Microsoft revealed a brand new cinematic trailer for Assassin’s Creed Origins at their Gamescom 2017 press conference. While the term to keep in mind here is “cinematic,” the trailer, which plays out to Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker,” is mysterious and packed with combat.
The trailer focuses on the troubles brewing in ancient Egypt but takes its own sweet time to set up an exposition. We see a noble personage preparing for a visit amidst shots of the bygone practices that distinguish the game’s new setting. In keeping with tradition, we also see few noted historical characters from the era, including Cleopatra as she plans her moves, and Caesar as his army marches into the lands. Unrest builds in all possible corners to finally culminate in war.
Later, we see Bayek and his pet eagle in action. The action sequence, which looks fantastic, feels like a relief after all that mystery. As the game’s main character kills the visiting personage, his avian companion deftly tackles a cobra lurking in the sands. It is a shame that none of this is in-game. The aim of the trailer, however, is to set the mood for a darker game, and we are in.
Fans had got their first look at Assassin’s Creed Origins at E3 2017 with both cinematic and gameplay reveals. By that time, however, much about the upcoming game had already been revealed, thanks to the ceaseless number of leaks. Ubisoft’s decision to call the game Origins and take it to ancient Egypt was thus unsurprising. It had also been predicted (and since confirmed) that waterways would play an important part in navigation, and there would be crocodiles to fight.
Assassin’s Creed Origins is coming after a year-long break in the franchise, which, according to the creators, was necessary to introduce a freshness that had been lacking in a while. It will release on October 27 for the PS4, PC, and Xbox One. It will also support Xbox One X once the new console releases in November.