The Vikings are coming. Ubisoft has officially unveiled Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the latest game in the studio’s tent-pole franchise. It will release for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Stadia by the end of 2020.
Set in the British Isles during the 9th century AD, the game will tell the story of Vikings clashing against fractured Norman kingdoms. In an interesting twist, players will take on the role of invaders, playing as Eivor, a Viking clan leader, who faces off against the English King Alfred of Wessex. As the trailer makes painfully clear, there are no clear heroes and villains in history.
What to expect from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
From the looks of it, Valhalla will continue to lean into the RPG gameplay that’s cropped up in previous Assassin’s Creed games. Dialogue options and character choices have consequences, as the player builds alliances or rivalries depending on the path they choose.
Eivor will be fairly customizable, with players able to choose the character’s gender and appearance. Players will also be able to share a customized Viking raider online, and friends’ raiders will appear within their clans.
The new game will feature a revamped combat system that will allow players to dual-wield. There’ll be an array of swords, axes, and shields to choose from. That said, the trusty assassin hidden blade is also an option, if you prefer to go for a stealth takedown and skip a full-on bloodbath.
Raids and drinking games
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla players will also have responsibility over their clan’s well being as they attempt to establish a new home on British shores. Surprise raids will be the key to your clan’s survival. Looting and pillaging nearby villages will provide you with the resources you need to expand your influence and to keep your settlement fed.
This also means resource management in developing settlements. You’ll need to build barracks, blacksmiths, tattoo parlors, and other buildings to help your settlement thrive. This will involve recruiting new warriors to your clan, plus fishing, hunting, and playing drinking games. After all, Ubisoft is desperate to make it clear that Vikings weren’t just bloodthirsty murderers.
Hammer of the gods
It’s too early to tell whether Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will live up to its potential. It’s worth noting that Ubisoft has yet to show off live gameplay footage. The game likely needs a lot more polish before it’s ready to ship.
The game’s 2020 release date is optimistic under current circumstances. There’s no doubt that Ubisoft’s schedule has been disrupted by the ongoing pandemic. Here’s hoping that the studio can live up to its promises and deliver a solid game by the holiday season 2020.
Further screenshots and artwork can be seen below:
