Although neither are the first AC game to feature DLC, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Valhalla have both shown what fans can expect more of in future installments: multiple releases and season passes. In AC Odyssey's Season Pass, players were treated to episodic structures for two DLC, Legacy of the First Blade and The Fate of Atlantis. For Valhalla, alongside some smaller events, players are getting access to two confirmed DLC as well, Wrath of the Druids and The Siege of Paris.
There's some obvious differences at first glance, such as Odyssey's DLC being episodic and Valhalla filtering in smaller content. However, there seems to be one big difference in the overall approach. Of course, despite AC Valhalla's Wrath of the Druids DLC releasing soon, there is the caveat of how little is known, but even a cursory glance notices that major myths seemingly won't play much of a role in Valhalla's DLC. SPOILERS FOR ASSASSIN'S CREED VALHALLA AHEAD.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey's Mythology and Atlantis
Of the two DLC, Legacy of the First Blade was the most grounded. It dealt with Darius, who was effectively the first Assassin, and his child coming into contact with Alexios/Kassandra. The story that follows, while open to much criticism, dealt with continuing the bloodline of Alexios/Kassandra, as the tainted one. However, the Fate of Atlantis was really the big eye-opening DLC which move the modern-day story along while bringing major myths to life, if only in a simulation. Layla witnesses the trials set forth by Aletheia while Alexios/Kassandra play Sherriff in Atlantis, all while dealing with major figures like Poseidon and Hades, and traveling through several mystical realms.
It really lays on the mythology thick, a point of contention for many in the AC community. It is just a simulation, though, all with the expressed purpose of helping Alexios/Kassandra (and thus Layla, hopefully) control the staff. The emphasis of mythology in Assassin's Creed Odyssey doesn't come out of the blue, though, as players deal with several mystical creatures like the Minotaur and the Medusa throughout the game (in fact, they need to in order to get this far). Nonetheless, it seems safe to say that mythology plays a much bigger role in AC Odyssey's DLC than it does in the main game.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Mythology and Upcoming DLC
The reverse appears to be true in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Throughout the main game, players are constantly dealing with Norse interpretations of the Isu. Not only is there an Asgard story arc that sees players witness the Gods trying to prevent Ragnarok, but they dive into Jotunheim and explore several mythological stories found within this culture.
It's all revealed to be a mind trick, more or less, as the events that Eivor sees do happen but in a context that she cannot comprehend. All of this is possible because Eivor is a reincarnation of Odin, so despite however someone feels about the use of mythology in Assassin's Creed, it's undeniably present in the main story of the game.
However, as players do see the Isu storyline come to an end and realize how they survived Ragnarok, there seems to be a total wrap on this idea. Both Assassin's Creed Valhalla DLCs, as revealed so far, deal with more historical ideals than mythological ones. For example, The Siege of Paris sees players unlock a new map, West Francia, and go to war with Charles the Fat. Players will be involved in "the Vikings' most daring conquest" where they must "infiltrate the city of Paris, forge new alliances within its walls, and strike a blow that will shatter an empire."
Of course, some core tenets of the franchise will be present, as The Order of the Ancients return in this DLC (via the recent AC Valhalla DLC achievement leak), but it seems the primary focus will be on the history in this moment.
At the same time, the first major AC Valhalla DLC Wrath of the Druid seemingly toes the line a little more. In it, players will travel to Ireland and unlock new features like Ring Forts and Smuggling, while attempting to "win the favor of Gaelic Kings." The overarching story is still up in the air more or less, but players do know that, instead of the Order of the Ancients, players will be engaging another cult: The Children of Danu. There may be some elements of mysticism here, but it doesn't seem likely to go as deep as the base game did in its presentation of this cult. For now, that's just speculation, but it doesn't seem likely that Eivor will come face-to-face with Danu for example.
The Game-Changer: Assassin's Creed Valhalla DLC 3 Meteor
Overall, it seems safe to say that, where the mythology really took off in AC Odyssey's DLC, its strongest presence in Valhalla will be the main game. The new DLC may be better for it, depending on the story being told. It's likely this DLC moves the modern-day story forward, though, as Odyssey's did, and that in and of itself could be a big deal. One final caveat that should be noted is the recently leaked AC Valhalla DLC 3: Meteor.
Recently discovered in game code, it's possible this DLC was cut, comes later, or was changed in some big way, but there's a clear designation that a new game located in "Meteor" would change. It's obviously a code name, one that could imply so mythological element as dealing with some catastrophe, but it remains to be seen. For now, fans should expect to engage Charles the Fat and adventure around Ireland, with a little less myth than AC Odyssey.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.