A lost potential - Lack of shields in Odyssey

This is a small feature post that I want to address my thoughts on.

As the title suggests, the new entry of Assassin's Creed Odyssey has removed the shield functionality that was previously introduced in Origins. Now this took me by surprise, when you think of being a Spartan decent I think classic use of the Spartan shield.

Bayek of Siwa with the Medjay shield

Not only was the shield function removed, but also the ability of just being able to block normally. Now for me this is quite new as the combat system now relies on both dodging and weaving and the ability to parry just at the right time such that the enemy is staggered momentarily. The use of the shield, brought about being able to play defensively when not necessarily in a combat against multiple enemies.

Origins implemented this feature very well, which is why I am honestly surprised that there had been a decision to actually remove it. Furthermore, the only request that I had at the time was that I wanted to use larger shields like the spartan shield as opposed to these smaller shields that had been introduced. Nonetheless, using defensive strategies was a good thing as it made the player take into consideration as to when is the perfect time to attack.

Now its an all out aggressive combat system where timing has to be perfect with those parries. Something of which I believe had lost potential as to how players could decide which type of play style they desired.

Although its a feature that has been bothering me since I started to play, it is something that I have to try and look past considering that I look at NPCs and think that shield would have really looked nice to have.