How Good is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Really?

When Assassin’s Creed Valhalla released in 2020, it marked Ubisoft’s third full embrace of the RPG-style formula introduced in Origins and refined in Odyssey. Set in the Viking Age, it invited players to raid, explore, and settle in Anglo-Saxon England while weaving a story about identity, loyalty, and destiny.

It has since become one of the most commercially successful entries in the series, supported by years of expansions and updates. But with time, distance, and perspective, many players ask: how good is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla really? Is it worth jumping into in 2025, or is it more of a product of its moment?

To answer this, we need to examine Valhalla’s story, world design, gameplay mechanics, expansions, strengths, weaknesses, and overall legacy.

Storytelling and Characters

You play as Eivor, a Viking warrior who leads the Raven Clan from Norway to England. The central narrative is about carving out a new home while balancing loyalty to clan, faith in the gods, and personal ambition. Unlike the mythic grandeur of Odyssey, Valhalla opts for a grittier, more grounded tone.

The story unfolds through regional arcs, each representing alliances and conflicts with Anglo-Saxon rulers or Norse clans. These arcs give the game a structure similar to episodes, with each telling a complete story while contributing to the larger narrative.

Eivor is one of the more nuanced protagonists in the franchise. Whether you play as male, female, or a mix of both (the game allows switching), Eivor’s journey is layered with personal dilemmas. The relationship with Sigurd, Eivor’s adoptive brother, anchors the main story, raising questions of loyalty, leadership, and family tension.

Side characters also shine. From the kings and earls of England to members of the Raven Clan, the cast is large and often memorable. While not every storyline lands, many are grounded in political intrigue and moral ambiguity, which keeps the narrative engaging.

World Design and Atmosphere

The world of Valhalla is massive, covering Norway, England, and later expansions that added Ireland and Paris. Each region is carefully crafted to reflect its culture and history. England’s rolling fields, forests, and rivers contrast beautifully with Norway’s icy fjords and mountains.

Exploration is rewarding, though less focused on sheer scale than Odyssey. Instead of dozens of islands, Valhalla emphasizes density. Points of interest include monasteries to raid, mysteries to uncover, and wealth nodes to claim. The Mysteries, in particular, stand out, often offering small, quirky stories that add flavor without overwhelming the player.

Atmosphere is one of Valhalla’s greatest strengths. The soundtrack by Jesper Kyd and Sarah Schachner blends Norse chants with haunting melodies, perfectly matching the mood. Whether you are sailing rivers, raiding villages, or standing atop a hill looking across the English countryside, the game captures a sense of place that feels authentic and immersive.

Gameplay and Combat

Valhalla builds on the combat foundations of Origins and Odyssey but leans harder into brutality. Dual-wielding weapons, brutal finishers, and Viking raids give combat a distinct identity. Weapons feel weighty, and the combat system allows you to mix light and heavy attacks, blocks, dodges, and abilities.

Stealth remains part of the game, though less central than in older Assassin’s Creed entries. Social stealth returns in some form, allowing you to blend in with crowds, but Valhalla is more comfortable pushing you toward direct confrontation.

Raiding is a signature mechanic. You and your crew storm monasteries and villages, looting resources to upgrade your settlement. This ties directly into progression, making raids feel integral rather than optional.

Progression is more streamlined than in Odyssey. Instead of constant loot upgrades, Valhalla emphasizes finding unique gear and upgrading it. This reduces grind but also makes progression feel less varied. The skill tree is sprawling but flexible, allowing you to branch into melee, ranged, or stealth builds.

The Settlement System

One of Valhalla’s unique features is Ravensthorpe, your settlement in England. It acts as a hub where you can build structures, unlock services, and deepen relationships with your clan. This system adds personality and a sense of home to the game.

The settlement also creates narrative ties. Characters you recruit or help often join Ravensthorpe, making it feel like a living community. While not as deep as some RPG settlement systems, it provides variety and helps break up the loop of raiding and questing.

Expansions and Post-Launch Support

Ubisoft supported Valhalla with one of the longest post-launch schedules in the franchise.

• Wrath of the Druids takes players to Ireland, exploring Celtic myths and political intrigue.
• The Siege of Paris recreates the Viking invasion of France with large-scale battles and branching quests.
• Dawn of Ragnarok dives fully into Norse mythology, letting you play as Odin in a fantastical setting.

Beyond paid expansions, Valhalla also received free seasonal events, river raids, and crossovers with other Assassin’s Creed games. Few titles in the series have been supported for as long or as extensively.

This level of support added significant longevity, though some players felt the expansions stretched the game beyond its natural life cycle. Still, for content-hungry players, Valhalla offers hundreds of hours of playtime.

Strengths of Valhalla

• Atmosphere and Setting: England and Norway feel alive, with landscapes that immerse players in the Viking era.
• Protagonist: Eivor is a strong, layered character who carries the story well.
• Raids and Settlement: Unique features that differentiate Valhalla from other Assassin’s Creed games.
• Expansions: A large volume of high-quality post-launch content.
• Music and Sound Design: One of the strongest soundtracks in the series.

Weaknesses of Valhalla

• Length and Pacing: The main story can exceed 100 hours, and some arcs feel padded.
• Repetition: While Mysteries are creative, raiding and wealth collection can become repetitive over time.
• Combat Variety: Despite solid mechanics, combat can feel grindy when stretched across such a long campaign.
• Connection to Assassin’s Creed Lore: While present, the overarching Assassin-Templar conflict often takes a backseat to Viking storytelling.

Longevity and Replay Value

Valhalla is a massive game. A single playthrough of the main story can take 60 to 80 hours, and completionists can easily spend over 120 hours exploring everything. Adding in the expansions, total playtime can exceed 150 to 200 hours.

Replay value is lower than in Odyssey since choices rarely lead to drastically different endings. However, replaying with different builds or focusing on settlement growth can offer variety.

In 2025, Valhalla remains accessible thanks to patches and performance improvements. On PC and current-gen consoles, it runs smoothly and looks impressive. While newer games have pushed visuals even further, Valhalla’s art direction ensures it still feels immersive.

Cultural Impact

Valhalla is one of the most commercially successful Assassin’s Creed titles, reflecting Ubisoft’s shift toward RPG-style open worlds. It proved that the franchise could embrace massive scale and still attract millions of players. Its emphasis on raids, settlement building, and grounded storytelling gave it a distinct identity within the series.

However, some fans argue that its sheer size marked the point where the series became too bloated. Compared to earlier entries, Valhalla demands more time and patience, which can be overwhelming for players who prefer tighter experiences.

Final Thoughts

So how good is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla really? It is an ambitious and content-rich game that captures the Viking Age with atmosphere and detail. Its protagonist, Eivor, is one of the stronger leads in the franchise, and its world is beautiful and immersive. Raiding and settlement building add variety, while expansions offer enormous value.

At the same time, the game is not without flaws. Its sheer length can make it feel padded, and repetition in raiding and combat can test patience. For players who prefer a focused story, Valhalla may feel overwhelming.

Ultimately, Valhalla is a game that rewards those willing to invest time. It may not be the perfect Assassin’s Creed entry, but it stands as one of the most ambitious and memorable. In 2025, it is still worth playing, especially if you enjoy sprawling RPGs with strong atmosphere and cultural depth.