Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, released in 2020, was a big entry in the franchise, but it wasn’t without its controversies. Despite its positive reception from critics, fans were split. While some praised the game for its big world and Viking fantasy, others found it overwhelming and repetitive.
According to players, Valhalla struggled to maintain the same level of engagement due to unnecessary bloat compared to Odyssey and Origins. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows releasing later this year, fans can only hope that Ubisoft has listened to the feedback and changed thing.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Was Far from Perfect According to Fans
One of the main problems fans have with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is its excessive map bloat. While the game’s world is vast and visually stunning, it is also cluttered with points of interest that often lack meaningful engagement.
Many players have said they want a straighter experience, where the quality of activities outweighs the quantity. Assassin’s Creed Shadows would benefit greatly from a more streamlined approach, prioritizing quality over quantity.
AC Valhalla is a slog – and unnecessarily so
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Repetition was another significant issue in Valhalla. The combat, while initially enjoyable, lacked the depth and variety needed to sustain interest over 100+ hours of gameplay.
The game’s excessive length combined with the lack of variety is probably the most discussed issue in the community. But Shadows has already shown that it can have the best of both worlds with its dual protagonist approach.
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byu/markjricks from discussion
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The game simply lacked the diversity it needed in its combat system and enemy types to sustain it over the more than a hundred hours that it demanded from players.
Assassin’s Creed Shadow Has So Much Feedback That It Can Implement From Previous Titles
The shift away from stealth elements was also a point of contention. Originally a stealth-focused franchise, Assassin’s Creed has increasingly leaned towards action. Valhalla‘s Viking theme didn’t lend itself well to stealth gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has to have a serious tone
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But it seems Ubisoft already knows this since they brought back a lot of stealth factors with Assassin’s Creed Mirage in 2023.
Shadows could take this even further and bring the series back to its true roots. Especially in a setting like Feudal Japan which is the perfect way to do it.
(rant) Ac Valhalla Micro Transactions
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Another area where Valhalla fell short was in its implementation of live service elements and microtransactions. Players who spent hours earning epic weapons found their accomplishments overshadowed by purchasable items.
While live service content and microtransactions are unlikely to disappear, Ubisoft should try to make sure that any additional content doesn’t feel too scummy for players.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has the potential to be the title that truly brings the franchise back to its former glory. But this is only possible if Ubisoft listens to the feedback from Valhalla.
Will you be picking up Assassin’s Creed Shadows later this year? Let us know in the comments!
