10 Shocking Discoveries in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey That Changed How We Play

Fans of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey often look back at this ambitious RPG as a groundbreaking title that redefined open-world storytelling and RPG mechanics in the series. Released in 2018, Odyssey wasn’t just another entry—it introduced shocking, world-transforming discoveries that deepened immersion, expanded player choice, and reimagined historical fantasy. Here are the 10 most shocking and impactful revelations that reshaped how we play and reshaped expectations for open-world RPGs.


Understanding the Context

1. The Discovery of the Hidden Spartan Legacy

Long thought to be purely mythological, Odyssey shattered expectations by introducing players to a hidden Spartan heritage within Greece’s ancient world. Through secret dungeons, cryptic dialogues, and gameplay that mirrors Spartan combat training, the game quietly revealed that the legendary Spartans were aided by a forgotten lineage of Assassins—blending history, myth, and player-driven identity in a groundbreaking way.

Impact: This twist deepened narrative authenticity and gave players a personal stake in a lesser-known chapter of Greek history, setting a new bar for lore integration.


Key Insights

2. The Real Cost of Assassin’s Blood: A More Meaningful System

While Odyssey featured Assassin’s Blood system early on, it wasn’t until its deeper mechanics were unlocked that its true power revealed itself—the True Blood system dynamically influenced character relationships, combat effectiveness, and even story outcomes. The more assassinations you completed, the more your Blood reached “cinematic” levels, enabling powerful abilities and narrative branches.

Impact: Players suddenly had tangible stakes in their lethal choices, turning moral decisions into gameplay consequences like never before.


3. The Forgotten Temple of the Erinyes

Final Thoughts

Deep beneath Greece lies a hidden Temple of the Erinyes—deities of vengeance—unveiling a lost religious dimension within the mythic world. Exploring its cryptic halls didn’t just showcase stunning environments but also unlocked unique, deity-themed abilities tied to mythic justice and retribution.

Impact: This discovery expanded the game’s spiritual and mythological layers, offering players new combat styles and narrative depth rooted in ancient Greek religion.


4. The Identity of the “Golden Goddess” Phaedra

Central to Odyssey’s plot is the enigmatic Phaedra, whose true identity as a deified ruler afflicted with divine madness shook the game’s main narrative. Her hidden realm revealed shocking details about forgotten dynastic power, alien forces, and the blending of mortal and divine, reshaping the player’s understanding of the overworld’s politics.

Impact: Phaedra’s arc turned into one of the most emotionally compelling storylines, proving that mythic figures can deliver layered, character-driven narratives.


5. The Ancient Spartan Phalanx and Historical Combat Mechanics

Odyssey introduced hyper-realistic combat grounded in historical Spartan phalanx tactics—using shield walls, coordinated strikes, and positioning to dominate battlefields. This wasn’t flashy, but it changed gameplay by rewarding strategic thinking over brute-force.

Impact: Players now engaged combat as a tactical puzzle, transforming open-world skirmishes from random encounters into meaningful, skill-based engagements.