Assassin’s Creed Valhalla took the long-running Ubisoft franchise to the Viking Age when it launched in November 2020. Even in 2026, it remains one of the biggest and most content-rich entries in the series, with a massive open world, deep settlement building, and years of post-launch support. This guide covers everything you need to know, from the story of Eivor to every DLC and the best way to play today.
What Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an action role-playing game developed by Ubisoft Montreal, with support from over a dozen Ubisoft studios worldwide. You play as Eivor, a Viking raider who leads their clan across the North Sea to England during the Dark Ages of the 9th century.
The game blends the stealth and assassination roots of the franchise with large-scale Viking combat. Eivor can be customized as male or female, and you will build settlements, forge alliances, and raid monasteries to secure your clan’s future in a new land.
Story and Setting
Set in 873 AD, the story follows Eivor as they leave war-torn Norway and carve out a new home in England. The journey pits the clan against the forces of King Aelfred of Wessex, while a hidden conflict between the Assassins and the Order of the Ancients plays out in the background.
Valhalla is one of the most personal stories in the series. It deals heavily with themes of family, faith, and legacy, and it directly bridges the narrative gap between Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. If you enjoy deep lore, this entry rewards long-time fans while still welcoming newcomers.
Key Gameplay Features
Raiding is the signature mechanic. You can assemble your crew, sail a longship to enemy territories, and storm monasteries for supplies and raw materials. The revamped combat system lets you dual-wield almost any combination of weapons, including two-handed axes and shields.
Settlement building gives you a home base that grows as you progress. Upgrading buildings unlocks new services, quests, and cosmetic options. The world of England is split into territories, each with its own alliances, mysteries, and world events to discover.
Platforms and How to Play in 2026
Valhalla launched on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, and later became one of the first major titles available through cloud gaming services. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions run at 60 FPS with fast load times, making them the best way to experience the game on console.
If you are still deciding on hardware, our complete PlayStation 5 guide covers what the console offers for open-world games like this. For players who prefer streaming, Valhalla is also included in several top cloud gaming services, so you can play without a high-end PC or console.
Editions and DLC
At launch, Valhalla shipped in four editions: Standard, Gold, Ultimate, and Collector’s. The Gold Edition bundled the Season Pass, while the Ultimate Edition added the Ultimate Pack with exclusive cosmetics like the Berserker Gear Pack and Berserker Settlement Pack.
Today you mostly need the base game plus the Season Pass, since it includes the two big story expansions. Wrath of the Druids takes Eivor to Ireland, and The Siege of Paris brings the conflict to Francia. A third major expansion, Dawn of Ragnarok, is a mythological adventure sold separately.
The game also received several free updates, including the River Raids mode, Tombs of the Fallen, and The Last Chapter, which wrapped up Eivor’s story in late 2022. That means the complete experience is available now, and frequent Steam and Ubisoft Store sales make it easy to pick up at a discount.
Is It Worth Playing in 2026?
Absolutely. Few open-world games offer this much content, and the Viking setting remains fresh years after release. The game holds up visually on modern hardware, and the sheer number of systems, from raids to settlement management, keeps the loop engaging for dozens of hours.
If you enjoy Ubisoft’s other open worlds, you might also like our guide on Far Cry 6 and the tips in our Watch Dogs 2 free claim guide. Both share the same exploration-driven design philosophy as Valhalla.
FAQ
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla the best Assassin’s Creed game? It is one of the most successful and content-rich entries, though whether it beats Odyssey or Origins comes down to preference for the Viking setting and combat style.
Do I need to play other Assassin’s Creed games first? No. Valhalla works as a standalone story, though returning players will recognize connections to Origins and Odyssey.
How long does it take to beat Valhalla? The main story takes roughly 60 hours, and a full completionist run with every DLC can easily pass 140 hours.
Can I play as a female Eivor? Yes, you can choose a female, male, or let the game alternate between the two based on narrative choices.
