The Viking fantasy that became Ubisoft's second most profitable title

Cultures · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2020, Assassin's Creed Valhalla launched to massive success, breaking series records. But beneath the brutal raids and Norse mythology lies a complex web of historical fiction, ancient simulations, and a centuries-old war between two secret orders.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal over three years, Valhalla serves as the twelfth main installment in the Assassin's Creed series. Set primarily between 872 and 878 AD, the game follows Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider attempting to establish a clan in the British Isles. While the setting evokes the expansion of Vikings into Anglo-Saxon kingdoms like Wessex and Mercia, the narrative is layered with a framing story set in the 21st century. Here, Assassin Layla Hassan uses the Animus to relive Eivor's memories, driven by a mission to save Earth from a strengthening magnetic field.

The gameplay mechanics reflect a deliberate attempt to refine the series' formula. Following feedback from its predecessor, Odyssey, the developers reintroduced 'social stealth'—allowing players to hide within crowds—and expanded combat to include dual-wielding and new weapon types like flails. The game also features a deep connection to Norse mythology, utilizing 'Odin Sight' and a companion raven named Sýnin. Players manage a settlement, Ravensthorpe, which grows through successful raids and the collection of resources, a feature absent from the series since 2013's Black Flag.

At its core, the story explores the intersection of history and science fiction. The conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order is mirrored by the struggle between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. As the narrative progresses, the boundaries between historical reality and the memories of the Isu—an advanced, pre-human civilization—blur. This culminates in the revelation that Eivor, Sigurd, and Basim are reincarnations of the Norse figures Loki, Odin, and Tyr, respectively, turning a Viking saga into a cosmic struggle for survival.

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