Two Games Not Enough Time (Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey & Red Dead Redemption 2)

One of the downsides to getting older is that you (hopefully) increase your annual wealth but at the same time you increase your responsibilities and thus less time to spend on hobbies. That is the situation I am facing coming this fall with the release of two of the biggest game releases of 2018, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey & Rockstar Games Red Dead Redemption 2.

Gaming has been a hobby of mine for 35 years, from my youth with everything from The Legend of Zelda on the NES to World of Warcraft on the PC. For the vast majority of my time the three genres of games I have played are either RPG, Simulator and Sports games. These games are my escape where I can put myself into the game and lose myself for hours. It is the hours part that has been a noticeable issue over the years because the achievements I usually would strive to achieve are not present in the popular games today. I’ve never been into killing games or the battle royale style games that mostly are pay to win style games with nonstop micro-transactions that companies embrace today.  Even in RPG’s those micro-transactions have appeared but they are usually custom garbage used to entice twitch gamers to showcase on their channels. They are not needed to do anything in the game itself.

That brings us to these two upcoming titles this fall. Let’s break them both down and see what we get for these two major single player RPG style games.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (Release: October 5, 2018)

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Deluxe Edition ($79.99)

Charge into epic clashes between Sparta and Athens in big battles pitting 150 vs 150 soldiers against each other.

Find uncharted locations, uncover hidden treasures, or fight your way through entire fleets in naval battles.

Your decisions shape the world around you. Experience a living world that constantly reacts to your every decision.

Customize your gear and upgrade abilities on your path to become a Spartan hero.

From ancient rituals to famed statues, come face to face with Greece’s legendary figures and discover the true nature of mythological beasts like Medusa and the Minotaur.

Embark on your journey from humble beginnings to living legend as Kassandra or Alexios.

• Includes the Kronos Pack with one epic mount, an epic weapon, and five epic pieces of armor
• Herald of Dusk Pack includes one epic weapon and five epic pieces of armor
• Capricornus Naval Pack with a Crew Theme and Ship Design
• Does Not Include a Season Pass

 

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Gold Edition ($99.99)

Write your epic odyssey to become a legendary Spartan hero. Forge your path in a world on the brink of tearing itself apart. Influence how history unfolds in an ever-changing world shaped by your choices.

• EARLY ACCESS Get the game three days early
• LEGENDARY SPARTAN HERO – Embark on your journey from outcast to legendary Spartan hero.
• ANCIENT GREECE AWAITS – Explore an entire country full of unexpected encounters in untamed environments and bustling ancient cities.
• CHOOSE YOUR PATH – Your choices shape the world around you. Play in a living world that constantly reacts to your every decision.
• FIGHT EPIC BATTLES – Charge into epic clashes between Sparta and Athens in battles pitting 150v150 soldiers against each other.
• SAIL THE AEGEAN SEA – Recruit crew members and customize your ship as you explore and battle your way on the open seas.
• The Season Pass which includes all future downloadable content and THE SECRETS OF GREECE exclusive quest.

 

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Ultimate Edition ($119.99)

Write your epic odyssey to become a legendary Spartan hero. Forge your path in a world on the brink of tearing itself apart. Influence how history unfolds in an ever-changing world shaped by your choices.

• EARLY ACCESS + ALL-IN-ONE PACKAGE – Get the game three days early, receive powerful gear, and continue your odyssey with the Season Pass.
• LEGENDARY SPARTAN HERO – Embark on your journey from outcast to legendary Spartan hero.
• ANCIENT GREECE AWAITS – Explore an entire country full of unexpected encounters in untamed environments and bustling ancient cities.
• CHOOSE YOUR PATH – Your choices shape the world around you. Play in a living world that constantly reacts to your every decision.
• FIGHT EPIC BATTLES – Charge into epic clashes between Sparta and Athens in battles pitting 150v150 soldiers against each other.
• SAIL THE AEGEAN SEA – Recruit crew members and customize your ship as you explore and battle your way on the open seas.
• Includes the Kronos Pack with one epic mount, an epic weapon, and five epic pieces of armor
• Herald of Dusk Pack includes one epic weapon and five epic pieces of armor
• Capricornus Naval Pack with a Crew Theme and Ship Design
• The Season Pass which includes all future downloadable content and THE SECRETS OF GREECE exclusive quest.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 (Release: October 26, 2018)

Red Dead Redemption 2 will be available in two different versions offering a ton of extra in-game content and a Gamestop Collectors Box that is mostly just physical items for display outside the game.

The game is a prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption and after 2004’s Red Dead Revolver.  Taking place in America, 1899 the game gives the player the opportunity to experience the nation at end of the wild west era where lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed.

After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.

From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.

 

Red Dead Redemption 2: Special Edition  ($79.99)

The Red Dead Redemption 2: Special Edition delivers exclusive content for Story Mode including a Bank Robbery Mission and Gang Hideout, Dappled Black Thoroughbred, Talisman & Medallion Gameplay Bonuses, Gameplay Boosts, Cash Bonuses & Discounts, and the Nuevo Paraiso Gunslinger Outfit, plus free access to Additional Weapons.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition  ($99.99)

The Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition delivers all of the Story Mode content from the Special Edition plus additional bonuses for online.

Exclusive Story Mode content includes a Bank Robbery Mission and Gang Hideout, Dappled Black Thoroughbred, Talisman & Medallion Gameplay Bonuses, Gameplay Boosts, Cash Bonuses & Discounts, and the Nuevo Paraiso Gunslinger Outfit.

Online content includes Bonus Outfits for your online Character, Rank Bonuses, Black Chestnut Thoroughbred, free access to the Survivor Camp Theme and more.

Plus get free access to Additional Weapons in both Story Mode and online.

Also includes Exclusive Ultimate Edition Printed Map and Collectible SteelBook.

 

Red Dead Redemption 2: Collectors Box ($99.99) Game Not Included

The Red Dead Redemption 2: Collector’s Box features a curated assortment of outlaw essentials all packaged in a thick gauged metal tithing box. *Does not include game. Red Dead Redemption 2 sold separately.

 

• Metal Tithing Box with Lock & Key: Inspired by the lockbox used by the Van der Linde gang to stash contributions to the camp’s upkeep, this thick gauged metal box includes a lock & key, and features black metal band detailing and an engraved Cornwall Freight & Commodities plaque.
• Collectable Challenge Coin: Featuring the majestic American Buffalo on one side and a scenic landscape on the other side, this engraved, gold-colored collectable coin comes in a magnetic presentation holder with a black, engraved plaque describing the history of this endangered species.
• Double Sided Puzzle: This double-sided, 100-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle features an illustrated view of the bustling port of Saint Denis on one side, and a classically inspired Rockstar Games logo on the reverse.
• Six Shooter Bandana: A staple for any frontier outlaw, this bandana features a traditional paisley-inspired pattern with hidden weapon iconography throughout.
• Treasure Map: Printed on durable, unrippable paper, this exclusive treasure map reveals the location of some buried treasure that may start Arthur on a search for more riches hidden throughout the world of Red Dead Redemption 2.
• Pin Set: This set of six individual pins includes representations of key weapons from Red Dead Redemption 2 including a shotgun, revolver and Dead Eye “X” marker. The set comes in a canvas carrying bag.
• Playing Cards: Commemorate the outlaws of the Van der Linde gang with this fully illustrated deck of playing cards featuring key members of the gang including Arthur Morgan, John Marston, Javier Escuella, Bill Williamson and Dutch van der Linde.
• Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue: The one-stop shop for everything from weapons to clothing, the Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue is an essential shopping tool for turn of the century life. This complete 150-page book is a replica of the edition found in stores throughout Red Dead Redemption 2.
• 12 Cigarette Cards: These beautifully-illustrated collectable cards can be found throughout the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. This physical collection includes one select card from each set like Famous Gunslingers and Outlaws, Stars of the Stage and Marvels of Travel and Locomotion.