapons aren’t up to scratch. This even applies to the hidden blade, which was traditionally the best way to get an instant kill.

It's not only items that are can be upgraded - your eagle Senu can be given new skills that will allow her to attack enemies and distract them.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Skill tree

Skill tree

The new RPG elements also extend to a skill tree that's been added to help you tailor your play in a way that suits you. The skill tree is split into three sections: warrior, archer, and a rogue-type category called Seer that revolves around improving skills like crafting. 

You won’t have to focus on just one area; in fact, they overlap in a way that almost encourages blending skills together. This means you can develop a combat style that suits you, whether you prefer to take down enemies from afar, trick them with crafty traps, or charge straight in like a battlefield warrior.

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
No more Eagle Vision

No more Eagle Vision

Assassin’s Creed Origins has dropped the Eagle Vision ability in favor of giving players control over an actual pet eagle called Senu. 

When you summon Senu, you take complete control of her and get a bird’s eye view of the game world. This new feature adds more of a strategic element to the game as you can use it to truly scout ahead and mark out enemies to reduce the risk of being taken by surprise. 

Senu isn’t just useful for scouting, though, as she can also be used to find mission objectives and crafting items as well as attack and distract enemies.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Animal taming

Animal taming

Though animals can be hunted in Assassin's Creed Origins and harvested for crafting materials, they can also be tamed to fight alongside you in battle. 

This is an ability that must be unlocked by progressing in the 'Seer' section of the skill tree at which point they'll be able to use a sleep dart on creatures that range from lions to hippos and tame them in order to turn them from enemies to allies.

This is a feature extremely reminiscent of Far Cry Primal but it's certainly an addition that works in this new more open Assassin's Creed world. 

  • E3 is the world's largest exhibition for the games industry, stuffed full of the latest and greatest games, consoles, and gaming hardware. TechRadar is reporting live from Los Angeles all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated E3 2017 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar's world-class analysis and buying advice about the next year in gaming.
Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Emma Boyle
Emma Boyle
Social Links Navigation

Emma Boyle is TechRadar’s ex-Gaming Editor, and is now a content developer and freelance journalist. She has written for magazines and websites including T3, Stuff and The Independent. Emma currently works as a Content Developer in Edinburgh.

More about consoles pc
Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 will finally let you change your appearance in patch 3

A screenshot from Alien Hominid HD showing an alien fighting a boss.

Alien Hominid HD is developer The Behemoth’s way of “contributing to preserving games”

Latest
Close up shot of Carlos Sainz taking a corner in his Ferrari F1 car

Japan Grand Prix live stream: how to watch F1 online from anywhere – Lights Out

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Signal is adding quantum-level encryption to help keep customers safe

By Craig HaleSeptember 21, 2023

Microsoft mocks Apple at Surface event, claiming Surface Laptop Studio 2 is faster than the MacBook Pro

By Matt HansonSeptember 21, 2023

Baldur's Gate 3 will finally let you change your appearance in patch 3

By Demi WilliamsSeptember 21, 2023

Look out, Nvidia RTX 4070 – AMD’s RX 7800 XT GPU proves surprisingly fast when power usage is dropped

By Darren AllanSeptember 21, 2023

Watch out Amazon and Roku, Vizio’s new 4K TVs are vying to be the best budget TVs

By Al GriffinSeptember 21, 2023

Alien Hominid HD is developer The Behemoth’s way of “contributing to preserving games”

By Catherine LewisSeptember 21, 2023

Acronis gifts consumers boosted AI power for their cyber-protection

By Lewis MaddisonSeptember 21, 2023

Microsoft announces Copilot all-in-one AI assistant coming to Windows 11 on September 26

By Kristina TerechSeptember 21, 2023

Final Fantasy 14 has announced a tabletop RPG adaptation and it's been a long time coming

By Cat BussellSeptember 21, 2023

Suda51 and Swery unveil first look at its time looping horror game Hotel Barcelona

By Demi WilliamsSeptember 21, 2023

FBI and CISA issue warning about dangerous new ransomware strain

By Sead FadilpašićSeptember 21, 2023

  1. Using OCIO v2 in Serif Affinity
    1
    Photoshop rival’s free update is a game-changer for VFX and 3D artists
  2. 2
    iOS 17 review: Bringing iPhone people closer together
  3. 3
    The Nvidia RTX 5090 is rumored to be nearly twice as fast as RTX 4090, so we should just call it the Titan RTX at this point
  4. 4
    There's only one iPhone 15 series choice for true iPhone fans, and it's the one I bought
  5. 5
    The Nikon Zf has finally arrived – and it’s the retro mirrorless camera I’ve been waiting for
  1. Glen Powell in the movie Hit Man
    1
    Netflix's next big movie is a crime thriller with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes
  2. 2
    I tried all 6 new AirPods Pro 2 features and if you don’t update to iOS 17, you’re missing out
  3. 3
    I'm a photographer and will be skipping the iPhone 15 Pro Max – here's why
  4. 4
    The iPhone 15 Pro Max is reportedly a big hit for Apple, but it’s facing issues
  5. 5
    Windows 11 : la mise à jour de septembre fait des ravages, y compris chez les gamers

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.