Red Dead Redemption 2 vs. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Which Is Better?
Gameplay
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Red Dead Redemption 2 might both be open world games, but their gameplay couldn’t be more different. While one very much feels like a conventional video game power fantasy, the other is an immersive, deliberate, and hyper-realistic experience. If you’ve played both, you’ll certainly know exactly which is which, but let’s break it down in more detail.
There’s no doubt that with Odyssey, the Assassin’s Creed franchise is now a full-fat RPG. Where Origins felt like a halfway house, Odyssey dials up the focus on progression, branching narrative, and role-play. But in terms of how the game actually handles in combat and traversal, it’s really more of the same. The combat continues as a Souls-like action-RPG, though with more special abilities in the mix; traversal is typical Assassin’s Creed parkour, and features that have become hallmarks of the series, such as naval combat, also return with added depth.
Essentially, Odyssey adds new layers on top of Origins without ever really changing anything too dramatically.
What’s more, it actually feels familiar beyond just its lineage with its predecessor. Mechanics have quite obviously been lifted from many other games and peppered into its dynamic, too. From the Witcher 3-like question marks and the general beat of story-driven side quests to the conquest mechanics that have been brought over from Far Cry 5.
Red Dead Redemption 2, on the other hand, is a dramatic shift in pace from Rockstar’s last title, GTA V. Even in comparison to its 2010 predecessor, this prequel alters the composition of its design in such a way that it feels much more than just Red Dead Redemption with herbs and spices.
Between the layers upon layers of survival mechanics, the dynamic mission structure, and role-playing and customization options, it’s a game that wants to be played slowly. It’s incredibly immersive –sometimes overwhelmingly so. There’s just so much to see and do and keep an eye on.
Honestly, because of how different they are, it’s hard to compare these two titles side by side. In terms of raw “fun,” as well as which actually handles better in combat and interacting with the map, a case could certainly be made for Odyssey. It’s very video-gamey –easy to understand, jump into, and be entertained by.
The enjoyment of Red Dead stems from the extent to which you can really immerse yourself in its environment. This is cowboy role-play like no other, and with a diversity of missions and gameplay that constantly blindsides you and takes your breath away. It’s bold, inventive, and very next generation — but Red Dead Redemption 2 won’t be for everyone.
As for content? Both open worlds pack an almost absurd amount of exploration, side quests, and activities off the beaten path of their main campaigns. However, with the sheer depth of survival systems and the astonishing level of detail that makes its sandbox feel like a living, breathing place, Red Dead Redemption 2 is certainly comprised of more substance than Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Winner: Tie
