Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

game

2018, Adventure

WISE
52%

WISE Score

60%

IGDB

Ancient Greece meets open-world stabbing simulator—historically rich, graphically stunning, and absolutely not for kids.

Where to Play

PlayStation
PlayStation
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
Xbox
Xbox
Screenwise Verdict

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a gorgeous, sprawling historical epic that's also a violent, time-devouring beast. The Ancient Greece setting is legitimately educational—kids who play this will know more about the Peloponnesian War than most adults. The problem is they'll learn it while stabbing hundreds of people and watching explicit romance scenes.

The game is well-made and the IGDB score of 60 is honestly lower than I'd expect—it's a solid open-world RPG. But it's long. Like, really long. The kind of long where you look up and three months have passed. For adults or college students with time to burn, it's a fun historical romp. For high schoolers, it's a potential GPA killer.

If your 17-year-old is begging for it and you're okay with mature content, it's not the worst choice—at least they're learning about Socrates while they're gaming. But don't kid yourself that this is educational software. It's an M-rated action game with a history coat of paint.

Age Fit

This is firmly in 17+ territory due to graphic violence, sexual content, and mature themes. The M rating exists for a reason. Younger teens will be drawn to it because it looks cool, but the content is genuinely adult. If you have a mature 16-year-old who loves history and you've had conversations about violence in media, maybe. But 13-year-olds? No.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
35

Set in Ancient Greece with historical fiction elements, but the core gameplay revolves around assassination, combat, and morally ambiguous choices. Players take contracts to kill targets, engage in brutal melee combat, and navigate a world where violence is the primary problem-solving mechanism. The game includes romance options with explicit scenes, alcohol consumption, and a generally mature tone. Not emotionally healthy modeling for younger audiences.

Imaginative
78

Stunning recreation of Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War with massive open-world exploration across islands, cities, and mythological locations. Players can choose their own path through a branching narrative, customize their character's abilities and equipment, command a ship, and encounter Greek mythology brought to life. The historical setting mixed with mythological elements creates genuine curiosity about ancient civilizations. Strong world-building and player agency in how to approach missions.

Safe
42

Mature content throughout: graphic combat violence with blood, assassination mechanics requiring stealth kills, sexual content including nudity in romance scenes, alcohol use, and strong language. The game depicts slavery, war atrocities, and morally complex situations without guardrails. Online interactions possible but limited. No predatory monetization in the base game (users interact but no loot boxes listed), though the Deluxe Edition includes XP boosts which hint at grind mechanics. The IGDB rating of 60/100 is notably low, suggesting mixed reception. Definitely not appropriate for younger players to encounter unexpectedly.

Enriching
65

Offers substantial historical education about Ancient Greece, the Peloponnesian War, famous philosophers like Socrates, and Greek mythology. The Discovery Tour mode (if included) allows educational exploration without combat. Players develop strategic thinking, resource management, and narrative decision-making skills. However, the historical accuracy is heavily fictionalized and romanticized. The sheer length (80-100+ hours for full completion) can teach persistence but also risks becoming a time sink. Ethical complexity in choices can prompt reflection, but violence as the primary mechanic limits growth potential.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Breathtaking recreation of Ancient Greece with hundreds of hours of exploration across a massive Mediterranean world
  • Genuine historical immersion with famous figures like Socrates, Pericles, and Herodotus woven into the narrative
  • Player choice matters—dialogue options, romance paths, and major story decisions that branch the narrative
  • Greek mythology comes alive with Minotaurs, Medusa, and other legendary creatures as actual boss fights
  • Strategic combat system rewards planning and skill development rather than button-mashing
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What to Watch For

  • Graphic violence throughout—assassination animations, blood, dismemberment, and brutal combat are core mechanics
  • Sexual content including nudity and romance scenes that are more explicit than previous AC games
  • Massive time sink—completing everything can easily exceed 100 hours, which is a huge chunk of a teen's life
  • The grind is real—XP boosts in the Deluxe Edition hint at intentionally slow progression to encourage spending
  • Morally ambiguous content with slavery, war crimes, and ethically complex choices without clear guidance

Conversation Starters

  • "What surprised you most about what Ancient Greece was actually like compared to what you learned in school?"
  • "When you had to choose between helping Athens or Sparta, how did you decide? What made that choice hard?"
  • "The game shows slavery as normal in Ancient Greece—how do you think about historical accuracy vs. making a game that's fun to play?"
  • "You've spent 40 hours on this game—what else could you have learned or done with that time? Was this worth it?"

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