The Siege of Paris received a mixed-to-positive critical response. Its optional, multi-route assassination missions and stronger emphasis on stealth were the expansion’s clearest strengths, while reviewers who wanted bigger story stakes or a substantial change to Valhalla’s familiar open-world formula were less impressed. It is best suited to players who already enjoy the base game and want a darker, stealth-focused side story.
How are The Siege of Paris reviews?
Reviews split largely over what players want from a Valhalla expansion. Critics who valued carefully structured assassinations and the chance to choose an approach found a welcome return to recognizable Assassin’s Creed stealth. Others saw a short, familiar excursion with repetitive activities and limited narrative or mechanical novelty.
![PS5 - Assassin's Creed Valhalla - [PAL EU - NO NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51efoxSepyL._SL160_.jpg)
That makes the consensus mixed to positive rather than unanimous praise. The expansion’s appeal depends less on a single score than on whether its more deliberate infiltration missions sound more attractive than a major change to the base game’s formula.
What did critics like?
Optional, multi-route assassinations
The black-box assassination missions were the most distinctive feature in positive reviews. Push Square praised them as a highlight, while GAMES.CH welcomed the expanded stealth options and their resemblance to classic Assassin’s Creed. GameSpot’s review roundup also noted positive reactions to the stronger mission structure and infiltration missions. Push Square, GAMES.CH, GameSpot
#1 Best Overall
- 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
These missions are the strongest reason to consider the DLC if you miss choosing how to approach a target. They give stealth and player choice more room than the broader expansion package otherwise might suggest.
Darker tone and a focused story
Some reviewers also responded to the darker tone and a brisker, more focused story. VG247 reviewer James Billcliffe, in a sentence reproduced by GameSpot’s August 11, 2021 roundup, called it “a worthy add-on with a good story and great emphasis on more interactive gameplay.” That is one reviewer’s assessment, not a guarantee that every player will find the story equally compelling.
Rank #2
- 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 did critics criticize?
Familiar activities and repetition
Some reviews found the expansion too close to the base game’s established routine. GameSpot’s roundup summarized concerns about repetitive challenges, a smaller environment than Wrath of the Druids, and a less interesting atmosphere. Players already tired of Valhalla’s open-world tasks may therefore find less to enjoy here.
Story stakes and limited novelty
Other reservations concerned the stakes and the impact of player choices: Metacritic’s critic excerpts include the view that choices ultimately felt inconsequential. More broadly, critics who wanted a substantial shift in mechanics or narrative were less likely to see the expansion as essential. These are recurring criticisms, not a unanimous verdict.
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- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
What does The Siege of Paris add to Valhalla?
Ubisoft released the expansion on August 12, 2021. It takes Eivor to Frankia during the Viking conflict around Paris and builds toward the siege. Ubisoft describes its main additions as infiltration missions with multiple routes and approaches, rebel missions where players build and equip a squad, scythe weapons, and new abilities involving bombs, sickness, and rat swarms. Ubisoft’s release announcement
The package’s defining idea is not a wholesale redesign of Valhalla, but a darker Frankia excursion with optional stealth approaches at its center. That distinction explains why the same expansion can feel like a satisfying series callback to one player and a familiar DLC side trip to another.
Rank #4
Does The Siege of Paris require the base game?
Yes. The Siege of Paris is an expansion, not a standalone game. Steam’s listing explicitly requires Assassin’s Creed Valhalla; Ubisoft describes access through the Season Pass or as a separate purchase for Valhalla players. Steam says the Season Pass includes Wrath of the Druids, The Siege of Paris, and The Legend of Beowulf bonus quest. Check the relevant store for current regional availability and platform compatibility; Ubisoft’s launch announcement listed platforms available in 2021, not a guarantee of current availability. The US Ubisoft Store listing also says PC play requires a Ubisoft account and Ubisoft Connect. Steam DLC listing, Ubisoft US Store listing
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the user ratings say?
| Service | Snapshot | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic | 6.2 from 90 user ratings; 38% positive, 37% mixed, and 26% negative, accessed October 7, 2026 | Displayed percentages are rounded and total 101%. This is a time-specific snapshot, not a permanent score. Metacritic user reviews |
| Steam | 49% positive from 216 all-time user reviews, accessed October 7, 2026 | A separate population and review system; it is not directly comparable to Metacritic’s rating sample. Steam DLC listing |
These figures reinforce the divided response, but they measure different groups and formats. Neither figure establishes sales or how many people played the expansion.
Best Value
- Discover a tightly crafted, narrative-driven action-adventure experience that follows the transformation of a defiant young man into a refined Master Assassin.
- Journey to Alamut, the legendary home of the Assassins who laid the foundations of the Creed in this heartfelt homage to the game that started it all.
- Experience a modern take on the iconic features and gameplay that have defined a franchise for 15 years as you parkour seamlessly through the city and stealthily take down targets with more visceral assassinations than ever before.
- Explore an incredibly dense and vibrant city whose inhabitants react to your every move, and uncover the secrets of four unique districts as you venture through the Golden Age of Baghdad.
- If you already own the PS4 version of this game, you can get the PS5 digital version at no extra cost and you do not need to purchase this product. Owners of a PS4 disc copy must insert it into the PS5 every time they want to download or play the PS5 digital version. PS4 game disc owners who buy the PS5 Digital Edition disc-free console will not be able to get the PS5 version at no extra cost.
Is The Siege of Paris worth it?
It is most likely to suit players who own and still enjoy Valhalla, especially those who want more deliberate stealth and multi-route assassination missions. The darker setting and focused story may also appeal if you want another Eivor adventure without expecting a new overall formula.
Consider waiting or skipping it if repetitive open-world activities are what wore you down in the base game, or if you want much higher stakes and a major change in how Valhalla plays. The critical split is essentially a choice between valuing the stealth-led missions and wanting the expansion to feel more substantially new.
Quick Recap
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