Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Assassin's Creed Valhalla offers a visually stunning and expansive open-world Viking experience, blending Norse mythology with the Assassin's Creed universe. Players take on the role of Eivor, leading their clan from Norway to Anglo-Saxon England, engaging in raids, political alliances, and exploration. The game's RPG mechanics, including a deep skill tree, settlement building, and combat customization, provide variety and personalization.

However, the game is criticized for being overly long and repetitive, with many side quests feeling like filler. Combat is seen as simplified compared to previous entries, and the stealth elements are less emphasized. Storytelling suffers from shallow character development and a meandering main plot, leaving some players disengaged. Technical issues such as frequent crashes and bugs also mar the experience for many. Overall, Valhalla is a mixed bag — a beautiful but bloated Viking saga that appeals more to fans of large RPGs and Norse lore than traditional Assassin's Creed stealth gameplay.

Highlights

Valhalla’s most praised aspects include its breathtaking and atmospheric open world, richly detailed Norse and Anglo-Saxon settings, and the immersive Viking-themed narrative.

The game's combat system, featuring visceral heavy swings, dual-wielding, and brutal finishers, is satisfying despite some simplifications. Settlement building and raids add rewarding RPG elements, while the soundtrack and voice acting enhance the mood. The mythology integration and exploration elements also receive positive remarks, providing depth and variety.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game’s excessive length and repetitive quest structure, which many find tedious and bloated.

Players note that the story is uneven, with underdeveloped characters and a lack of emotional impact. Combat is viewed as oversimplified compared to earlier titles, and stealth mechanics are diminished. Technical issues like frequent crashes, bugs, and performance problems significantly detract from enjoyment. Additionally, some feel the game strays too far from the core Assassin’s Creed identity, disappointing fans expecting traditional stealth gameplay.