The Curse of the Pharaohs is a DLC expansion for the popular video game, Assassin's Creed Origins. It introduces a new narrative that takes place after the events of the main game and explores the mysteries of ancient Egypt's pharaohs and the curses that surround them. In this expansion, players take on the role of Bayek, the main protagonist of the game, as he continues his journey in the afterlife realm known as the "Duat." Here he encounters a new threat in the form of cursed pharaohs who have come back to life and are wreaking havoc on both the living and the dead. The main objective of the Curse of the Pharaohs expansion is to defeat the pharaohs and restore balance to the afterlife. Players must investigate the causes of their return, uncover their motivations, and ultimately put an end to their reign of terror.
This feature was originally published on February 28, 2018. You can read more about Assassin’s Creed Origins here.
The Curse of the Pharaohs sees Bayek going up against four ancient pharaohs who have risen from their graves and are wreaking havoc everywhere, and to beat them, the assassin has to travel to different plains of the afterlife. Some of the more unearthly locations you visit are absolutely splendid to behold, and exploring them becomes an instant joy, simply to discover what vistas lie ahead if nothing else though make no mistake- there s no shortage of side activities to indulge in either.
Players must investigate the causes of their return, uncover their motivations, and ultimately put an end to their reign of terror. Along the way, they will explore new locations, meet new characters, and uncover new mysteries. What sets the Curse of the Pharaohs apart from the main game is its focus on Egyptian mythology and the supernatural.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins The Curse of the Pharaohs somehow makes giant scorpions boring
I have long thought of the Assassin’s Creed series like fast food. Ubisoft Montreal tried to change that with Assassin’s Creed Origins by evolving the series’ tired gameplay loop with additions largely lifted from games like The Witcher 3 and Far Cry 3. But I am still mostly engaged with tasks which offer short-term satisfaction – filling progress bars, hoovering up treasures, and other quick fixes. It is comforting and pleasurable, certainly, but I cannot escape the feeling that I should probably be playing something else.
I feel precisely the same way about the action-RPG’s latest DLC, The Curse of the Pharaohs, after spending two hours with it. It sees Bayek off to Thebes and the Valley of the Kings to unravel more ancient Egyptian mysteries. Leisurely as that sounds, it soon turns rotten, as pharaohs start rising from their resting places, and it is up to Bayek to kill ‘em dead all over again.
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At severals points in my time with this DLC, a notification warns me that one of these mischievous mummies has risen from its sarcophagus to terrorise the living. In gameplay terms, this is the only new thing about The Curse of the Pharaohs that I can detect. I am unsure what you get for dispatching one of these threats as, er, I did not successfully do so once. Before I could deliver the finishing blow, each grumpy mummy returned to the afterlife, either terrified or bored of me. I hope it was the former.
It is a shame that my time in Thebes is broken up by these mythical invasions as it is a beautiful place. I weave through a labyrinth of darkened side streets that, now and again, make way for bright and colourful plazas, meeting places flecked with patches of flora. After climbing a large wall – my parkour skills could use a warm up – I emerge in the grounds of a stupendous area of Luxor. Vibrant flags adorn towering pillars on the pathway to the main entrance. Vast statues glance down at me from above. Looking up open-mouthed at the size of this wonderfully recreated structure, I do what any respectable Assassin would: scramble to its summit and synchronise.
Assassin’s Creed: The Curse of the Pharaohs looks as good as you would expect. However, it is when I begin the main missions that my initial awe abates. In my search for the thief of a rare artefact that awoke the monstrosities, I need to speak to some decidedly shifty traders in a bazaar. The bright yellow ‘Investigation Area’ emblazoned at the top of the screen informs me that I need to get chatting. The man I am pointed towards then ambushes me with his personal thugs. Clearly, Thebes’ merchants have not heard of me.
As I fight off my assailants, I recall a very similar mission I encountered in the main game. Side missions, again, are mostly NPCs pointing you towards a bandit camp or some such, with a thin mini-narrative to contextualise it. I would be switching off if it were not for the quest’s lovely name, No Honour Amongst Thebes.
In hopes of finding something more interesting, I follow the main mission again, which drags me further away to Thebes’ outskirts. Once across a large river I scale the hill to Set-Ma’at that allows me to overlook the city. Fortuitously, it is sunset, the ancient Egyptian sun bathing my previous location in a lurid pink – a wonderful view. It is at this point that I realise The Curse of the Pharaohs’ qualities are mostly confined to its surfaces: its gameplay is by no means as engaging as the atmosphere the world evokes.
Later, though, Ancient Egypt takes things up a notch. Tucked away in the Valley of the Kings, I find the entrance to one of the oddest, but most enthralling locations I have seen in a videogame: Sekhet-Aaru. Thebes and its outskirts are one thing, but these Egyptian reed fields stop me dead in my tracks – well, perhaps that is a poor choice of words. Sekhet-Aaru is the afterlife in the Egyptian pantheon, a heavenly, Osiris-controlled reality in which human souls can exist pleasurably for eternity. The problem is in the game’s version of this location things have gone a bit wrong here, too. Horse-sized scorpions roam, waiting patiently for their prey – me – in the bright yellow reeds. Demons ride gargantuan galleons across dry land. It is a destination with a namesake that makes it worthy of being memorable.
Not only do your objectives fail to do this world, pulled from myth and history, justice, but they are also painfully dull. In the centre of Aaru is a temple where I must summon Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of the pharaoh, Akhenaten. Before I can get to her I have some surly priests to get past. Spoiled wine is contained in barrels along a snake-infested tunnel, they tell me, and so I need to destroy it before I can proceed with my mission. I smash them and return to the priests. Then I am to set some impure food ablaze aboard one of the physics-defying ships, and return to the priests again. This padding manages a quite spectacular feat: it makes massive scorpions and mythical ships boring.
If you are a die-hard Assassin’s Creed fan who lapped up the evolutions to the formula Origins delivered, The Curse of the Pharaohs is for you. For everyone else, it is entirely missable. Its world is beautiful and rich with history but when you really get down to it it is little more than extra progress bars and treasures to collect. If watching numbers tick upwards does not do it for you then all you will be left with is a tiresome slog through an attractive new slice of Ancient Egypt. Fast food is nice, certainly, but only when you don’t have too much of it.
Are you continuing your Assassin’s Creed Origins adventure with The Curse of the Pharaohs? Let us know in the comments below.
This feature was originally published on February 28, 2018. You can read more about Assassin’s Creed Origins here.
"CD Projekt RED did it a couple years back with The Witcher 3’s Blood and Wine DLC, and Ubisoft have done it now with The Curse of the Pharaohs."
Players will encounter mythical creatures such as giant scorpions, mummies, and even Anubis himself. These encounters offer a fresh and unique gameplay experience, combining both stealth and combat. The narrative of the Curse of the Pharaohs expansion is captivating and immersive, delving deeper into the rich history and mythology of ancient Egypt. It adds a new layer of depth to the overall story of Assassin's Creed Origins and provides players with hours of additional gameplay. Overall, the Curse of the Pharaohs expansion is a must-play for fans of Assassin's Creed Origins. It offers a unique and engaging narrative that expands on the world and mythology of the base game. With its intriguing story, challenging gameplay, and stunning visuals, it is a worthy addition to the Assassin's Creed franchise..
Reviews for "Mythical creatures and gods in AC Origins Curse of the Pharaohs narrative"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the "Curse of the Pharaohs" DLC for Assassin's Creed Origins. The narrative felt convoluted and disjointed, with the story jumping from one random event to another without any clear purpose. It seemed like the developers were just trying to incorporate as many Egyptian mythological elements as possible, without giving any depth or substance to the characters or their motivations. Overall, I found the narrative to be unengaging and it didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Alex - 1 star
I can't believe how poorly constructed the narrative in "Curse of the Pharaohs" was. It felt like a jumbled mess of ideas that didn't flow cohesively. The story lacked clear direction and failed to create any emotional connection with the characters. The plot twists and turns felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to stay engaged or invested in the outcome. I was left feeling unsatisfied and bored throughout the entire DLC, and it ended up being a major disappointment.
3. Ryan - 2 stars
The narrative in "Curse of the Pharaohs" felt like a missed opportunity. While I enjoyed exploring the ancient Egyptian setting and the addition of supernatural elements, the plot itself was lackluster. The pacing was off, with long stretches of slow progress followed by rushed and confusing sequences. The characters, while visually impressive, lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their individual stories. Overall, I found the narrative to be underwhelming and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
4. Jessica - 3 stars
I found the narrative in "Curse of the Pharaohs" to be average at best. It had its moments of intrigue and excitement, but overall, it failed to captivate me. The story felt predictable, with cliché plot twists and a lack of real surprises. The writing was also subpar, with cheesy dialogue and flat character interactions. While the DLC did offer some enjoyable gameplay elements and stunning visuals, the narrative itself left much to be desired.