Alongside Forza Motorsport 7, this was the other game that was used to first show off the Xbox One X. Since then, I have been truly hyped. It's only dynamic 4K on the Xbox One X but I don't care because it still looks stunning.

Though Assassin's Creed has experimented with tower defense, grappling hooks, and naval combat over the years, it isn't always quick to evolve. Changes to mission design, combat, and exploration are staggered across separate entries, which dulls the impact of any one change.

Assassin's Creed Origins is a dark, multifaceted, deep dive into one of the series' most alluring settings yet: ancient Egypt. As Bayek of Siwa, who is simultaneously compassionate, bold, and driven by revenge, you're strung through a twisted story of pharaohs and corrupt leaders, of love gained and...

Assassin's Creed returns and its vast and evocative Egypt inspires wonder - even if much in the game remains familiar.

It’s abundantly clear that Origins has taken inspiration from many other modern games. The increasingly trendy combat system looks to be adopted from the likes of Dark Souls and The Witcher 3, the crafting reminiscent of Ubisoft’s own Far Cry franchise and the new scouting ability, courtesy of your trusty eagle companion Senu, is essentially an adaptation of Watchdogs' drone spying. There’s nothing at all wrong with blending together a compendium of techniques from previous games – it’s expected, in fact. The problem with Origins, though, is it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. Despite being set in Ancient Egypt and being a massive upgrade on previous AC titles, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen and done everything here before. But while it doesn’t quite meet the lofty open-world expectations set by the likes of Horizon Zero Dawn and Breath of the Wild, it’s still up there as one of the best Assassin's Creed games to date. Sure, some loyal Creed fans may feel disgruntled by the departure from stealth, but the improved combat and enthralling Egypt setting are both signs that the series has finally found its footing again.

Egypt is rich in detail and content; Combat has drastically improved; A deep RPG system and addictive looting;

Few unique selling points; Boring characters and an unmemorable story;

After 2 long years of waiting, we finally have a new Assassin's Creed title. After the shambles that was Unity and the saving grace of Syndicate, Ubisoft decided to take a year off from AC and concentrate on the better-than-the-first-but-still-underwhelming Watch Dogs 2.

Looking for help? Check out our beginner's tips and tricks or our location guides for Assassin's Creed Origins. Last year, unthinkable news was delivered: after an annual release schedule stretching back to 2009, Assassin's Creed would not be seeing an entry in 2016 .

The year off, the team that created Black Flag and a bold new vision for Assassin's Creed has paid off. For me, it's a Game of the Year and a signal that we could be up for a bright new future for Assassin's Creed!

Top notch game. Totally different approach to the (getting) stale series... the black flag team have pulled a blinder. Visuals are amazing even in original xbox one. Has to be seen to be believed

Assassin's Creed taking a year off and coming back with the Egyptian setting in Origins is like your Mum going to a spa retreat in Egypt. She's going to get a mani-pedi, get a volcanic mud face mask with a couple of those thin slices of cucumber over her eyes, and she's going to come back refreshed,...