With Assassin's Creed: Valhalla just around the corner, fans are more than hyped to dive into another open-world RPG from the franchise — this time with a decidedly Nordic backdrop framing the stealthy action they know and love. Valhalla definitely won't be the first game set in that time period. But given that it'll be a hot minute before the title drops, those very fans might need something to tide them over.
Whether they're open-world adventure titles or simply share thematic similarities with the wintry Nordic setting of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, these games should help fill the gap while fans patiently await their turn to see how well Vikings factor into the Assassin's Creed formula.
10 The Witcher 3
There will likely be more than a few similarities between Witcher 3 and the upcoming game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. The Witcher 3 is an amazing open-world RPG game that has received universal acclaim, and it takes more than a few cues from classical folklore and mythology. It has a beautiful branching story that players feel in control of, a huge world to explore, tons of side quests, and unparalleled combat mechanics, making it a no-brainer for fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise's deep into deeper RPG territory.
9 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Need we say more? Skyrim was 2011's GOTY, and for a legion of fans all over the globe, it likely remained there for several years to come (on a personal level, anyway). The thematic overlap is likely obvious here, with the heavily Nordic-inspired setting of Skyrim itself. There's also the fact that this is more than enough to keep one busy in Valhalla hits — this massive open-world RPG features a virtually limitless range of quests, from helping out the locals with a rat infestation to slaying huge dragons, and that's before considering the incredible depth of easily-accessible community generated mods, some of which could be games unto themselves.
8 Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls is an action RPG game centered around huge bosses and challenges. All of the well-worn memetic references to its difficulty aside, the fun in Dark Souls 3 is the thrill of achievement. There is the utmost fulfillment of slaying an overwhelming goliath in Dark Souls 3.
Recent Assassin's Creed games' combat actually plays to a vein that's similar to that seen in the Dark Souls games, though the rhythm of combat in Dark Souls is far more purposeful and deadly. Whether in PVP or PVE, Dark Souls combat demands attention to detail, determination, and a willingness to learn from one's mistakes. Dark Souls 3 is the latest installment in the series, though really, any of the three titles would it in well here.
7 Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima has the same adrenaline-pumping fulfillment Dark Souls has, and its combat mechanics and the beautifully majestic world should be things any Assassin's Creed fan worth their salt can eagerly sink their teeth into. Fighting in Ghost Of Tsushima demands quick reflexes and a sharp eye, making players feel like a true swordsman during the Mongol invasion of Japan. Slaying enemies feels honorable as it is satisfying, with some new skills and strategies to pick up after every encounter. If players find the combat of Origins and Odyssey impactful and mesmerizing, then they will love Ghost Of Tsushima.
6 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is arguably one of the best medieval games centered around immersive medieval combat. The game takes place in Bohemia after the region is plunged into war, and invading soldiers are mercilessly pillaging the countryside. Players take control of Henry, a survivor who joins the resistance to raise arms against the invasion. Kingdom Come: Deliverance places huge importance on historical accuracy and simulated combat realism. The mechanics aren't something that will instantly click with Assassin's Creed fans, but the attention paid to historical accuracy surely will.
5 Far Cry Primal
Far Cry Primal takes the historical setting just a wee bit past Valhalla's, to say the least, but its fast-paced action and open-ended exploration would likely have a similar feeling to Valhalla's voyage-centered gameplay. In Primal, players control a stone-age neanderthal possessing predatory agility and bear-like strength; the same way the Vikings in Valhalla have brutal man-crushing abilities but also boast the sneakiness of a cat.
Far Cry games are amazing games to play when anticipating upcoming Assassin's Creed titles in general, really. The map exploration, side quests and activities, and so on appeal to the very same instincts.
4 Hitman
When waiting for a game about assassins, why not spend some time playing as the most iconic video game hitman to pass the time? The Hitman series follows Agent 47; A saboteur, an infiltrator, and an artist. He's like a sculptor who crafts the perfect kill to eliminate a highly-secured VIP. Playing as Agent 47, players don disguises, earn the trust of their target, sabotage key areas, and lure victims into well-placed traps; whether it be poisoning their drink or programming a billion-dollar operation machine to butcher the insides of a patient. The methodical and careful approach of the Hitman games is something Assassin's Creed players could gleefully spend hours on, creatively crafting the perfect kill.
3 For Honor
Another game by Ubisoft, For Honor clashes together different ancient military units of different civilizations to take part in nerve-wrackingly intense duels and glorious battles of epic proportions. In this game, valiant Knights of the European dark ages collide with Japanese samurai, Norse vikings, and Chinese warriors. For Honor is the ultimate melting pot of medieval warfare. Each faction has four playable classes, and each class has its own different specializations. This makes For Honor a really diverse medieval battle RPG built around an intuitive-yet-deep combat system Assassin's Creed fans will love.
2 God Of War
God Of War is the latest action-adventure game in its titular franchise, this time drawing directly on Norse mythology. The rest of the game's basis will be largely familiar to fans of the series — players follow Kratos on his conquest of slaying gods and mythological beasts, as per usual.
Kratos is a brutal and menacing demigod whose attacks leave a lasting impact on both the player and definitely on his enemies. On top of that, it also boasts a beautiful father-son journey through the realm of Midgard. God Of War checks all the primary boxes for stuff prospective Valhalla fans are hoping for: Norse mythology, stunning graphics, and bloody combat.
1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
The obvious game to play when waiting for a highly anticipated release would be the game that came before it. Odyssey takes place in ancient Greece and possesses some of the finest graphics a Ubisoft game has ever come out with. With the many varied weapons in Odyssey, the combat is a huge step from previous Assassin's Creed games, making it the franchise's biggest improvement. Odyssey is also the Assassin's Creed game most similar to the upcoming Valhalla with its varied dialogue selection, the option to play as male or female, and an entirely interactive world and storyline. Not to mention that with Valhalla just around the corner, a digital copy of Odyssey could likely be bought for a huge discount.