One Thing Assassin’s Creed Origin Points Out That No Other Video Game Has

Posted on March 24th by Eugene Aldridge.

**Spoiler Alert**

Assassin’s Creed Origin is a stunning video game that has brought the Assassin’s Creed series to incredible, new heights. The impressive visuals and engaging story helped bring to life the Egyptian historical period this game takes place in. But for a game about killing high position political figures, one topic I never expected to show up is how powerful religion can really be.  (When no one is trying to force it down your throat).

The video game’s hero, Bayek of Siwa, has a very strong connection to the religion of Egypt’s past. He is also a man who swore an oath to avenge his son by any means necessary. This oath sent him down a path of violence and turmoil. In the end, he was able to avenge his son, Khemu and this granted Khemu peace in the afterlife. But, Bayek still carried the burden of all the souls he took. 

Making Bayek such a religious man is a perfect mixture. An assassin who wishes for forgiveness seems absurd but redemption is one of the main reasons for religion. Without Bayek’s religion, there is no telling how the magnitude of his actions would affect him. Sadly, he has never been shown using the religious practices to forgive himself. But, in the new DLC, The Curse of the Pharaohs, Bayek being told he has been redeemed for his past sins was the best thing Ubisoft could do for this dynamic character. 

This new DLC isn’t just a message to Bayek, it is a message to us to forgive ourselves for whatever demons we face. The side missions Bayek took part in in the pharaohs’ afterlife gave him some insight into atonement. Because he committed these deeds in the name of truth and justice where justice fell short he was told that he was forgiven. 

Oracle: “These demons, the souls you take? They will not deny you passage. Be at peace. Your heart is heavy no more.”

This is not a directive to go kill people in the name of justice but the burdens you carry can be forgiven as long as you stay compassionate. Holding your sins over your head is unnecessary. Performing acts of kindness out of the goodness of your heart and knowing the error of your ways means absolution is not lost.

This may be about a fictional character but art imitates life. The writers had to get these principles from somewhere. Since Ubisoft decided to include the significance of the power of forgiveness into the game that must mean they wanted us to learn from it.

If you’re going through something and you wish that one day you can be forgiven then continue to fight for what you believe is right. One day, you will be able to forgive yourself. If you believe in the afterlife, the deciding factor for your eternal happiness will see your charitable actions and grant you the peace you deserve. Even if you don’t believe, you should know that in the worst of storms, the sun will always shine through in the end.

You can catch Eugene Aldridge furiously writing about something at 3 am. If you want to see him cry play the song, Simple and Clean. For some reason, he loves palm trees. Check out his articles on MuckRack.