Even though it will release just shy of a year after Assassin’s Creed Origins, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is shaping up to be the biggest world in the series. Game Director Jonathan Dumont confirmed this during his recent AMA on Reddit. He answered a whole host of fan questions about nudity, cats, the modern day parts, and more.
During the AMA, Reddit user protectbabysif asked Dumont if the modern day gameplay would be optional. While Ubisoft has stated that players will continue Layla’s story, some other interviews have sent mixed messages. Dumont cleared up the confusion.
“Modern day is not optional,” he said. “Everyone will experience modern day in their playthroughs and because of the narrative choices players can make in the game, there will be opportunities to experience more present day for players who want to.”
Dumont also delved slightly deeper into the game’s new romance options. Players will have opportunities to seduce different characters and can choose to split ways from them at any time. There will be romance scenes but “lovers [will] keep their clothes on.”
The AMA was peppered with other tiny details as well. To suit its dual protagonists, the physical version of the game will have a reversible cover, much like Mass Effect 3. Despite the branching dialogue system, Kassandra and Alexios will also have canon versions in the novel coming out alongside the game on October 5th. Dumont also stated the story will also change depending on these decisions but he wants players to “experience that for themselves.”
Gameplay-wise, Dumont talked about the ship combat, parkour tombs, and ability to summon assassins. Parkour tombs were a popular addition in Assassin’s Creed 2 and will return in Odyssey. The ability to call for allies from Brotherhood is also making a comeback through a skill called Call to Arms which “sends your recruits to distract and fight NPCs.”
The naval gameplay is also taking inspiration from other games in the series. Ship combat will differ from Black Flag by have a more “accessible and arcade approach, focusing on the immediate fun.” Although despite this arcadey feel, Dumont says they’ll stay true to history where they can.
“We are true to the era, so no cannon but we have arrows, javelins and more emphasis on cleaving and ramming,” explained Dumont. “Nothing better than cleave a ship in half to see her crew devoured by sharks! But of course there is also a progression and recruitable crew for players that want to go deeper.”
And, most importantly, Dumont confirmed that cats will not be in the game. However, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey will have “big cats” to satisfy your feline quota.
