Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

So far, 2020 has been an unpredictable year, seemingly throwing curve balls at us every moment it gets. And the motto for this crazy year has been “The World is changing”. And even though everything feels different at the moment, there is something you can always rely on, a brand-new Assassin’s Creed game in November and Ubisoft does not disappoint. Enter the brand new secret stabby simulator, Assassin Creed Valhalla, the 12th entry in the famous series and the first to place you in the boots of the infamous Vikings. Does Valhalla take the series to new heights or will this be another 2020 disappointment? 

I AM VIKING

You play as Eivor, a Viking raider raised to be a fearless warrior, and lead your clan from icy desolation in Norway to a new home amid the lush farmlands of ninth-century England. Find your settlement and conquer this hostile land by any means to earn a place in Valhalla. England in the age of the Vikings is a fractured nation of petty lords and warring kingdoms. Beneath the chaos lies a rich and untamed land waiting for a new conqueror. Blaze your own path across England with advanced RPG mechanics. Fight brutal battles, lead fiery raids or use strategy and alliances with other leaders to bring victory. Every choice you make in combat and conversation is another step on the path to greatness. Lead a crew of raiders and launch lightning-fast surprise attacks against Saxon armies and fortresses. Claim the riches of your enemies’ lands for your clan and expand your influence far beyond your growing settlement. Unleash the ruthless fighting style of a Viking warrior as you dual-wield axes, swords, or even shields against relentless foes. Decapitate opponents in close-quarters combat, riddle them with arrows, or assassinate them with your Hidden Blade. Your clan’s new home grows with your legend. Customize your settlement by building upgradable structures. Unlock new features and quests by constructing a barracks, a blacksmith, a tattoo parlor, and much more. Sail across the icy North Sea to discover and conquer the broken kingdoms of England. Immerse yourself in activities like hunting and drinking games or engage in traditional Norse competitions like flyting – or, as it’s better known, verbally devastating rivals through the art of the Viking rap battle.

PILLAGE AND PLUNDER

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a very good game, yet it does feel very familiar, with all the usual Ubisoft open-world tropes. The combat is solid and the story serviceable, yet there is something about Valhalla that feels dated, especially compared to recent open-world games like Ghost of Tsushima and Breath of the Wild. It’s not quite the series shake-up as we have seen with Assassin’s Creed Origins but still contains all the hallmarks of a very good open-world game. The combat is as exciting as ever and the new England landscapes are fun to explore yet something doesn’t quite stick. If you’re an Assassin’s Creed fan then you will instantly like this game, yet if you’re looking for something different then Valhalla might not be the game for you.