After 13 years since the first-ever Assassin’s Creed franchise was introduced worldwide, Ubisoft Singapore has officially launched its newest edition Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla Nov. 10. It is now available on all major gaming platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Stadia.

“We’ve all been passionate about this brand, and constantly strive to push the quality of our world’s quest, animation art, and they’re continuing to bring new and innovative content features to the series,” said Bill Money, game director of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla of Ubisoft Singapore.

Assassin’s Creed history

Assassin’s Creed is based on a book titled Alamut by Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol. It consists of 11 main games and 17 spin-off games, in addition to a movie, several short films, and novels. It is the best-selling franchise of Ubisoft Singapore and it will be 35 years old in March 2021.

The game was originally titled Prince of Persia: Assassins. The map on Assassin’s Creed is modeled after Paris and is close to its size. Its main game spans from 1191 to the mid-2010s, putting the timeline to around 820 years. But the backstory itself goes back to over 2,500 years.

What to expect from Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla?

In Valhalla, Ubisoft said gamers across the world could explore a mysterious and beautiful open world set against the brutal backdrop of England’s Dark Ages through Eivor, a fierce Viking warrior raised on tales of battle and glory.

Money said they should also expect raged wars and the formation of political power in the quest to earn a place among the gods in Valhalla, the age of the Vikings.

“We started with a lofty goal to create the Viking experience in the Assassin’s Creed world. But how? First, research team members from studios all across the world, including Singapore, converges on Norway and England to deep dive in what it means to be a Viking,” he said.

Ubisoft Singapore has worked closely with its partners in Chengdu, China, and Manila, Philippines to collaborate on the franchise of Assassin’s Creed, its biggest release since 2018.

Key features

• WRITE YOUR VIKING SAGA– Advanced RPG mechanics allow you to shape the growth of your character and influence the world around you.
• VISCERAL COMBAT SYSTEM – Dual-wield powerful weapons such as axes, swords, and even shields to relive the ruthless fighting style of the Viking warriors.
• A DARK AGE OPEN WORLD– Sail from the harsh and mysterious shores of Norway to the beautiful but forbidding kingdoms of England and beyond.
• LEAD EPIC RAIDS – Launch massive assaults against Saxon troops and fortresses throughout England. Lead your clan in surprise attacks from your longship and pillage enemy territories to bring riches and resources back to your people.
• GROW YOUR SETTLEMENT– Construct and upgrade buildings that allow for deep customization, including a barracks, blacksmith, tattoo parlor, and more.
• MERCENARY VIKINGS– Create and customize a unique Viking raider within your clan and share it online with friends to use during their raids.

Valhalla’s uniqueness

One thing that is unique to Valhalla edition, Ubisoft said the player could choose to play a horse male or female and could switch it anytime. The player could also choose how to customize their character with different gear, weapons, and cosmetics.

“So at a high level, we focused on three main topics, terrain, culture, and activities. We immersed ourselves in the landscape, people, and history of our areas,” he said.

He added that they could also customize their skills and abilities with hundreds of choices to make the character play and fight how they wish.

The story of Valhalla is all about “choice.”

According to the game director, each territory has a full-length movie that would give the player the time to understand the motivations of the characters around them.

“They can spend time to deep dive into the stories and plots and then make decisions which are in the best interest of themselves and their client,” Money said.

It would not be an Assassin’s Creed game without combat.

Valhalla has also brought back the hidden blade for quick and stealthy assassinations. “The suit and the style of the Viking combat has been made even more brutal and visceral.”

“Many new weapons combat moods and there are also a new variety of enemies to challenge the player skill and cutting,” he added.

What’s next after this?

Money said the Siege of Paris will be the second DLC for Valhalla and it will be available in the summer of 2021.

“We will now move forward 10 years and move on to the European continent, a Francia modern-day France. The player will then be able to take part in the siege of Paris,” he said.