Zero Punctuation Season 12 Episode 41 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey

Zero Punctuation is a weekly web series hosted by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw that is known for its fast-paced, humorous reviews of video games. In season 12 episode 41, Yahtzee takes on Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, the latest entry in the popular action-adventure franchise.

The episode begins with Yahtzee outlining the basic premise of the game, which is set in ancient Greece and puts players in the shoes of either Alexios or Kassandra, two siblings who are embroiled in a power struggle between Athens and Sparta. Yahtzee notes that while the series has always had a historical bent, Odyssey takes things to a whole new level, with a massive open world that is teeming with quests, side activities, and historical figures.

One of the standout features of Odyssey, according to Yahtzee, is the new dialogue system. Unlike previous games in the series, players now have the ability to choose what their character says in conversations with non-playable characters (NPCs). Yahtzee notes that this adds a new layer of role-playing to the game, but also comes with some drawbacks. For one, the dialogue options tend to be fairly binary, with one choice being the "good" option and the other being the "bad" option. Additionally, the dialogue can sometimes be repetitive, with certain characters having only a few lines of dialogue that they repeat over and over again.

Another major feature of Odyssey is the naval combat. Players can sail their ship around the Aegean Sea, engaging in naval battles with other ships and exploring various islands. Yahtzee notes that the naval combat is a bit hit or miss; while it can be exciting and satisfying, it can also be frustrating and tedious. He also points out that the game seems to give players conflicting messages about whether they should be focusing on naval combat or on land-based activities.

When it comes to the main story of Odyssey, Yahtzee notes that it is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, the game's story is well-written and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep players interested. On the other hand, the story is also full of padding, forcing players to complete a seemingly endless parade of side quests in order to progress. Yahtzee compares the game's quest structure to a "Chinese buffet," where there are so many options that it can be overwhelming.

Overall, Yahtzee concludes that Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is a solid entry in the series, with plenty of content to keep players busy. However, he notes that the game can be overwhelming at times, and that some of its features (such as the dialogue system and the naval combat) are a bit hit or miss. Despite these drawbacks, Yahtzee recommends the game to fans of the series and to those who enjoy open world games in general.