Ubisoft has revealed Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and gamers are pretty excited. The various Assassin’s Creed Valhalla mechanics at play seem much more complex compared to the overall franchise, offering more engaging elements. Players will find that the new Viking adventure has both a story-driven campaign and more open gameplay. Ubisoft is also gaming for a revival of older systems from previous games by expanding on old ideas.
The combat and core assassinations built into the story will of course return, but it looks like Ubisoft has a lot more in store this time around. Let’s go through what details have been revealed so far for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Gear and Leveling
With a more rounded RPG-like system coming to this entry, Ubisoft is taking the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla mechanics in a direction that older players might not be familiar with. Players will upgrade their various blacksmith shops and tattoo parlors to kit out their clan, as well as recruiting new warriors as NPCs to help you out in battles. And with the much larger bottles taking place during raids, players will have plenty of fighting to do.
Players will also be working with the gear leveling from the more recent games, although the acquisition of it will change to a degree. Leveled gear will return in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, bringing with it many of the RPG mechanics from the previous games. Instead of continually replacing new gear though, players will now instead improve and level up that gear through play. There might be some incremental gear upgrades throughout the story, but for the most part you will have the same setup throughout the game, with just a huge power boost tacked on.
Settlements and Raids
The new core of the gameplay surrounding exploration, and more importantly multiplayer, is the settlements you will now be managing. Players will find that the settlements serve as your hub in the game. Not only will you be using them to store your various upgrading materials and other gear, but you will also need to protect and improve them over time. Think of this resource and time sink as the new core of the gameplay aside from advancing the story.
Playing politics and handling the interpersonal conflicts of your groups will be a part of the game too. Players will get a more in-depth look at the world around them through the lens of Vikings in a strange land. And with the gameplay mechanics rooted in the idea of having to eke out a tough existence through raiding, the settlements will likely have some element of competition involved. Stealing resources from other players via the new multiplayer mode is also a big part of this.
There will be various other elements buried within the settlements beyond raiding. You can upgrade armor, engage in various mini-games like a drinking contest, or just chill out. The publisher also seems to be gearing up to change the way you explore the game world, stripping out some of the grinder elements from Odysessy surrounding exploration.
The game releases in Holiday 2020. As of now, Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is due out later this year via the Epic Games Store, Uplay and Stadia for PC. Releases for console ports via Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, and PS5 are all planned.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla also has various bits of DLC planned, with a Season Pass as well. Players who want to really throw down the cash can pre-order various customized premium versions of the game. There are Gold and Ultimate Editions with DLC and other digital bonuses. There’s also the massive Collector’s Edition that includes unique statues, a soundtrack and more.
