Although Assassin's Creed Valhalla is more akin to Origins and Odyssey, several reveals have confirmed that it is bringing back several classic features. This ranges from elements of social stealth to the instakill hidden blade, to post-assassination confessions and even the loading screen.
In previous games, Assassin's Creed players could spend the loading screen time walking around, brandishing weapons, and jumping for no good reason. It may be a bit outdated, especially for the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game which look to eliminate load times, but fans are happy to see more classics return. However, Assassin's Creed Valhalla does so with a twist.
Past loading screens typically have the characters walking around a white screen whilst the animus loads. This loading screen allows Assassin's Creed Valhalla fans to walk around as Eivor but on water. As first seen below via Access the Animus, Eivor can be seen walking around on waves of water, but upon looking up, fans can also get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. It also seems that what is seen exactly changes based on either the specific loading screen or how players look, but it's a nice touch.
Of course, the practicality of such a thing is up for questioning. On the current-gen versions of the game, players may be able to spend some time here, as Assassin's Creed Valhalla has not commented on expected load times there. But again, with the game presumably launching around the same time as the PS5 and Xbox Series X (and keep its next-gen release date a secret), many may opt to play the game on those consoles instead.
PS5 and Xbox Series X may not eliminate load times altogether, but they severely diminish them. How that manifests in games such as AC Valhalla remains to be seen, but fans may want to act quick to grab a view of the Northern Lights before the loading screen comes to an end. Many would likely consider this a good problem to have, especially combined with how Assassin's Creed fans get the best of both worlds this year.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla releases November 17, 2020, for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions to follow.