Assassin's Creed Valhalla

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In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, play as Eivor, a Viking warrior, and explore the dark age England while completing missions, raids, and building your settlement. The complete edition includes the base game, season pass, ultimate cosmetics pack, and the Dawn of Ragnarök expansion, while the Ragnarok edition only includes the base game and the Dawn of Ragnarök expansion. The game also features a FREE new rogue-lite game mode, Forgotten Saga.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,207 reviews

story899 positive mentions

stability252 negative mentions

story
3,098 mentions
29 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The story of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it engaging yet overly long and repetitive. While the main narrative follows Eivor's journey as a Viking warrior seeking to establish a settlement in England, it often gets bogged down by numerous side quests and filler content that detracts from the overall experience. Some players appreciate the rich lore and character development, particularly in the context of Norse mythology, while others criticize the pacing and lack of meaningful choices, leading to a sense of disconnection from the story. Overall, the game offers a vast world filled with activities, but the storytelling can feel diluted and tedious at times.
- “The storytelling is captivating, blending historical events with Norse mythology, while the characters are compelling and memorable.”
- “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla delivers a good mix of arc-driven storytelling and chaotic, open-world goodness.”
- “The game’s story is divided into several acts, with major plot points involving epic battles, treacherous betrayals, and mystical elements tied to the Isu, an ancient civilization central to the series' lore.”
- “My biggest complaint is that the story has weird pacing.”
- “The story is also all over the place.”
- “The pacing is erratic, with long, tedious stretches that fail to advance the plot in any meaningful way.”
gameplay
978 mentions
27 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Assassin's Creed Valhalla has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its blend of RPG elements and open-world exploration. While some appreciate the refined combat mechanics and the introduction of new features like raiding and settlement building, others criticize the repetitive nature of tasks, clunky controls, and a lack of engaging stealth mechanics that were hallmarks of earlier titles in the series. Technical issues, including frequent crashes and bugs, further detract from the overall experience, leading to a perception that the game feels unfinished or overly reliant on grindy gameplay.
- “If you like the mechanics of the AC series, you'll find them very refined here.”
- “The open world gameplay is engaging and the characters are thoughtfully developed.”
- “The gameplay is fun and made to play at your own pace.”
- “The gameplay just feels clunky and unfinished.”
- “The gameplay is riddled with minor bugs and inconveniences, and the obstacles and puzzles clearly exist solely to waste the player's time, causing nothing but frustration.”
- “The stealth mechanics are poorly executed, with AI enemies exhibiting erratic behavior that makes sneaking around almost impossible.”
graphics
742 mentions
58 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics in Assassin's Creed Valhalla are widely praised for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, effectively capturing the Viking aesthetic and enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players highlight the game's beautiful landscapes, rich textures, and atmospheric effects, although some report issues with optimization and graphical glitches that can detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are a significant strength of the game, opinions vary on their consistency and performance across different systems.
- “Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a stunning epic that transports you to the Viking age with breathtaking visuals and a rich, immersive world.”
- “The graphics and open world look amazing.”
- “The graphics are stunning, beautiful landscapes, and well-made models.”
- “Graphics in Valhalla feel like a noted regression from Odyssey.”
- “The graphics are really disappointing and the script gives the cast nothing to work with.”
- “The graphics look terrible, the textures are solid but there's no option to disable depth of field, and in the first 3 minutes I watched a small table of candles go from vaguely brown colored sticks with an orange blob at the top to fully rendered 2D candles with the same level of quality as an indie game from 5 years ago.”
stability
262 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The stability of Assassin's Creed Valhalla has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various technical glitches that persist even years after its release. Many users describe the game as feeling unfinished and buggy, with issues affecting gameplay mechanics, AI behavior, and overall immersion. While some players have experienced fewer problems, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's stability issues significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck, once you disable the Ubisoft overlay and run in experimental mode.”
- “If you have a powerful enough system, this will run very smoothly. Cap it at 30 fps unless you have an insane rig; it runs great, really.”
- “No freezes or crashes in over an hour.”
- “The game is a buggy mess that crashes constantly.”
- “Imagine buying this game after 4 years from release, and yet the game still being quite buggy and crashing constantly.”
- “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, ranging from minor visual hiccups to game-breaking crashes.”
grinding
211 mentions
1 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. Users report that the extensive resource gathering, leveling up, and side quests feel like chores rather than enjoyable gameplay, often detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the game's visuals and combat mechanics, the consensus is that the excessive grind significantly hampers the narrative and engagement, leading to a frustrating experience for many.
- “No tedious clearing of camps and outposts, only engaging content.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The leveling/xp grind to just be able to get to the next segment is so tedious that I cannot bring myself to continue the story, which, if I may add, is uninteresting in both the game itself and overall narrative.”
- “Ubisoft has padded the game with an endless list of fetch quests, useless side missions, and tedious grinding that doesn't feel rewarding.”
- “The game's core loop of raiding enemy settlements, completing side quests, and gathering resources quickly becomes tedious and predictable, leading to a sense of repetition and grind.”
music
207 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in Assassin's Creed Valhalla has received mixed reviews, with many praising its captivating soundtrack that blends traditional Norse music with orchestral scores, enhancing the game's immersive atmosphere. However, some players have criticized the audio quality, noting issues with compression and a lack of variety in tracks, particularly during combat and exploration. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as outstanding, its execution in-game has left some players wanting more.
- “The soundtrack complements the game’s setting with a mix of traditional Norse music and orchestral scores.”
- “The music is phenomenal, but is mixed so poorly, it barely ever stands out.”
- “The vast open world in this game was a sight to behold, with breathtaking scenery that never failed to captivate, and the music added a wonderful dimension to the experience.”
- “Although the music is composed very well, the audio quality is poor and sounds bitcrunched, as if it was recorded on a Nintendo DS.”
- “For some reason this game has an insane amount of audio compression, it makes the combat, music and general ambience lack punch or depth, completely sucking the experience dry.”
- “The entire sound and music in this game is dead; most of the game is dead silent!”
optimization
154 mentions
25 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on high-end hardware, while others report frequent crashes, bugs, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on older systems. Many users noted that despite impressive graphics, the game suffers from significant optimization issues that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. Overall, while some players experience smooth gameplay, a substantial number face technical difficulties that hinder enjoyment.
- “The in-game storyline is amazing, the characters are great, the visuals are frikin' awesome, and game optimization is also great.”
- “Graphics and optimization are great.”
- “It's optimized very well, and runs better on my machine than Odyssey, but that's pretty much the only place it outshines its predecessor.”
- “Some players have reported bugs and performance hiccups, particularly on older hardware.”
- “The game is good but not good enough to compensate for the lack of optimization.”
- “This game is poorly optimized for PC and constantly crashes to desktop or even to the blue screen of death.”
monetization
72 mentions
6 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has been widely criticized for its aggressive and intrusive microtransactions, which many players feel detract from the overall experience. While some customization options are available, they are often locked behind paywalls, leading to perceptions of the game as a cash grab rather than a quality product. Players express frustration over the constant presence of in-game advertisements and the pressure to engage with the microtransaction system, particularly in a full-priced single-player game.
- “Optional in-game purchases if you need a boost, but you can totally manage without them without too much grinding.”
- “But if you're looking for a cool Viking game that also gives you the option to buy an Iron Man armor with microtransactions, oh baby, you're right where you belong.”
- “Sure, there are no Steam achievements and inconsequential microtransactions, but they don't really affect my overall experience.”
- “However, its worth is severely undermined by the ubiquitous presence of microtransactions, turning playing the game into a manipulation and ad-infested mixed experience.”
- “The amount of in-game purchases are downright predatory.”
- “Intrusive DRM, aggressive monetization, constant crashes... it checks every box for what not to do in a single player game.”
humor
64 mentions
98 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny through quirky side quests, amusing character interactions, and unexpected moments, while others criticize the lack of consistent humor in dialogues and main storylines. Bugs and glitches often add an unintentional comedic element, contributing to the overall lightheartedness despite some frustrations. Overall, the game features a blend of intentional and accidental humor that can enhance the experience for those who appreciate it.
- “They are short, well-contained stories about the people and culture, can be downright hilarious or extremely touching, and it helps flesh out how people live in that time period.”
- “These quirky diversions add a layer of humor that keeps the game from taking itself too seriously.”
- “The views were breathtaking, the gameplay was fun, the dialogues were smart and funny, the characters were lovable and memorable.”
- “One quest had me collecting viper eggs in three different segments, each interrupted by poorly written and unfunny dialogues, making the experience feel like a tedious chore.”
- “The humor attempts in this game fall flat, often feeling forced and lacking any real wit or charm.”
- “I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, which really detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
atmosphere
51 mentions
57 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Assassin's Creed Valhalla" is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive world, and captivating soundtrack, effectively capturing the essence of the Viking era. Players appreciate the detailed environments and historical accuracy, which enhance the overall experience, although some critiques mention a lack of vibrancy compared to previous titles. Overall, the game offers a rich and atmospheric setting that draws players into its expansive world, despite some technical issues.
- “As always in AC games, it’s the historical setting, immersive world, and inimitable atmosphere that keep you engaged.”
- “The detailed environments, character models, and atmospheric music create an immersive setting that captures the essence of the Viking era.”
- “The game's soundtrack is equally praiseworthy, immersing players in a Norse-inspired score that perfectly complements the action and atmosphere.”
- “However, the oppressive atmosphere of player manipulation to spend more money actively undermines that core immersive formula.”
- “Even the army camp was quite small, which made the atmosphere feel awkward and not intense or strong enough.”
- “Unfortunately, even the atmosphere is let down by the fact that Ubisoft seems to have summarily executed all of its audio engineers recently.”
emotional
37 mentions
78 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly polarized among reviewers. While some praise the character development, particularly of Eivor and their relationships, as well as the robust voice acting that enhances the narrative, others criticize the story for being disjointed, dull, and lacking emotional depth. Overall, the game struggles to consistently evoke genuine emotional connections, with many players feeling that it falls short compared to its predecessors.
- “The character of Eivor is compelling and evolves perfectly throughout the journey, creating an emotional connection to the story.”
- “The writing is exceptional, keeping players engrossed in an emotionally charged and historically authentic storyline.”
- “The characters are well-developed and layered, and their interactions with the player and each other evoke a genuine emotional connection.”
- “You'll need to get past the janky combat and impressively boring story and writing, though.”
- “Repetitive to the extreme, boring story with boring characters, and gameplay elements so outdated that they're insulting, especially when considering it alongside other modern games.”
- “An overly long, boring story?”
replayability
19 mentions
26 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting a lack of a New Game+ feature and minimal differences between character storylines, which diminishes the incentive to replay. While the beautiful maps and engaging content offer some replay value, many feel that the focus on cosmetics and achievement hunting detracts from the overall experience. Ultimately, opinions vary, with some players finding it infinitely replayable, while others see little reason to return after the initial playthrough.
- “If you're looking for a game with amazing graphics, world, exploration, replayability, and content, I recommend it.”
- “🔲 infinitely replayable (or almost)”
- “Lots to do with great replay value”
- “Sadly, as mentioned, the game doesn't have New Game +, and that hurts the replayability of this game quite a lot.”
- “There is zero replay value since the achievement hunting is what causes it, not the extremely great first-time storyline.”
- “Content & replay value: I'm still playing and I feel like I'll play to the end, but I won't play twice since both characters are identical story-wise.”
character development
16 mentions
31 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the depth and engagement of the main character, Eivor, while others criticize the overall execution, noting that many supporting characters feel underdeveloped or forgettable. Despite the rich lore and expansive world, several reviewers felt that the character arcs lacked a sense of journey and emotional impact, leading to a disconnect in the narrative experience. Overall, while there are highlights in character design and writing, many players found the development inconsistent and at times lacking depth.
- “It's what kept me going, honestly. I really got into Eivor because he/she is such a well-written character that I could feel the character development throughout my playthrough.”
- “With a sprawling open world, intricate lore, and rich character development, Valhalla is a grand entry that continues the series' tradition of blending historical fiction with engaging gameplay.”
- “+ The writers did well with their character development.”
- “Unfortunately, the character development falls flat, leaving many of the characters feeling like they were written by a young child.”
- “Story is a bit lackluster, most of the characters are forgettable and do not have much impact on main character development.”
- “And there are some that go through character development off-screen and the next time you see them it feels as if a rock fell on their heads and sadly that is the case for some of the main villains of the game.”