Which Game Is Better: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

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Summary

  • Compared to Valhalla, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers superior stealth, more intricate level design, and satisfying movement controls.
  • Exploration in Shadows feels engaging and natural with seasonal changes and random encounters.
  • With a reworked loot system, streamlined character progression, and enemy overhaul, Shadows shows Ubisoft’s commitment to addressing player feedback from Valhalla.

In the latest addition to Ubisoft’s enduring Assassin’s Creed series, titled “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” fans can expect a blend of familiar and innovative features. The developers have addressed some concerns raised in “Valhalla” and introduced novel concepts that build on successful elements from games like “Odyssey” and “Origins.” Players who have invested countless hours in “Valhalla” or “Odyssey” will find themselves comfortable in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” but they’re also likely to appreciate several significant enhancements.

When considering whether Shadows or Valhalla is superior, it’s not always straightforward. The distinctive qualities of these games are largely influenced by their unique settings and historical timeframes, impacting the way Ubisoft designs certain features. By emphasizing key gameplay differences between Valhalla and Shadows, we’ll primarily be discussing aspects related to gameplay, rather than factors like graphics, sound, or overall performance. Here are some significant areas where Assassin’s Creed Shadows excels over Valhalla.

1. Stealth

Living In The Shadows

As a gamer, I can confidently say that when it comes to stealth, Shadows leaves Valhalla in the dust – especially when you compare Naoe to Eivor. Given their distinct settings, it’s not surprising that a hardened Viking warrior can’t sneak around like a silent shinobi. However, this stark contrast is exactly what many fans find problematic about Valhalla. The game just doesn’t feel like Assassin’s Creed with its armored warriors, noisy castle sieges, and mythical creatures to vanquish. It seems to have strayed far from the stealthy, parkour-filled experiences we’ve come to expect from this series.

In the game “Shadows,” stealth feels exceptionally well-crafted and more polished than any Assassin’s Creed title from the last ten years. The game offers a variety of tools, enhanced movement options, intricate level designs, and Naoe’s agility and swiftness, making stealth gameplay one of the most gratifying experiences in “Shadows.

2. Exploration

Seasons And Random Encounters Make Exploration Feel Natural

Ubisoft has taken lessons from Valhalla’s successes and failures, enhancing the exploration in Shadows to feel more immersive and authentic. It’s suggested to play without the Guided Exploration option enabled, as this is the optimal way to immerse yourself in Feudal Japan. Instead of a bird’s-eye view revealing all locations, players must naturally explore their environment, decipher hints from objectives, or dispatch scouts to uncover map details.

Furthermore, the game features seasonal changes that revamp locations, modify their look, and introduce fresh random encounters. Consequently, players frequently meet Japanese residents in need of aid or guidance – a feature lacking in Valhalla, where every interaction with world characters was a single occurrence. Lastly, Japan’s varied terrains offer a more enriched backdrop compared to the expansive yet sometimes repetitive portrayal of Britain in Valhalla.

3. Loot and Gear System

More Reasons To Explore, Loot, and Fight

Building on the preceding thought, “Shadows” significantly enhances the loot mechanism compared to “Valhalla”, making exploration more enticing due to its well-balanced design. Unlike “Odyssey” that deluges players with continual gear drops or “Valhalla” which discards random loot altogether in favor of mostly upgrade materials from foes and chests, “Shadows” strikes a harmonious balance, offering an optimal blend. Although “Valhalla’s” gear system holds its merits, “Shadows” skillfully finds the sweet spot.

In the captivating world of Shadows, I, as an avid player, find myself in pursuit of legendary armor and weapons hidden within colossal castles dotting the map. These castles offer me a balanced opportunity to amass legendary equipment without overwhelming me. The decision to conquer a castle hinges on its enticing rewards. Scattered throughout the game are elite foes and treasure chests that yield rare gear, along with valuable materials, making every expedition both exciting and fruitful in terms of exploration and combat experiences.

4. Movement

Controls Feel Smoother and More Reliable

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that the Assassin’s Creed series, with Valhalla being no exception, has been under fire for controls that aren’t always on point. It seems like characters don’t always do what they’re supposed to when you press the buttons, which can make it feel like there’s a gap between my strategy and the game’s response. The way Eivor moves, though understandable given their warrior status, can sometimes feel clunky, especially during those high-flying parkour sequences where smoothness really matters.

As I delve into the world of Shadows, I find the movement and controls feeling sleeker, quicker, and more dependable, minimizing the irritating blunders that plagued previous installments. The arsenal of actions at my disposal has grown substantially, empowering me to creep, somersault sideways, zip along a grappling hook, and much more. Each new move added to Naoe’s repertoire seems thoughtfully integrated, transforming character handling into a seamless and delightful experience.

5. Settlement Building

New Building System Is Both Accessible and Deep

Upon the initial revelation of the Shadows’ hub, called the Hideout, some enthusiasts found themselves disheartened by its intricate mechanics and extensive personalization aspects. It seems peculiar for an Assassin’s Creed player to delve into constructing and enhancing a settlement. This idea was pioneered in Valhalla with Ravensthorpe, a pre-built town boasting stationary structures and limited customization and upgrade possibilities.

In contrast to the skeptics, it turned out that Shadows’ Hideout achieved an ideal harmony between ease of use and adaptability. It caters to those who prefer minimal investment, while still maintaining engagement. Players have the freedom to design their Hideout according to their preferences, with each structure offering a wealth of customization possibilities. Similarly to Valhalla, every new addition in Shadows’ Hideout brings valuable gameplay advantages. With these versatile tools available, the settlement system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows demonstrates significant improvement.

6. Skills and Mastery Progression

Streamlined Character Progression For Easy Builds

In Shadows, we’ve simplified the complex passive skill tree found in Valhalla which could take hours for players to fully grasp. By presenting each category as a standalone list and sorting skills based on their function, players can now progress by selecting only the abilities that align with their playstyle, eliminating the need to invest points in transitional skills.

In Valhalla, an unusual feature concerned the method of unlocking skills. Unlike choosing which talents to learn, players needed to discover Books of Knowledge hidden throughout the vast game world. There wasn’t any in-game guidance on locating specific abilities. Shadows, however, eliminates this random aspect, providing a more organized and user-friendly system for character development.

7. Level Design

Massive, Intricate Castles

As a devotee, it’s only to be expected that the rough strongholds and fortresses of Valhalla, dating back some 700 years prior to Shadows, seem almost rudimentary compared to the intricate, sprawling complexities found in Shadows. These arenas, teeming with layers, pathways, hidden treasures, resources, and adversaries, are nothing short of awe-inspiring. The journey of conquering each castle may be time-consuming, but it’s an immersive, gratifying experience that I simply can’t get enough of.

Each locale offers a challenging battlefield where players need to plan their moves, utilize all available resources, and embody the ninja mindset: slipping into obscurity, misdirecting adversaries, and striking with accuracy. The intricate design of ‘Shadows’ levels seems like a long-awaited amends from Ubisoft, confirming that the anticipation for a Japan-based Assassin’s Creed was justified. The game delivers breadth and detail beyond what could have been achieved earlier.

8. Enemy AI and Variety

A Long-Awaited Enemy Overhaul

In response to longstanding complaints about enemy behavior in both open combat and covert operations, the latest installment of Assassin’s Creed, titled Shadows, has made significant improvements by revamping the entire enemy system. Unlike Valhalla, these adversaries seem more cunning and alert, leading to intriguing situations that intensify the stealth experience. They are adept at detecting players on rooftops, investigating suspicious activities, and are less lenient towards sloppy play. The addition of numerous servants further complicates matters because they won’t engage in battle but will warn guards about the player’s presence, adding an extra layer of challenge to the game.

Battles in the game have undergone considerable enhancements too. Adversaries become more ferocious when they outmatch the player in numbers, frequently attacking together. They also demonstrate a higher skill level in defense and counterattacks during one-on-one engagements. The assortment of adversaries has expanded as well, featuring distinct weapon types and strengths. Although Shadows, due to its realistic approach, may not attain the maximum variety of enemies in this genre, it nevertheless provides more engaging, evolving battles that remain captivating over time.

9. Journal

A Modern Take on the Quest Log

In Valhalla, you’ll find a traditional quest log that presents each new task, mission, or objective in text format. Shadows, drawing inspiration from Mirage, introduces a more visually appealing design, resembling an atlas for a smoother user experience. The game refines the series’ classic assassination list screen and extends this layout to encompass all objectives.

This innovative system simplifies the process of monitoring story advancement by gathering crucial details onto one screen for easier access. It also improves navigation, allowing users to quickly understand goals without having to sift through older-fashioned RPG progression menus from Valhalla.

10. Pets

Just Look At Those Adorable Kittens

Few contemporary open-world games offer the opportunity for players to interact with stray animals such as dogs or cats, and at times, this feature might seem excessive or contrived. However, it’s a notable aspect in both Valhalla and Shadows. In Shadows, the animals appear more adorable, and interactions with them are smoother. What sets Shadows apart is that each animal a player pets can be brought back to their Hideout to live there. This adds an optional, charming dimension to the gameplay experience.

Oh, by the way, “Shadows” is home to some tiny kittens and puppies! They’re so irresistibly cute that it’s hard not to stop and give them a cuddle. In contrast, the large cats at “Valhalla” have their own unique charm, but these little ones certainly add an extra dose of adorableness.

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2025-03-23 05:05