For every iteration, gamers get excited where the Assassin's Creed franchise will take players next. After all, history is everyone's playground. The series has been all throughout time, from the Aegean war to the industrial revolution and everywhere else in between. It's more often than not that the setting is important, because that makes an Assassin's Creed game. On top of that its the features. The series has evolved from a stealth-based action game to a full-blown RPG.
But, when going to the beginning of the Viking era in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players can expect more changes. Here's are game elements that are definitely coming back bigger and better from the previous game, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and things we hope will improve.
10 Confirmed: Instant Kill
In the latest entry of the series, the iconic hidden blade has been removed, which not many liked. The hidden blade makes an Assassins what they are. While in the crowd, they can hide then come in for a killing blow from behind.
In Odyssey, replacing the hidden blade is the spear of Leonidas, which can act as a hidden blade, but doubles as an off-handed sword. Fans are both on board or even a little skeptical about the new release, but social stealth, the feature that many have copied since, will make a return.
9 Hoping For: Map Size
The map size is still up for debate, ever since the game was announced Ubisoft has been all over the place explaining it. Still, it's something to talk about. The map size should be big enough for the world to speak for itself, and be full of things to do.
Larger doesn't mean better, and a complaint about Odyssey was that it was too big and too much for an Assassin's Creed game. So to improve on what Odyssey did Valhalla's map should big enough for adventure but small enough that it's not a chore to do things.
8 Confirmed: Less Grind
This is a massive improvement, not only did the world feel so bloated, but in order to do more, players need to level up. This is something that became quite repetitive and took away from the experience. This was something that players have been wanting, and it seems that the developers listened.
It'll be more fluid and less cumbersome, that is pretty exciting. Going back basics that have made the series what it was is something to look forward to.
7 Hoping For: Combat
The combat is a pretty important element in the series. The assassins in each game have their own style in how they take care of business. The community already knows a lot about this game because Ubisoft has given a ton of detail, especially the weapons that Evior will be using.
But, the style of combat is something unknown. In the past, each Assassin has their own distinct way to dispatch Templars. Mixing in the brutal fighting style of the Viking with the stylized, cat-like reflexes of the assassins could be very interesting.
6 Confirmed: Choices
When Odyessy brought the dialogue option, Ubisoft was showing that they're doing more with series. This is a great addition to it, because Odyessy had several different endings.
Taking this mechanic over to Valhalla is a great move, because the actions of what each player does impacts the world around them and could lead to multiple endings. Choices are a good way to give the player freedom to create the world they want to experience.
5 Hoping For: Naval
Naval combat isn't really new in the series, it was first brought in Assassin's Creed 3, and many games after have been evolving the formula. In Odyssey the naval side served as two things, transport and combat. Going to sea, engaging in warfare, boarding the ships, and killing the army on board was satisfying.
During the Viking times, ships were present and used, but not in the same capacity as their Greek counterparts. So the interesting part will be how the game uses the ships, for transport or something else.
4 Confirmed: Dual Wielding
As the trailer and photos have shown the players, dual-wielding will be a part of the combat. This is a great addition since Odyssey, players can only use bows in one hand and a melee weapon in the other.
This allows for the combat itself to look sharper and more savage. The Vikings used everything as weapons, even their shields. So, doing combos with a shield or an ax could be something that gives the player more freedom when fighting.
3 Hoping For: Raids
While they are confirmed, their capacity isn't. How they impact the player's world and what will happen after they're done hasn't been confirmed yet.
After a raid is done, will players need to deal with the outcome of that raid? Even though Ubisoft at the moment says that these raids are just for gathering resources, one can't help but wonder if there's more.
2 Confirmed: Settlements
This is a neat add on. Players can build settlements that invite other clans to join, in the hopes to grow the settlement.
These settlements will probably act like places where Eivor can stock up on things he needs for the mission or fast travel location. If other clans can attack the player's settlement, that opens up for even more gameplay. The player would need to have defenses and be there to protect it.
1 Hoping For: Present Day Story
Players hooking up to a machine called the animus has to be the most confusing part of the series. In that machine, the present-day protagonists relive their ancestor's lives through DNA. That's where the assassins come into play. This connects the lore of the series altogether.
The issue is that it's not as detailed as the historical side, and not a lot of players know or care about it. In Valhalla, making the future story more fleshed out and important will be something to enjoy.