Introduction:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, released on November 10, 2020, by Ubisoft Montreal, is the twelfth major installment in Assassin’s Creed iconic Assassin’s Creed series, following Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018). Set during the Viking invasions of England in 872–878 AD, this action role-playing game (RPG) immerses players in the brutal yet breathtaking world of Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider striving to carve out a legacy amidst
warring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. With over $1 billion in revenue by 2022 and the highest Day 1 sales in the franchise’s history, Valhalla remains a cornerstone of open-world gaming in 2025. Its blend of historical fiction, Norse mythology, and the eternal Assassin-Templar conflict, paired with extensive post-launch content, keeps players hooked. Assassin’s Creed 2025 overview explores Valhalla’s gameplay, visuals, expansions, and updates, ensuring you know why this Viking epic still captivates.
Gameplay A Viking Saga of Choice and Conquest
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla casts you as Eivor, a customizable Viking raider (male or female, voiced by Magnus Bruun or Cecilie Stenspil), leading the Raven Clan from war-torn Norway to the fractured kingdoms of England. The game’s open world spans Norway’s icy fjords and England’s rolling hills, covering regions like Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. Gameplay revolves around exploration, combat, and stealth, with advanced RPG mechanics allowing players to shape Eivor’s journey through dialogue choices, alliances, and romances that impact the story’s multiple endings.
Combat is visceral, with Eivor dual-wielding weapons like axes, swords, shields, flails, and greatswords, a step up from previous titles. The revamped system emphasizes brutal Viking tactics, with abilities like harpoon throws and stomps unlocked via Books of Knowledge. Stealth, a series staple, returns with social blending and assassinations, addressing Odyssey’s lighter focus on the Assassin-Templar conflict. Players can lead raids on Saxon fortresses using longships, looting resources to upgrade Ravensthorpe, Eivor’s settlement. World Events—short, narrative-driven side quests—replace traditional side missions, offering variety without diluting the main story.
Story and Setting A Tapestry of Myth and History
Valhalla’s narrative follows Evo’s quest to establish a new home in England while clashing with King Aelfred of Wessex and uncovering Is relics tied to Norse gods like Odin and Loki. The modern-day framing story features Layla Hassan, an Assassin reliving Eivor’s memories to avert a global catastrophe caused by Earth’s magnetic field. The story weaves historical events, such as the Great Heathen Army’s invasion, with Norse mythology, including playable dream sequences in Asgard and Jotunheim.
Assassin’s Creed writing, led by Darby McDevitt, balances gritty Viking politics with emotional depth, reminiscent of The Witcher 3’s nuanced storytelling. Choices, like accusing a traitor in a shire, carry weight, often leaving players uncertain of their impact—a deliberate narrative strength. Expansions like Dawn of Ragnarök deepen the mythological lore, while Crossover Stories connect Valhalla to Odyssey through Kassandra’s cameo.
Visuals and Performance A Stunning Viking World
Valhalla’s open world is a visual masterpiece, especially on next-gen platforms like PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, where it runs at 4K and 60 FPS. Norway’s aurora-lit fjords and England’s misty moors, dotted with Roman ruins, create a lived-in atmosphere. Weather effects, dynamic lighting, and destructible environments enhance immersion. The 2024–2025 patches reduced file size by up to 44 GB (from 90 GB to ~46 GB on PS5) and improved runtime performance, addressing early technical issues like stuttering and bugs.
PC players need at least an Intel Core i5-4460, 8 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 for 1080p at 30 FPS on low settings. For 4K at 60 FPS on high settings, an Intel Core i9-9700K, 16 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 2080 are recommended. The game’s graphics options, including a preview feature and benchmark tool, help optimize performance, with World Detail and Anti-Aliasing being the most demanding settings.
Expansions and Post Launch Content
Ubisoft supported Valhalla with two years of content, including three major expansions:
- Wrath of the Druids (May 2021): Set in Ireland, Eivor navigates Gaelic politics and druidic cults. Ideal for early-game play.
- The Siege of Paris (August 2021): Eivor journeys to Francia, facing Charles the Fat’s empire. Mid-to-late game content.
- Dawn of Ragnarök (March 2022): A 40-hour mythological arc where Eivor, as Odin, battles in Svartalfheim. Best for high-level players.
Free updates like The Forgotten Saga (roguelite mode) and Assassin’s Creed Last Chapter (story epilogue) add replayability. The Crossover Stories DLC links Valhalla to Odyssey, while microtransactions (e.g., Silver Packs, Material Packs) offer resources and cosmetics like the Celestial Unicorn mount. The Animus Hub (2025) integrates Valhalla with Origins, Odyssey, Mirage, and Shadows, enhancing cross-title connectivity.
Settlement Building Ravensthorpe’s Heart
Ravensthorpe, Eivor’s customizable settlement, is a core mechanic. Players upgrade buildings like barracks, blacksmiths, and tattoo parlors using resources from raids. These enhance troops, weapons, and aesthetics, impacting gameplay. The settlement guide recommends prioritizing the barracks and shipyard early for better raids and exploration. The system adds a personal stake, making Valhalla feel like a Viking simulator.
Community and Legacy
Valhalla’s community thrives on platforms like Discord and X, where players share mercenary Vikings and strategies. By 2025, the game’s $1 billion revenue and 1.8 million players at launch cement its status as Ubisoft’s second most profitable title. Its influence persists in Assassin’s Creed Mirage (2023) and Shadows (2025), with Basim Ibn Ishaq transitioning from Valhalla to Mirage. Tie-in novels like Geirmund’s Saga and Sword of the White Horse expand the lore, while The Vault in the Animus Hub offers narrative depth.
System Specifications
- Minimum (1080p, 30 FPS, Low): Intel Core i5-4460, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, 50 GB storage.
- Recommended (1080p, 60 FPS, High): Intel Core i7-6700, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080.
- Ultra (4K, 30 FPS, Ultra): Intel Core i9-9700K, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 2080.
- Platforms: PC (Epic Games Store, Uplay), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Stadia. No Steam release.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Immersive open world with stunning visuals.
- Deep RPG mechanics with meaningful choices.
- Robust expansions add 60+ hours of content.
- Settlement building enhances role-playing.
- Optimized performance in 2025 updates.
- Cross-title integration via Animus Hub.
Cons:
- Lengthy campaign (61–149 hours) may overwhelm.
- Early bugs persisted on older hardware.
- Repetitive World Events and combat AI issues.
- Microtransactions tempt faster progression.
Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2025 is a triumphant blend of Viking savagery and Assassin’s Creed’s stealthy roots. Its sprawling world, gripping narrative, and refined mechanics make it a standout RPG, bolstered by expansions and the Animus Hub. Despite a steep time commitment and minor flaws, it’s a must-play for fans of history, mythology, and open-world adventures. Skål to Eivor’s saga!
FAQs: Your Guide to Valhalla
1. What is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Valhalla is a 2020 action RPG set during the Viking invasions of 9th-century England. You play as Eivor, a Viking raider, navigating alliances, raids, and the Assassin-Templar conflict. It’s available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Stadia.
2. Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla free to play?
No, it’s a premium game ($59.99 standard, $119.99 Ultimate Edition). Microtransactions offer Silver and cosmetics, but core content is accessible without spending. It’s on Xbox Game Pass as of January 2024.
3. Can I play Valhalla on PC?
Yes, via Epic Games Store or Uplay, not Steam. Emulators aren’t needed, but a GeForce GTX 960 (minimum) or RTX 2080 (4K) is recommended. Check system specs before buying.
4. What are Valhalla’s DLCs, and in what order should I play them?
DLCs include Wrath of the Druids (Ireland), The Siege of Paris (Francia), and Dawn of Ragnarök (mythological). Play Wrath early, Siege mid-game, and Ragnarök at high levels. Free content includes The Forgotten Saga and The Last Chapter.
5. How long is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Main story: ~61 hours. Full completion (World Events, collectibles): ~149 hours. Expansions add 60+ hours.
6. What’s new in Valhalla for 2025?
The Animus Hub integrates Valhalla with other titles, offering cross-game rewards and “the Vault” database. Title Update 1.7.0 (2024) reduced file size and improved performance.
7. How do I upgrade Ravensthorpe?
Use resources (Iron Ore, Leather) from raids to build barracks, shipyards, and more. Prioritize barracks for better troops and blacksmiths for weapon up.
8. Are there cheats for Valhalla?
No official cheats. Mods or trainers (PC only) risk bans or instability. Earn Silver through raids and World Events for safe progression.
9. How does Valhalla compare to Odyssey?
Valhalla refines Odyssey’s RPG mechanics, reintroduces stealth, and focuses on Viking history vs. Odyssey’s Greek setting. It’s longer but less romance-heavy.
10. Is Valhalla safe to download?
Yes, from official platforms (Epic, Uplay, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store). Avoid unofficial APKs to prevent malware.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, originally released in 2020, remains a remarkable Viking-themed open-world RPG, but as of 2025, it is no longer receiving major new content. The final story additions—“The Last Chapter” and the Shared History quest—were released in late 2022, marking the official end of post-launch expansions.
In January 2025, Ubisoft released Title Update 1.7.0 to fix technical issues, especially compatibility problems with Windows 11 version 24H2, but this was purely a stability patch and did not include any new gameplay features.
Fan requests for features like New Game Plus (NG+) have not been fulfilled, and Ubisoft has confirmed no new DLCs or remakes for Valhalla are planned.
Going forward, Assassin’s Creed fans can look toward the future of the franchise with Assassin’s Creed Shadows (2025)—a completely new installment set in Feudal Japan, which is expected to carry the series forward.