Game images by RAWG
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft Montreal
About This Game
Super ReviewAssassin's Creed Valhalla offers an epic Viking saga with rich historical context, allowing players to lead raids and build a settlement. While its Discovery Tour provides educational value, parents must weigh this against frequent graphic violence, mature sexual themes, and depictions of drug and alcohol use. The game's daily quests can also create pressure for continued play.
Super Review
Parent verdict
Assassin's Creed Valhalla presents a sprawling open-world adventure with a compelling historical backdrop, making it a good choice for mature players interested in Viking history and intense action. However, its 'Good' health score of 61 reflects significant mature content risks, including graphic violence, sexual themes, and substance use, which necessitate careful consideration. It's best for families with older, discerning players who can engage with complex themes and combat responsibly, and with clear limits set around play time.
What players actually do
- Players explore vast open-world environments across Norway and England, discovering historical landmarks and hidden secrets while navigating diverse landscapes.
- Players engage in visceral combat using a variety of Viking weaponry, leading raids on enemy strongholds and Saxon armies to acquire resources and expand their influence.
- Players develop a personal settlement, making choices that influence its growth and unlocking new facilities, while also customizing their character's appearance and gear.
Where it shines
- The dedicated Discovery Tour mode allows players to learn about Viking history and culture through interactive, non-violent quests developed with historians, offering a unique educational experience.
- Players have extensive opportunities for character customization, from Eivor's appearance and gear to tattoos and war paint, fostering personal expression within the Viking theme.
Parent watch-outs
- The game features strong graphic violence, including decapitation, dismemberment, and detailed injury animations, with pervasive blood and gore effects.
- Mature themes are regularly depicted, including sexual content with partial nudity, suggestive scenes, and missions set within brothels.
- Players encounter and participate in the use of drugs (hallucinatory mushrooms) and alcohol (drinking contests causing impaired movement).
- Daily and weekly quests, alongside a rotating in-game store for unique items, can create a sense of urgency and pressure to log in regularly to avoid missing out.
Family rules worth setting
- Establish clear time limits for daily play sessions to manage engagement with potentially addictive daily quests and the overall expansive world.
- Consider playing alongside or reviewing gameplay with older players to discuss the historical context and mature themes presented, especially regarding violence and social interactions.
Talk about this
- Discuss the historical accuracy of the game's portrayal of Viking life versus the fictionalized elements, using the Discovery Tour as a starting point.
- Talk about responsible decision-making in games, particularly concerning the mature themes and potentially addictive monetization mechanics, and how they might influence choices.
Play style
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is primarily a single-player, open-world action RPG that rewards exploration and methodical progression through story arcs. Sessions can range from short bursts to tackle daily contracts, to lengthy adventures for deep dives into quests and exploration. The difficulty is adjustable, but combat is visceral and challenging, requiring players to master various weapon types and abilities. Players will largely play alone, but can share custom Viking mercenaries online for others to recruit. Younger players might need help navigating complex menus or particularly challenging combat encounters.
Score Breakdown
Positive Aspects
Risk Factors
Why this rating
Educational Value
4/5Assassin's Creed Valhalla earns a strong 4 for Educational Value, primarily due to its 'Discovery Tour: Viking Age' mode. This dedicated, non-violent feature provides an interactive museum experience, offering rich insights into Viking history and culture, developed with historical experts.
Addictive Monetization
2/5The game scores a 2 for Addictive Monetization due to its use of 'Helix Credits' for cosmetic items and resource packs, purchased with real money. While not directly pay-to-win, the presence of a premium currency and rotating store items can encourage spending.
Time Pressure / FOMO
3/5Time Pressure receives a 3 because the game incorporates daily and weekly quests that reward 'Opals' for unique, rotating store items. This system can create a significant 'Fear of Missing Out' (FOMO) for players who wish to acquire specific equipment.
Content Intensity
3/5Content Intensity is rated a 3 due to the game's depiction of graphic violence, including decapitation and dismemberment, and pervasive blood and gore. Furthermore, it includes mature sexual themes with partial nudity and suggestive scenes, and depictions of drug and alcohol use.
Creativity
3/5Creativity scores a 3 because players have notable freedom in customizing their protagonist, Eivor, through gender choice, appearance, gear, and tattoos. Additionally, players can create and share custom Jomsviking mercenaries, offering a unique social-creative outlet.
Negatives
- •The game contains strong graphic violence, including decapitation and dismemberment, with blood and gore effects.
- •Mature themes are present, including sexual content with partial nudity, missions in brothels, and suggestive scenes.
- •The game depicts the use of drugs (hallucinatory mushrooms) and alcohol, with impaired character movements.
- •There is pressure to log in daily to complete contracts for unique items from a regularly changing store, creating a sense of urgency.
Positives
- •Players can learn about Viking history and culture through the dedicated Discovery Tour mode, developed with historians.
- •There are opportunities for character customization, including appearance, gear, and tattoos, allowing for personal expression.
- •Players can create and share custom Viking mercenaries (Jomsvikings) online, with others recruiting them for raids, offering a light social interaction.
- •The core gameplay loop involves exploration, completing story arcs, and leading raids, providing a rich adventure experience.
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Official Ratings
No official ratings available.
Age Fit
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