1743

History channel Invicta invited me to share my thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s version of Knossos, the so-called “palace of Minos” on Crete.

Video and many words here: https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/videos/assassins-creed-odyssey-exploring-knossos/

1744

That was great, thanks! Like I mentioned upthread, the game inspired me to pick up Herodotus and Thucydides, so mission accomplished re: your closing remarks.

1745

That’s great to hear!

I’ve often said that games like this (and movies, graphic novels, etc.) are “gateway drugs” to further engagement with the past, so I’m happy that the game’s inspired you to go and read Thucydides and Herodotus. I always find Thucydides a bit dry, but Herodotus is exciting stuff. ;-)

1746

I was already 2/3 through the Persian Wars, but I’d put it down, so that was easy. I actually liked Thucydides but only got through a couple books before I had to return it to the library.

1747

Deep into the DLC at this point. Well I’m in Hades let’s put it that way. Love the game and admittedly smitten with Kassandra.

1748

As a followup to the video about Knossos, here’s one about ACO’s depiction of Mycenae (and some of the surrounding areas). It’s disappointing that the Bronze Age stuff in Odyssey isn’t up to snuff, but at least it gives me ample to talk and write about.

1749

Thanks, I enjoyed that! Thought you did a good job pointing out the issues (and giving background) without sounding like you were absolutely ragging on the game devs.

1750

Rumours suggest a little Ghost Recon in the upcoming Viking Creed. Optional 4 player coop, taking boats along waterways, hiding in snow and mud, as well as a bunch of more assassiny stuff.

If you google this,'ware spoilers.

1751

Just saw the next one is due this financial year, so maybe Q1 next year… which seems soon but cool :)

1752

75 hours of (mostly) enjoyment, finished the family plot, but the gorgon fight has me uninstalling. That fight is really everything I hate about boss fights in one tidy little package. Too long, too formulaic and patterned, and just generally annoying. Even on easy I died, so screw it, who needs a game making life more frustrating than it already is? I could probably get it if I was willing to replay it a few more times, but why on Earth would I bother?

1753

Hm, yeah, IIRC the gorgon fight was the worst boss fight. I liked the other monster fights, though.

Actually, now that I think of it, what I really liked was the atmosphere leading up to the monster fights, especially going into Minoan Crete after the Minotaur (even though the labyrinth was frustrating at points). I really think the setting was the star of the show for me overall.

1754

Yeah, I liked the other monster fights too, that’s part of the reason this one’s so distressing.

1755

I hate boss fights because they feel so contrived but I really didn’t find this all that hard - though it didn’t make me like boss fights any better. Avoid her beam, fire arrows and move it to melee when you get a chance. But overall, just play defensively and take your time and whittle her health away.

1756

This is my biggest problem, I can’t hit the broad side of a barn with a controller.

1757

You need to stand closer to the barn before you throw it.

1758

Now why didn’t I think of that?

1759

I did the boss fights on easy. I don’t mind hard fights but I hate giant health bars that make fights last forever. Maybe if the light/weather changed it would be more interesting.

1760

Playing as a dagger wielding character with high poison really emphasizes that problem. Took 20 minutes to whittle down some of the tougher, poison immune bosses.

1761

That’s the only one I did on easy. I did finally get past it on the third try.

I thought the other bossfights were OK, actually, much to my surprise. Worlds better than the snake fight in Origins, that’s for sure. I did hit all of them over-level by a few, however.

One of the (many) things I hate about most boss fights is how they can take builds that are viable and fun in the rest of the game and render them basically useless.

1762

Tell me about it. I played a Siren in Borderlands 2 and her main power (lifting an enemy where they were harmless and vulnerable) was absolutely useless against all of the big bad bosses in the game. I played with a foursome and I always felt pretty bad when we took on a major boss because of that.