Plot and Setting
Set between the years 872–878 AD, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla tells a Viking fantasy story grounded in the historical Viking expansions into the British Isles. You play as Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider—whose gender you can choose—on a mission to establish a new clan in England. Eivor gets entangled in the long-standing secret war between the Assassin Brotherhood, who fight for peace and freedom, and the Templar Order, who seek peace through control.
The game also features a present-day storyline, where modern-day Assassin Layla Hassan uses advanced technology to relive Eivor’s memories in hopes of preventing a global catastrophe.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Valhalla continues the RPG formula from its predecessors, Origins and Odyssey, but improves the overall combat feel. Fighting feels smoother and more intuitive. Unlike previous titles where health bars dominated the experience, Valhalla allows more fluid parrying and light/heavy attacks that feel less tied to numbers and more to skill.
The weapon variety is satisfying—choose from axes, swords, maces, two-handed hammers, and more. You can dual-wield, use shields, or go full berserker. Armour sets also come in different classes (heavy, medium, light), letting you tailor your loadout to your playstyle.
Upgrading gear is straightforward—you’ll need to explore and gather materials throughout the world. Customization extends to the skill tree, where you shape your build around stealth, ranged combat, or all-out melee brutality.
Strengths
The game is at its best during the story-heavy raids and political maneuverings in England. Eivor’s interactions with their brother Sigurd lead to several key decisions, some of which don’t make sense at first but prove pivotal later. The story culminates in a major twist, making the journey worth completing.
Weaknesses
Unfortunately, the game’s enormous map works against it. Side quests and exploration can quickly feel repetitive, and the sheer size of England can be overwhelming. While the world is beautifully crafted, the gameplay loop can wear thin.
If you’re a completionist chasing the best armour and upgrades, prepare for a grind.
DLC Reviews
Wrath of the Druids – 3/5 Stars
Set in Ireland, this DLC focuses on lifting a curse to restore peace. It’s well-paced, offering a satisfying story without overstaying its welcome. However, it adds little in terms of gameplay mechanics or innovation. Worth playing for the narrative alone.
Siege of Paris – 2/5 Stars
This expansion takes you to Paris to complete what Ragnar Lothbrok couldn’t. The siege mechanics are cool at first, but exploration and story progression become monotonous. Although new swords are introduced, the DLC lacks depth and fails to deliver a compelling plot.
Dawn of Ragnarok – 1/5 Stars
This DLC is the weakest of the three. You play as Odin in the realm of Svartalfheim, helping dwarves and battling mythological foes. While it introduces new gear and upgrades, the story feels disconnected and adds no real value to the main narrative. Side quests follow the same tired formula. Unless you’re absolutely desperate for more Viking content, skip this one. If you’re into Norse mythology, God of War is a better alternative.
Final Verdict: 3/5 Stars
Pros:
- Engaging main story with a compelling twist
- Vast arsenal of weapons and customization
- Exciting raid mechanics
- Diverse playstyles
- Immersive Viking setting
Cons:
- Map is overwhelmingly large
- Repetitive side content
- Underwhelming and unnecessary DLCs
MaximusGames99 