The Ultimate Guide to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

What is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an open-world action RPG developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. Released in November 2020 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia, it is the twelfth major installment in the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise.

Valhalla transports players to 9th-century England during the Viking invasion. As Viking raider Eivor, players raid enemies, form alliances, build settlements, and unravel mysteries behind an ancient conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order. The game provides a sprawling open world and 200+ hours of RPG gameplay.

Gameplay and Mechanics

As an open-world RPG, AC Valhalla offers many activities and systems for players to utilize:

• Exploration – Traverse Norway and England on foot, horseback, or longship to discover new locations and loot.
• Combat – Raid enemy camps using weapons like swords, axes, and spears in violent, visceral battles.
• Stealth – Sneak into fortresses, assassinate targets, and infiltrate without being detected.
• Progression – Earn XP to level Eivor’s abilities and power up their settlement.
• Raids – Lead Viking comrades on raids against major story targets like monasteries.
• Settlement – Construct and manage buildings in your growing Viking settlement.
• Activities – Fishing, drinking games, flyting rap battles, and unique world events.
• Gear/Loot – Wield armor sets, weapons with unique stats and abilities.
• Skills – Unlock new combos, stealth abilities, and more through skill trees.

This provides a wealth of options for engaging in combat, stealth, exploration, or roleplaying preferred playstyles.

Setting and Story

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is set in the 9th century AD during England’s Dark Ages. As Viking raider Eivor, players lead their clan from icy Norway to the shores of England during a time of warring kingdoms and Viking expansion.

Eivor allies with kings like Alfred of Wessex to build a new home for their people, coming into conflict with the sinister Order of Ancients. Throughout this tale of war and conquest, Eivor also experiences visions and mysteries connected to the ancient struggle between the Isu and humans.

Key elements of the setting and story include:

• Stunning recreation of England and Norway during the Viking Age
• Play as male or female version of Eivor
• Raiding castles, stone henges, and monasteries
• Forming strategic alliances with English kingdoms
• Unraveling Isu mysteries across realms like Asgard

Exploration and Open World

AC Valhalla boasts a massive open world comprising Norway and four English kingdoms: Mercia, Wessex, Northumbria, and East Anglia. Players can explore forests, towns, cities, temples, monasteries and more across this landscape.

Notable open-world areas include:

• Norway – Snowy starting area with mountains and fjords
• England – Sprawling medieval countrysides and settlements
• Asgard – Mythical Norse realm of the gods
• Vinland – Lush frontier representing North America

In addition to wealth, gear, and materials, the world contains mysteries like World Events, Artifacts, and collectible mementos known as Cairns. There are over 200 hours of content to delve into across the rich recreations of Viking-era Norway and England.

Character Customization

AC Valhalla lets players customize their version of Eivor in various ways:

• Gender – Play as male or female Eivor
• Armor – Change Eivor’s gear and outfit appearance
• Tattoos – Ink Eivor’s body with Nordic tattoos
• Hair – Alter Eivor’s hairstyle and beard
• Settlements – Construct and upgrade buildings like barracks and tattoo parlors
• Dialogue – Select conversation choices to shape Eivor’s personality

Players can craft Eivor to match their preferred playstyle and aesthetics through this array of customization options.

Reviews and Reception

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla received generally positive reviews from critics, earning an aggregated score of 84/100 on Metacritic based on 36 reviews.

Many reviewers praised the immersive Viking setting, satisfying combat, beautiful open world, and wealth of content. However, some felt the gameplay loop became too repetitive over time.

Positive Highlights:

• Captivating Norse setting
• Deep RPG progression systems
• Visceral and varied combat
• Stunning visuals and art direction

Common Criticisms:

• The story pacing is uneven
• Much repetitive content
• Too familiar with AC formula at times

While not revolutionary, Valhalla delivered an ambitious and content-rich RPG adventure.

Tips for New Players

Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of AC Valhalla as a newcomer:

• Use your raven “Synin” frequently to scout and mark points of interest
• Complete wealth side activities for XP and gear upgrades
• Try different weapon types like spears and greatswords
• Recruit crew members for your longship for benefits
• Experiment with ranged abilities like the bow or throwing axes
• Utilize the parry and dodge defensive moves during fights
• Clear enemy camps stealthily when possible to save resources
• Upgrade your settlement early on for access to better gear and abilities

Take time exploring England, acquiring better gear, and learning the combat mechanics. The world is your playground as a Viking warrior.

Post-Launch Support and DLC

Ubisoft has supported AC Valhalla post-launch with frequent free updates adding new content and features including:

• River Raids game mode
• Settlement festivals
• New abilities and gear
• Mastery challenges
• Graphics/performance modes for new consoles

The game has also received two major narrative expansions so far:

• Wrath of the Druids – Explores Ireland
• Siege of Paris – Vikings attack Paris

These paid expansions provide 10+ hours of new story content and maps to conquer. More expansions are planned such as ‘Dawn of Ragnarök’ focused on Norse mythology.

Impact on the AC Series

As the first major next-gen installment, AC Valhalla ushered in key evolutions for the long-running franchise:

• Huge open world on par with The Witcher 3
• Customizable Viking longships
• Deeper RPG mechanics and looting
• Vastly improved combat system
• Major expansions supported post-launch

It built upon foundations like RPG progression from AC Origins and Odyssey while pushing visuals, combat, and scope to new levels. Fans and critics widely considered it a return to form for the seminal open world franchise.

Batman: Arkham City FAQs:

Story and Setting:

What’s the plot of Arkham City?

Batman is trapped in a fortified mega-prison filled with criminals and villains. He must navigate its treacherous alleys and rooftops, unravel a sinister plot, and escape with his life.

Can I explore Arkham City freely?

Yes, Arkham City is an open-world environment you can explore at your own pace, tackling side quests, collecting secrets, and engaging in random encounters.

Who are the main villains in the game?

The Penguin, Hugo Strange, Two-Face, and The Riddler all have major roles, with appearances by many other famous Batman villains.

Gameplay and Mechanics:

What combat styles does Batman have?

There are several combat styles, including hand-to-hand combat, predator takedowns, and ranged attacks with gadgets. You can seamlessly switch between them to defeat enemies creatively.

How does the Predator mode work?

Utilize stealth and gadgets to take down enemies silently, one by one. This adds a thrilling layer of strategy and tension to the game.

What gadgets does Batman have access to?

He uses a vast array of gadgets, including the Batarang, grappling hook, explosive gel, and smoke bombs. You can upgrade them throughout the game for enhanced functionality.

Technical and Other:

What platforms is Arkham City available on?

PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Does it have any DLC?

Yes, there are several story expansions and challenge maps available as DLC.

Do I need to play previous Batman games to understand Arkham City?

While it’s not essential, playing Arkham Asylum can provide some backstory and references. However, Arkham City is a standalone story that newcomers can enjoy.

Bonus:

I heard there are Easter eggs in the game. Any hints?

Keep an eye out for hidden Riddler trophies, secret rooms, and references to other Batman media.

What’s the best way to get good at combat?

Experiment with different gadgets and combat styles, and don’t be afraid to retry challenging encounters.

Any tips for finding all the secrets?

Pay attention to Riddler’s taunts and riddles, and explore every corner of Arkham City. You might be surprised what you find!

These are just some of the commonly asked questions about Batman: Arkham City. I hope they provide a helpful starting point for your Arkham Asylum adventures!