Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla continues the franchise’s transformation from stealth-based action to open-world RPG, and it does so with style, ambition, and a rich Norse tapestry. Released in November 2020, Valhalla invites players to step into the fur-lined boots of Eivor, a Viking raider, as they journey from the icy fjords of Norway to the green hills of Anglo-Saxon England. Blending brutal combat, exploration, and a deep narrative, the game is both a love letter to Norse mythology and a bold continuation of the series’ evolving identity.
Setting and Story
Valhalla is set during the Viking expansion into Britain in the late 9th century. You play as Eivor, who can be male or female (or both, as the Animus system dynamically adjusts). After a blood feud and political instability in Norway, Eivor and their adoptive brother Sigurd lead their clan to settle in England. Their journey is not just one of conquest, but of survival, diplomacy, and personal destiny.
The story unfolds through alliances with various English kingdoms, with each region offering a self-contained arc. These arcs vary in tone, offering political intrigue, betrayal, spiritual mysticism, and even comedic moments. Interwoven with the main plot is the ongoing struggle between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients—the precursors to the Assassins and Templars—which ties into the broader Assassin’s Creed mythology.
Gameplay and Mechanics
At its core, Valhalla retains the action-RPG formula refined in Origins and Odyssey, but with meaningful tweaks. Combat is weightier and more visceral, emphasizing stamina, parries, and dual-wielding weapons. Whether you’re swinging a massive axe or using a stealthy bow, battles feel impactful and grounded in Viking brutality.
Stealth returns with more focus. Social stealth—blending into crowds or donning disguises—makes a comeback, allowing players to infiltrate towns and strongholds more like the earlier Assassin’s Creed entries. This mixture of old and new systems gives players more options in how they approach each mission.
Exploration is vast and rewarding. The open world is one of Ubisoft’s most beautifully crafted environments, filled with hidden secrets, puzzles, treasures, and legendary beasts. From snow-covered Norwegian peaks to the rolling English countryside, the game is visually stunning and atmospheric.
Raiding plays a central role in Valhalla. Using your longship and a crew of warriors, you can attack monasteries and enemy fortresses to gather resources needed to build and upgrade your settlement, Ravensthorpe. This base-building mechanic is a compelling loop that adds a sense of progression and community.
RPG Elements and Customization
Eivor’s abilities are highly customizable. The massive skill tree, shaped like Norse constellations, allows for different builds—stealthy assassin, brutal warrior, or agile archer. Gear and weapons can be upgraded and improved, and unlike in Odyssey, loot is more curated and meaningful, reducing the clutter of useless items.
Dialog choices, while not as deep as some other RPGs, still influence certain story outcomes and relationships. Romance options are available, though mostly surface-level. Still, these additions help personalize Eivor’s journey.
Visuals and Sound
Graphically, Valhalla is a powerhouse. It makes full use of next-gen hardware with detailed environments, fluid animations, and dynamic weather systems. The art direction leans heavily into Norse symbolism and natural beauty, enhancing the sense of immersion.
The soundtrack, composed by Jesper Kyd, Sarah Schachner, and Einar Selvik, blends traditional Norse instruments with cinematic flourishes. The result is haunting, beautiful, and perfectly matched to the game’s themes. Voice acting is strong across the board, with Eivor’s actors (both male and female) delivering nuanced performances.
Weaknesses and Criticisms
Despite its many strengths, Valhalla is not without flaws. The game is enormous—perhaps too much so. The sheer size can lead to fatigue, and the repetitive nature of some activities (especially raids and side content) may wear thin. Bugs and technical issues, particularly at launch, were frequent, though many have since been patched.
The pacing of the story also varies. Some arcs are gripping and emotional, while others feel like filler. Additionally, while the mythological segments involving Norse gods are visually impressive, they sometimes detract from the grounded Viking saga.
Final Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an ambitious and largely successful entry in the franchise. It smartly blends traditional Assassin’s Creed stealth with modern RPG mechanics, all while delivering a richly detailed Viking world to explore. While it stumbles occasionally under its own weight and scope, the overall experience is engaging, beautiful, and satisfying.
