Assassin's Creed Valhalla Review Roundup

Assassin's Creed Valhalla launches this week, and reviews have gone live for Ubisoft's second sandbox set in Britain this year after October's Watch Dogs: Legion. Coming off of the well-received Assassin's Creed Odyssey in 2018, Valhalla had a high benchmark to clear and most critics agree that this latest chapter more than manages to live up to expectations.

A more focused adventure with interesting new tweaks to the core gameplay, Eivor's journey across England in its dark ages has resulted in mostly positive reviews from various outlets.

In GameSpot's Assassin's Creed Valhalla review, we scored the game 8/10. "It takes a little while to build momentum, but when it hits its stride, Valhalla is a confident Assassin's Creed title that takes a few narrative risks which, as a whole, pay off," critic Jordan Ramée wrote.

We've got several reviews listed below from other outlets, and you can also check out GameSpot sister-site Metacritic to read up on what other critics have to say.

• Game: Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
• Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
• Release date: November 10
• Price: $60 / £52 / $68 AUD

GameSpot - 8/10

"There have been so many lingering threads since Desmond's death, and only more have been created with the introduction of the Sages, new Pieces of Eden, the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order, and the now fairly convoluted modern-day storyline. Valhalla resolves all of this in an incredibly satisfying way. It does for the series what Assassin's Creed III did back in 2012: It clears the board while also paving the way for something brand new." -- Jordan Ramée

IGN - 8/10​

"Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a massive, beautiful open-world fueled by brutal living and the dirty work of conquerors. It's a lot buggier than it should be but also impressive on multiple levels. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a big, bold, and ridiculously beautiful entry to the series that finally delivers on the much-requested era of the Viking and the messy, political melting pot of England's Dark Ages. It walks a fine line between historical tourism, top-shelf conspiracy theory, and veiled mysticism against the backdrop of a grounded and focused story." -- Brandin Tyrrel [Full review]

Gamesradar - 4.5/5​

"With a sprawling world to conquer and gory combat but also the chance to use that iconic hidden blade, Assassin's Creed Valhalla brings a triumphant balance to the series." -- Louise Blain [Full review]

Eurogamer - No score

"Valhalla already feels complete. It is a Viking saga which does at times struggle a little in reaching its destiny, and in its efforts to evolve the series has made some sacrifices to tell a stronger overall story. But it wins through, in the end quite easily, as it continues the Assassin's Creed saga for a new generation." -- Tom Phillips [Full review]

PC Gamer - 92/100​

"Assassin's Creed's transformation into a full-blown RPG hasn't been the cleanest one, especially as features like stealth feel left to stagnate while other aspects get so much better. But Valhalla succeeds on so many levels that it's easy to forgive the times when it doesn't. It's an enormous game, and it'll probably take me another 20 hours to finish everything I still haven't completed. I honestly can't wait." -- Steven Messner [Full review]

Game Informer - 9.25/10​

"I loved 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey (especially after its post-release support), but that love was always tempered by a desire for improvements. I wished the content felt more carefully curated. I hated grinding to progress the story. I got sick of managing an inventory bloated with loot. Assassin's Creed Valhalla addresses all of those issues and more, creating a rewarding experience at every turn, whether you're pursuing the main narrative or hunting down treasure. I'm sure Valhalla is not the perfect Assassin's Creed game for all players, but it is certainly my new favorite entry." -- Joe Juba [Full review]

Polygon - No score

"Valhalla's most intriguing story is one about faith, honor, and family, but it's buried inside this massive, massive world stuffed with combat and side quests. That balance is not always ideal, but I'm glad, at least, that it forces me to spend more time seeking out interesting things in the game's world." -- Nicole Carpenter [Full review]

Dualshockers - 9/10​

"Assassin's Creed Valhalla is not the Assassin's Creed game that I wanted, but it is the new gold standard for the franchise's games. Each piece of content feels meaningful, whether it's to build out the characters, stories, world, or culture. Going in, I wasn't particularly excited about the historical period and Norse culture with it being common in today's media. Still, I've come away enthralled, wanting to learn more than ever before. Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be a gaming experience that will stick with me for years to come." -- Cameron Hawkins [Full review]