Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is generally well-regarded, but its sprawling scale is also its most divisive feature. Reviews praise its Viking setting, story moments, and combat; whether it is worth playing depends largely on whether you want a long, open-world RPG or a more tightly paced adventure.
What is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla about?
You play as Eivor, a Viking raider who leaves Norway for ninth-century England. The adventure revolves around establishing a settlement, raiding locations, exploring the landscape, and forging alliances. Those activities are central to the game’s premise, as Ubisoft’s official game page describes.
That setup gives the game a distinct identity within the series: Viking-era England and the growth of Eivor’s settlement provide a setting and purpose for a broad adventure, rather than a compact, mission-led campaign.
What do reviews say about Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Metacritic’s page snapshot, accessed October 8, 2026, lists an 80 Metascore from 50 critic reviews and labels the reception “Generally Favorable.” The same snapshot shows a 6.1 user score from 4,161 ratings. These are figures from that dated snapshot, not permanent scores; user totals and scores can change. Metacritic’s review page covers review contexts across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
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The broadly positive critical picture comes with substantial differences in what reviewers value. The setting, memorable story beats, and action appeal to many critics, while the amount of content and the pacing can make the experience feel overextended to others.
What reviewers praise
Viking-era setting and sense of adventure
Exploring England, building a settlement, and going on raids give the game a strong sense of place and a clear thematic focus. The setting is one of its main attractions for players looking for an open-world adventure with a different historical backdrop from earlier entries.
Rank #2
- Viking Warrior Experience: Step into the role of Eivor, a fierce Viking raider driven by tales of battle and glory, as you lead your clan from the harsh shores of Norway to the rich lands of England's Dark Ages
- Epic Raiding Gameplay: Launch devastating raids on Saxon troops and fortresses, gathering resources and wealth to strengthen your clan while carving your path through a beautifully realized open world
- Settlement Building: Establish and expand your own Viking settlement, constructing buildings, recruiting new clan members, and customizing your growing community to create a thriving home for your people
- Political Power Dynamics: Forge strategic alliances with various kingdoms and factions across England, making critical decisions that shape your influence and determine your clan's future in a land torn by conflict
- PlayStation 5 Optimized: Experience enhanced graphics, faster loading times, and immersive gameplay designed specifically for PlayStation 5 hardware, bringing the Viking Age to life with stunning visual fidelity
Story moments and narrative risks
Some reviewers respond to the tale’s memorable moments and willingness to take narrative risks, though they note that it can take time to build momentum. In GameSpot’s launch review roundup, reviewer Jordan Ramée wrote: “It takes a little while to build momentum, but when it hits its stride, Valhalla is a confident Assassin’s Creed title that takes a few narrative risks which, as a whole, pay off,” GameSpot’s roundup also reflects the mostly positive, but not unanimous, response at launch.
Combat and changes to the series formula
Reviews praise the game’s visceral combat and refinements to the series’ RPG direction. There is also an appeal for longtime fans in the way some older Assassin’s Creed elements return. Daily Star’s review, as quoted on Metacritic, welcomed that renewed connection to the franchise’s classic elements. Other criticism points to shortcomings in combat and AI, so the response is not uniformly enthusiastic.
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Rank #3
- Lead epic Viking raids against Saxon troops and fortresses
- Relive the visceral fighting style of the Vikings as you dual-wield powerful weapons
- Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of enemies ever in Assassin's Creed
- Shape the growth of your character and your clan's settlement with every choice you make
- Explore a Dark Age open world, from the harsh shores of Norway to the beautiful kingdoms of England
What are the main criticisms?
Length and an expansive activity loop
The breadth that makes Valhalla attractive to players seeking a substantial adventure can become a burden if you want a focused campaign. PC Gamer’s retrospective criticism argues that pushing the previous RPG formula further can leave the game feeling unfocused and overextended. PC Gamer’s review is a useful counterpoint to praise for the game’s scale.
Uneven pacing
The story may take a while to find its stride, and the broad structure means its momentum can feel uneven. If you prefer a shorter story that moves steadily from one major plot beat to the next, the size of the adventure is a meaningful drawback, not just an optional extra.
Rank #4
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla leverages the smart delivery technology - buy the game once and play it on either Xbox One or Xbox series x when both the console and that version of Assassin's Creed Valhalla are available
- Pre-order to get access to the bonus mission, The way of the Berserker
- join a legendary Norse Berserker on his quest for revenge
- write your Viking saga - advanced RPG mechanics allow you to shape the growth of your character and influence the world around you
- write your Viking saga - advanced RPG mechanics allow you to shape the growth of your character and influence the world around you.visceral combat system - dual-wield powerful weapons such as axes, swords, and even shields to relive the ruthless fighting style of the Viking warriors.a dark Age open world
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla worth playing?
It is a strong fit if you enjoy a large open world, Viking history and atmosphere, action-focused combat, and a story that unfolds across an extended adventure. It is a less natural fit if you want a brisk campaign, consistently tight pacing, or a focused return to the older series format. Reviews suggest the game incorporates some classic elements, but its newer RPG approach remains central.
For someone deciding whether to buy it, the central question is not whether the game is broadly acclaimed—it is—but whether its length and open-ended activity structure sound enjoyable. A favorable aggregate score cannot settle that preference for you.
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Release and editions
Metacritic lists the release date as November 10, 2020, and Ubisoft Montreal as the developer. Ubisoft’s page references Gold and Ultimate editions, but edition contents, availability, and pricing vary and are not established here. Check the current listing for your region and platform before choosing an edition. Platform-specific differences are also not covered by the general review snapshot, so consult a review or product listing for the version you intend to play.
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