Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) Review: Conquer England as a Viking Legend!

Have you ever dreamt of sailing longships, wielding a mighty axe, and leading your clan to glory in a brutal yet beautiful land? If so, then Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) might just be your next epic adventure. As the latest installment in the globally beloved Assassin’s Creed series, Valhalla plunges players into the heart of the Viking Age, offering an expansive open world, visceral combat, and a deep, engaging narrative.

We’ve spent countless hours raiding, exploring, and building our settlement in England, and we’re ready to share our honest thoughts on whether Eivor’s saga is worth embarking upon.

What is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4)?

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) transports players to 9th-century England, a land ripe for conquest and steeped in Anglo-Saxon history. You play as Eivor Varinsdottir (male or female), a fierce Viking raider from Norway who leads their clan to establish a new home amidst the warring kingdoms. More than just a simple “stab ’em up,” Valhalla is an action RPG that blends historical exploration with Norse mythology, challenging combat, and strategic settlement building.

Key Features & Gameplay that Define the Saga

An Epic Viking Saga: Immerse yourself in a compelling story of family, loyalty, and conquest. Eivor’s journey to secure a future for their people is filled with memorable characters, political intrigue, and surprising twists.
Vast & Beautiful Open World: Explore four major kingdoms of Dark Age England – from the misty fens of East Anglia to the bustling streets of Winchester. Each region is distinct, offering unique landscapes, historical landmarks, and hidden secrets.
Brutal, Satisfying Combat: Combat in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) is visceral and impactful. Wield a wide array of Viking weaponry, from axes and shields to bows and spears, and engage in dynamic, dual-wielding battles. The finishing moves are particularly gruesome and satisfying!
Deep RPG Progression: Customize Eivor to your playstyle with a massive skill tree that offers both passive bonuses and powerful new abilities. Discover and upgrade a variety of gear, runes, and tattoos to truly make Eivor your own.
Settlement Building (Ravensthorpe): Your longhouse in Ravensthorpe isn’t just a hub; it’s a growing community. Invest resources to build new structures, recruit allies, and unlock new quests and features that benefit your clan.
Raids & Sieges: Lead your longship crew in exhilarating raids on monasteries and fortresses to gather supplies and resources. Engage in large-scale sieges, a highlight of the game, as you storm enemy strongholds alongside your Viking warriors.

The Pros: Why Valhalla Will Hook You

Immersive Viking Atmosphere: From the haunting longship songs to the brutal raids and the stunning recreations of Anglo-Saxon England, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla nails the Viking aesthetic. It truly feels like living out a historical epic.
Engaging Story & Lore: The main narrative, while long, is rich with intrigue, Norse mythology, and fascinating characters. Exploring the Isu lore and the historical context is a treat for fans.
Fantastic Combat Mechanics: The improved combat system is a highlight. Every axe swing feels weighty, and the ability to dual-wield nearly any weapon combination offers tremendous flexibility and fun.
Rewarding Exploration: The world is packed with things to discover – wealth, mysteries, and artifacts. Whether you’re hunting legendary beasts or solving cryptic puzzles, there’s always something to pull you off the main path.
The Ravensthorpe Settlement: Building up your home base provides a real sense of progression and purpose beyond just the main quests. It’s a charming hub that genuinely feels like your clan’s refuge.

The Cons: What to Consider

Open World Bloat: While vast, the sheer size of the map can sometimes lead to the feeling of repetition, especially during the mid-game. Some side activities can feel a bit samey after dozens of hours.
Pacing Issues: The story, though engaging, can occasionally feel slow, with certain arcs dragging on a bit longer than necessary. Prepare for a substantial time investment.
Stealth Can Be Underutilized: While stealth is an option, Valhalla often pushes you towards direct combat. For those who prefer the classic “Hidden Blade” approach, it might feel less emphasized than in previous AC titles.

User Impressions: What Players Are Saying

Players generally praise Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) for its compelling setting, satisfying combat, and incredible sense of scale. Many highlight the joy of raiding and the depth of the RPG systems. While some acknowledge the long playtime and occasional repetitive elements, the overall consensus is that it’s a strong, ambitious entry in the series that delivers a rich Viking experience. The post-launch support with new content and bug fixes has also been well-received, improving the experience for many.

Who is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Best For?

Fans of Viking history and Norse mythology: If you’re fascinated by this era, Valhalla is a treasure trove of content.
Open-world RPG enthusiasts: If you love exploring vast maps, deep progression systems, and engaging in hours of content, this is for you.
Players who enjoy brutal, impactful combat: Forget subtle stealth; Valhalla is about clashing axes and making your presence known.
Long-time Assassin’s Creed fans: While different from earlier titles, it retains the core AC DNA of historical exploration and a compelling overarching narrative.

Final Verdict & Recommendation

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) is an absolutely massive and incredibly ambitious game that largely delivers on its promise of a grand Viking saga. While it has its minor flaws, primarily related to pacing and the sheer volume of content, its strengths far outweigh them. The immersive world, visceral combat, and satisfying progression systems make Eivor’s journey a memorable one. If you’re looking for an epic adventure to lose yourself in for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours, then ready your longship.

Don’t miss out on this incredible journey into the Viking Age!

Unleash Your Inner Viking Today!

Ready to hoist the sails and forge your own legend in England? Click here to grab your copy of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) and begin your epic saga! You can find it right now on Amazon: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4).

Claim your place in Valhalla!

FAQ

Q. Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla primarily focused on Viking history, or does it also delve into the series’ overarching lore?
A. While AC Valhalla is deeply rooted in Viking Age England and Norway, allowing players to experience historical events and mythology, it extensively integrates the signature Assassin’s Creed lore. This includes the conflict between the Assassins (Hidden Ones) and the Templars (Order of the Ancients), the Isu civilization, and Layla Hassan’s modern-day story, all woven into Eivor’s journey.

Q. What kind of gameplay style can players expect from Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on PS4? Is it an action RPG?
A. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an action role-playing game (RPG) with a strong emphasis on open-world exploration, combat, and settlement building. Players will engage in brutal Viking combat, stealth assassinations, large-scale raids, and political intrigue. The RPG elements include skill trees, customizable gear, dialogue choices, and narrative decisions that impact the world and Eivor’s development.

Q. Are there any significant differences or limitations when playing Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on the PlayStation 4 compared to other platforms?
A. On PS4, players can expect a robust and complete experience, though visual fidelity and frame rate may not be as high as on PS5 or high-end PCs. The PS4 version typically runs at 30 frames per second, and loading times might be slightly longer. All core content, features, and gameplay mechanics are identical across platforms, ensuring the full Valhalla adventure is available on PS4.

Q. Does the base game of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS4) include any downloadable content (DLC) or expansions?
A. The standard base game of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for PS4 does not include any major story DLC or expansions. These, such as “Wrath of the Druids,” “The Siege of Paris,” and “Dawn of Ragnarök,” are typically sold separately as season passes or individual purchases. Some special editions, like the Gold or Ultimate Edition, bundled the Season Pass upon release.

Q. Approximately how long does it take to complete the main story of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and what about full completion?
A. The main storyline of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla can typically be completed in around 60-70 hours for players focusing primarily on story missions. However, for those looking to experience all side quests, exploration, collectibles, and complete all regions, total playtime can easily exceed 120-150 hours, and significantly more with all DLCs.

Q. Is the PS4 version of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla eligible for a free upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version?
A. Yes, Ubisoft offered a free digital upgrade for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla from the PlayStation 4 version to the PlayStation 5 version. If you own the PS4 disc, you’ll need a PS5 console with a disc drive to play the PS5 digital upgrade (the disc must be inserted to play). Digital PS4 purchases automatically grant access to the digital PS5 version on your account.