The much anticipatedAssassin’sCreed: Valhallais the latest addition to theAssassin’s Creedfranchise. The series follows assassins through time from Ancient Greece, to the thriving Industrial Age, to the brutal Vietnam War (at least in the comicAssassin’s Creed: Bloodstone). Across these eras, assassins fight oppression and dismantle ruling systems that burden the people.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed: The 10 Most Historically Accurate Games In The Franchise, Ranked
TheAssassin’s Creedgames are also notable for theirstealthand combat mechanics. The games immerse players into the shoes of an actual saboteur, taking out key targets and people of power. The latest titleValhallais set to release November of 2020, and here are ten things we know about the Norse chapter of the popular gaming franchise.
12It takes place during the Viking age
Assassin’s Creed’slatest title will take place in the Nordic Viking age. During this era, raiding and colonizing were prevalent all across Europe. Settlements were built, and similarly, settlements were pillaged for resources.
Vikings undertook these conquests, waging battles against their foes for land. Players take control of a Viking named Eivor who leads his (or her) army into battles across England.
11Valhalla has the widest variety of enemy archetypes
From all theAssassin’s Creedgames,Valhallaoffers the widest selection ofenemies, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and effective counter-measures. Some enemy types will work together with other enemy types to pummel Eivor senseless.
Different things will work for different enemies, creating a colorful combat experience with enough variety to leave much explorative room forValhalla’sweapons and attacks. It keeps engagements fresh and never repetitive.
10Players can dual-wield any two weapons
Eivor can dual-wield any two one-handed weapons and create wonderful combinations with them. Each combination of dual-wieldedweaponshave their own attack combo and animation. Among the one-handed weapons available in the game are axes, hammers, swords, maces, and shields.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: 10 Weapons & Add-Ons That Make The Game Way Too Easy
If the player so desires, dual-shields can be equipped for blazing offensive defense. This combat mechanic allows for much to explore withValhalla’sfighting system, discovering killer combos and glorious ways to finish enemies off.
9Players can raid strongholds & settlements
Eivor with his army can raid fortifications to pillage for resources. Acquired loot from the crusades can be used to upgrade Eivor’s settlement. Resources may include crafting materials for weapon and equipment upgrades, some in-game currency, and some materials to improve the settlement with.
Fallen soldiers in battle may also have their weapons picked up to be sold, or smelted into crafting materials. Apart from that, raids may even award skill points to Eivor that allow him to acquire unique abilities to be used in battle.
Eivor won’t take down strongholds alone like with the previousAssassin’s Creedgames. Unlike previous titles, players may lead an army into battle where they will help Eivor rid the rival settlement off the map and pillage for cargo. Allies can be upgraded by raiding for resources, and they may be revived inbattleas well.
An army can be built by diplomatic means and by getting on the good side of people in power. The individual members of the army have their own personalities as well, providing some life into the side events. While sailing with the army, there will be interactions between the crew like singing songs and side banter.
7Players build & improve their settlements
Players will actually feel like they’re making an impact on the game world. Not only would Eivor be dismantling England from the inside, but he would also be building his settlement from resources he’s acquired in battle.
Upgrading the settlement will result in more settlers, thereby building a community– one of the crucial developmental steps during the Viking age. Outside of the killing Eivor does in the unforgiving land of England, he is building and establishing a community back in his settlement where families may thrive and a generation may prosper.
6The Main Character can either be Male or Female
Just like inOdyssey,Valhalla’smain character Eivor may either be male or a female depending on the players' preference. Eivor’s male and female versions both have their own respective voice acting, making the experience for either chosen gender authentic. Other characters in the world will also interact with Eivor accordingly to his (or her) gender.
Whether the player decides Eivor to be male or female, it will create an authentic character experience towards Eivor.
5You Can Have A Nordic Rap Battle
Otherwise known as ‘Flyting,’ these insult contests between two parties are done in verse and with rhyme. This was done between two poets and was prevalent in medieval England. Eivor can challenge contenders to flyting where they will wager a bet.
RELATED:Assassin’s Creed: 10 Best Villains Of All Time, Ranked
The players can choose from a selection ofversesto retort with, each round having its best possible response. Eivor only has a limited time to flyte with so players should be quick. This side-activity in medieval England is the closest thing to modern-day rap battles.
4Players can build cairns
Petting animals isn’t exactly new with open-world games but stone-stacking is a first. Cairns are man-made mounds of stones that stack high towards the sky. Across the world of medieval England, there are cairn-building spots where players may stack a group of stones together. The goal is to stack them as high as possible.
After the activity, the player-made cairns stay in the world even after they load out of the game. When they launch the game again, their cairn would still be there in the part of the world they built it on. The game uses real-world physics to emulate the activity of actually stacking stones. Aside from this, players may also pet cats and other domestic animals.
3Valhalla has survival elements, like hunting
Valhalladoesn’t just introduce new combat mechanics, but also deepens somesurvival elementsas well. Eivor will eventually grow weary and hungry, making him weak in combat. Players may hunt the many animals found across the forests of medieval England. This will provide Eivor with enough sustenance to keep fighting.
Eivor will lose health in the world and it wouldn’t regenerate back to full like previous games. Eating fruits and picking throughout the world will replenish Eivor’s health, along with hunting and fishing.
