The Hidden Ones is an extension of Assassin’s Creed Origins in every way possible. It’s more of the same, and that’s really a good thing. From its map to its quest design to the story it tells, there is a pervading sense of familiarity in the entire experience- but it uses that familiarity to its strengths quite impressively. The Hidden Ones takes place four years after Origins’ story ends, chronicling the outset years of Bayek and Aya’s fledgeling Assassins Brotherhood, which, for now, is calling itself the Hidden Ones. The DLC takes us to the region of Sinai, a completely new area that has been added to the game’s already massive map.

"From its map to its quest design to the story it tells, there is a pervading sense of familiarity in the entire experience- but it uses that familiarity to its strengths quite impressively."

Sinai isn’t very different from the areas you’ve already been to in Origins, but it is still very well designed, and is an absolute joy to explore and traverse. It’s got caves inhabiting dangerous and untamed beasts, it’s got forts, it’s got mountains and dceserts, it’s got a bustling urban settlement, it’s got sky-high vantage points to scale- basically everything Origins already had, but more of it. And just as it was in Origins itself, a few of the locations you visit are immensely memorable. For instance, one particular fort in the map is probably the largest fort in the entire game, large enough to be larger than a small city, and it’s an area that is teeming with enemies and collectibles and treasures. It has to be one of my favourite locations not just in this DLC, but in all of Assassin’s Creed Origins. Then there are some neat looking landmarks, like an obelisk, or a pyramid that is being deconstructed.

The rest of the game has also received similar additions. The level cap has been raised from 40 to 45, there’s better gear and loot for players to collect, there are more papyrus scrolls to collect, more camps and fortresses to raid, more vantage points to sync with, and even more phylakes to hunt down – or hide from – and kill (though here they’re called Shadows of the Scarab). The main quest that The Hidden Ones focuses on is a blast, sending you to all sorts of locations across the map and featuring missions and quests that have a refreshing amount of variety in terms of how they are designed.

"The main quest that The Hidden Ones focuses on is a blast, sending you to all sorts of locations across the map and featuring missions and quests that have a refreshing amount of variety in terms of how they are designed. "

The new main quest will take you around three hours to finish, but once you’re done with that, there’s still plenty more to do. In addition to the bevy of optional activities littering the map that I’ve already mentioned, The Hidden Ones also includes plenty of side quests, and it’s a pleasure to see just how well built they are. Side quests were, surprisingly enough, one of Origins’ biggest strengths (though a few of them were admittedly laughably bad), and the same is true here in The Hidden Ones as well. From travelling through crypts to hunting down hyenas, side quest design in The Hidden Ones is quite varied, and pretty well contextualized too.

The Hidden Ones is as enjoyable as it is for a number of reasons, and beyond the strong map design and the fluid and fast traversal that is inherent to the entire Assassin’s Creed series, the chief reason for that is the amount of challenge it provides. The Hidden Ones isn’t maddeningly tough by any means – Dark Souls this is not – but it’s a fairly challenging experience nonetheless. The enemies that litter the map and the restricted areas are of the higher level varieties more often than they have ever been, while there’s also just a lot more of them occupying the map. There were times in my playthrough when I found myself overrun by swarms of Roman soldiers, and after not being able to find a way through, found myself staring at the Desynchronization screen.

"Side quests were, surprisingly enough, one of Origins’ biggest strengths, and the same is true here in The Hidden Ones as well."

Just as The Hidden Ones benefits from the same strengths as Assassin’s Creed Origins itself, though, so to does it suffer from the same shortcomings that plagued the game. Chief among these are its technical issues. There are still instances of sudden texture pop ins and jerky animations for NPCs, as well as some fairly noticeable glitches, such as Bayek’s feet or hands disappearing into the game’s geometry every now and then while climbing or sprinting. There were also a couple of occasions during my playthrough when the frame rate stuttered quite badly, and weirdly enough, there didn’t seem to be anything happening on the screen that might be considered too taxing for the system. Voice acting and cutscenes also remain a weak point for The Hidden Ones, just as they were in the game- the delivery is laughably bland for almost all characters other than Bayek and Aya, and the fact that the writing itself often feels stilted does the affair no favours either.

There will surely be some people who will be disappointed by The Hidden Ones’ lack of ambition. If you’re looking for something bold and new, in vein of other Assassin’s Creed DLCs in the past, you will no doubt be disappointed by what you found here. But Assassin’s Creed Origins was a solid, thoroughly entertaining experience, and if you have no issues with a DLC that takes the base game’s many strengths and continues to use them in excellent ways, you’ll find The Hidden Ones to be a very enjoyable add on.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 4.

Assassin’s Creed Origins has some more hardcore parkour in store for players when The Hidden Ones expansion launches on January 23. Thanks to a Ubisoft Q&A we now know a lot more about what to expect in the expansion, taking place in the Sinai, a mountainous region which is being occupied by the Roman military.

Players still control Bayek, and not only is all progress maintained such as abilities, crafting levels and gear, but the level cap has been raised an additional 5 levels to a total of 45. While players can access the content at any time, the story timeline wise happens about four years after the events of the main game, and Ubisoft suggests that you be at least in the ballpark of level 40 to fully enjoy it.

You can check out the interview in it’s entirety right below, and explore the new story, crafting options and gear that comes with it when The Hidden Ones is available on all platforms Assassin’s Creed Origins is on when it launches January 23.

Are we playing as Bayek in this expansion?

Yes! In The Hidden Ones, you are still playing as Bayek. You keep all your progress from the main game (abilities, crafting levels, gear, inventory, etc.) and can continue to upgrade and customize Bayek as you go.

Will we see returning characters from the main game?

Yes, you will meet some characters from the main game and some new ones specific to this expansion.

Does The Hidden Ones add to the story of the main game, or is it a separate narrative?

The Hidden Ones adds to the story of the main game. This expansion takes place four years after the events of Assassin’s Creed Origins in a new region of the world, the Sinaï.

The Sinaï is mountainous region with a strong Roman military presence. Players will witness the Roman occupation as they discover many well-guarded Roman military camps, harbors, and construction sites where Roman are taking apart Egyptian monuments. This steep region will offer many new opportunities for parkour and traversal gameplay, as well as challenging fights.

How do I access The Hidden Ones content in the game?

Once the expansion is installed, you can either access it through the Quests menu to let it guide you or you can open the new Atlas map and fast travel to the Sinaï region. You can also travel between the Sinaï region and the main game area at any time, no matter your progression in both using the Atlas view of the World Map.

Do I need to have finished the main game in order to access The Hidden Ones?

No, you don’t need to have finished the story of the main game in order to access the expansion, but we recommend a level close to 40 to fully experience this new region and its new quests.

Has the level cap increased in this expansion?

Yes, Bayek’s progression will be pushed further. The level cap of the main game, which is level 40, will be extended to level 45 in The Hidden Ones.

Will there be new crafting options available?

Yes, we are adding new crafting levels for players to improve their gear.

Does the expansion come with any new gear (e.g., weapons, outfits, mounts)?

Yes, you will have access to four new legendary weapons, a new outfit, new mounts, and multiple new weapons that will be unlocked via progression in The Hidden Ones story.

When I finish The Hidden Ones, does my progress (level, gear, etc.) carry back over to the main game?

Yes, your progress from The Hidden Ones will follow you in the main game when you return to it.

If I don’t have the season pass, can I buy The Hidden Ones as a stand-alone add-on?

Yes, you can buy The Hidden Ones as a stand-alone add-on if you already own Assassin’s Creed Origins.