Discovering the Sinai region.
Last October Assassin's Creed Origins pleasantly surprised us. Find the review here, if you missed it (If you haven't ordered it yet, you can do it at the best price guaranteed on Amazon at this address). Who expected that Ubisoft could, with a masterstroke, resurrect a saga that everyone now gave up for dead? But in spite of the owls and unfounded complaints, the software house proposed us a fresh, long-lived and truly profound title. As he hadn't realized for a long time. Especially within the Assassin franchise.
- Guide to the Statues of Ptolemy and the hidden Hermitages
- Tips and tricks to start playing
- Alternative guide to Assassin's Creed Origins
This article has been edited by those who have now gutted not only the base game with a lot of platinum (on PlayStation 4) but also the first DLC released by Ubisoft as an expansion: The Hidden Ones. The Occults. Does the title tell you anything? It should, if you have carefully played the last installment in the series Assassin's Creed. Let's do some refresher? Anyone who has not yet played the basic version is strongly encouraged to do not read the DLC review before completing the main storyline adventure, and most of the side missions if you can.
Between East and West
The exhilarating finale of Assassin's Creed Origins ended with the foundation of the Occults, or the first sect of assassins in history. A sort of prototype for what will later be the real one Brotherhood, in Masyaf. Bayek and Aya managed to avenge the death of their son Kemu, killing all members of theOrder 
of the Ancients (in turn, proto-sect of the Templars).
During the last stages of the game set in Rome, we learn that Aya has never returned to Egypt: instead he threw the Latin city into chaos, favoring the killing of Caesar. This event had repercussions not only in the West, but also in the East: commander Rufio in fact he has not decided to put his arms in the Sinai peninsula, but wants to submit it completely to his will, in the name of the imperium. And it will therefore become our main enemy.
Called for help by her friend Tahira (we met her on a couple of side missions of Assassin's Creed Origins), Bayek leaves for the Sinai to once again save the situation. From the conclusion of the main plot, four years pass before the start of that of The Hidden Ones DLC.
Even more Origins
The formula behind The Hidden Ones is the following: the more, the better. Basically, in fact, none of the mechanics already seen in the basic version of the title have been changed, updated or enhanced. It is simply a few hours of extra gameplay for Assassin's Creed Origins, for those who, after a few months, still want to venture into the sands of Egypt, even in the Sinai peninsula. Basically it's okay like this: a DLC it is the extension of a proven formula.
But to justify the ticket price, The Hidden Ones does not completely give up introducing some small, fearful ones breath of fresh air. For example in gaming environments: this time the oscillation between desert areas, inhabited centers and lush oases is much more pronounced than in regions that well 
we know about Egypt. Sinai is a predominantly mountainous area: this has allowed the developers, within certain limits, to develop the upward perspective, favoring climbing and hiding places on very high peaks.
Also the general difficulty of the DLC tends towards the top, since it is assumed that the player has already completed the basic version of the title and is therefore at least al level 40. As a result, the enemies will have very high levels and we ourselves will be able to increase ours level cap from 40 to 45 to further enhance us. Especially by setting the difficulty to the maximum, The Hidden Ones is able to offer a pretty good challenge to players.
The approach also becomes more studied, calculated, stealthy. Impossible to enter the fray with drawn swords: Rufio's generals are shrewd, and the level design favors a more Assassin's Creed type of action. After all, we "live in the shadows" to serve the light. There is little point in showing up right away and throwing swords in the middle of the street to attract unwanted attention. Speaking of swords, The Hidden Ones expands the game's inventory with a number of new weapons, mounts and side missions.
Final judgement
Maybe it costs a little, but The Hidden Ones is a great DLC for a game that is almost excellent in itself. The level of challenge is interesting, the more thoughtful approach (the original one of the franchise) and there are several things to unlock. Going back to following Bayek's exploits against a new enemy is pleasant: even if it is clearly a mere addition, and the bulk of the narrative we left behind along with Aya.
