Why Starting Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Again in 2025 is a Must for Fans

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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla remains one of Ubisoft’s most ambitious entries in the long-running franchise. Since its 2020 launch, the game has received extensive support, including multiple expansions, free updates, and quality-of-life improvements. Now, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows set to release next week, there’s never been a better time to revisit Valhalla and see how it shaped the future of the series.

The game follows Eivor, a Viking warrior forging their path through 9th-century England while establishing a settlement, forging alliances, and uncovering the hidden war between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templars. The RPG elements, expanded combat mechanics, and a wealth of content helped define the legacy of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. With a full content package now available at a discount, revisiting the game offers a fresh perspective on its lasting impact.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Expanded AC’s RPG Elements

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla took major strides in cementing the series’ transition into an RPG experience. Ubisoft expanded customization options, giving players more control over Eivor’s appearance, combat abilities, and settlement. Players could choose different weapons, mix and match armor sets, and engage in a more dynamic skill tree system. The game also introduced a greater emphasis on player choice, with multiple story outcomes shaped by dialogue decisions and actions taken throughout the game.

One of Valhalla’s biggest RPG influences comes from its structured mission system, reminiscent of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Valhalla introduced a regional arc system where players shaped each area’s outcome. This format likely influenced Shadows, which features dual protagonists with diverging playstyles. Fujibayashi Naoe, a shinobi assassin, emphasizes stealth, while Yasuke, a powerful samurai, thrives in direct combat. This dual approach builds on Valhalla’s RPG evolution by offering even more varied gameplay experiences.

Additionally, Valhalla introduced the Settlement system, allowing players to upgrade and customize their home base, Ravensthorpe. This feature added a sense of progression beyond combat and exploration, something that Shadows may refine with its own world-building elements.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Influence on Shadows’ Open World

Valhalla’s massive open world was one of its defining features, spanning England, Norway, Vinland, and even mythological realms. It refined environmental storytelling, offering players freedom to explore, interact, and discover hidden lore. Ubisoft’s extensive post-launch support added even more content, ensuring players had a wealth of activities, from river raids to challenging legendary bosses. However, the game did come across criticisms for being too bloated, which made it a bit intimidating for completionists. Depending on one’s perspective, Valhalla might feel ambitious or excessive, so it was a lesson that the series had to learn from.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to build on this philosophy, set in 16th-century Japan during the Sengoku period. Naoe and Yasuke navigate this era’s political upheaval while utilizing Japan’s diverse landscapes for both stealth and combat. Naoe’s agility and ninja tools reflect Valhalla’s more parkour-driven mechanics, while Yasuke’s destructible environments and powerful attacks mirror the weighty combat refinements that Valhalla introduced.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Set Up Shadows’ Modern Story

Valhalla’s ending hinted at a major shift for the series’ overarching modern-day storyline. The final expansion, “The Last Chapter,” teased the idea of a broader Assassin’s Creed multiverse, which could have major implications for Shadows. With the franchise exploring different historical settings while maintaining a connected modern narrative, Valhalla’s conclusion may play a role in how Shadows approaches its Assassin-Templar conflict.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows dials back some of Valhalla’s RPG elements in favor of a more refined action-stealth approach, the foundation laid by Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is undeniable. The game’s protagonist structure, commitment to historical immersion, and deep character customization have all influenced Shadows’ design.

Additionally, Valhalla introduced more player agency in storytelling, allowing players to uncover history from different perspectives. This narrative flexibility is something Shadows is expected to expand upon with its protagonists, who come from drastically different backgrounds and social standings within Japan’s feudal hierarchy.

For players looking to appreciate the franchise’s evolution, replaying Valhalla in 2025 provides insight into how Ubisoft has refined and iterated on its formula. With its sprawling world, engaging combat, and meaningful choices, Valhalla remains a key milestone in the series—one worth revisiting before embarking on the next chapter with Shadows.

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2025-03-17 13:36