The Assassin’s Creed franchise has gone through several ups and downs throughout the years. Back in the day, Assassin’s Creed games were considered pure action titles with stealth elements. The first-ever game from the franchise arose from the development of another Prince of Persia game that Ubisoft eventually abandoned.
Nowadays, Assassin’s Creed is the highest-selling game series in Ubisoft's portfolio. The developers blurred the lines between stealth and action-RPG gameplay long ago. Only the title was left untouched, reminding you that you “work in the Dark to serve the Light.”
Don’t get me wrong, the latest games from the franchise are solid, but only if you consider them action RPGs with stealth elements. You can call it historical accuracy since Spartans and Vikings weren’t known for striking from the shadows, after all! Whether you’re a new player or a series veteran, you may wonder which one you should play next. Let the battle begin!
Spartans vs Vikings – Who Would Win?
From a historical standpoint, there are several proofs Spartans would win. But deciding which game depicts its nation better is an ongoing debate. In most cases, it depends on your subjective taste and which nation is more appealing to your liking. Both games are strikingly similar in terms of gameplay. However, some key differences will help you decide between the two. We will compare them in several categories and, based on them, declare the winner.
But before we start, we want to remind you that you can purchase both games on RoyalCDKeys. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey EU Ubisoft Connect Key and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla EU Ubisoft Connect Key are available for competitive prices. It means you’re saving money whether you decide to buy one or both.
1. Storyline
The ongoing clash between Assassins and Templars has been the driving force of the series since the very beginning. In both Odyssey and Valhalla, however, this aspect is marginalized. In terms of storyline, Odyssey has little to no connection with the assassins, while in Valhalla, you have a hidden blade, at least. This makes both games easy to follow for both veterans and new players.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set during the Peloponnesian War, giving you a lot of freedom. Aside from playing as a male or female main character (Valhalla does that, too), you can choose the side of Athens or Sparta. Add to that numerous romance options, a family-oriented plot, and slightly different gameplay based on your siding.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, on the other hand, takes place in the late 9th century both in Norway and the west of England. After leaving conflict-ridden Norway and crossing the North Sea, the protagonist and his crew arrive on the coast of England. Wanting to make it their new home and to secure a place in the titular Valhalla, Eivor and his warriors must stand up to fight. Their further fate depends on your alliances and the dialogue options you’ll choose.
Both storylines are great, but Odyssey gives more freedom and is set in a time period more recognizable to most people. That being said, it’s slightly above Valhalla in this regard.
Winner: Odyssey
2. Side Quests
Both Odyssey and Valhalla are huge games, so their storylines are divided into many subplots. The interesting story in both main and side missions provides a truly immersive experience and remains engaging throughout. Odyssey was uneven in terms of side quests, but Valhalla raised the bar significantly. It’s not on the level of Witcher 3 but still quite impressive.
Quests like The Last Leaf of Fall will let you choose how you want to roleplay your Eivor. In a quest called An Althing for the Half Crown, you will prepare the next generation of children for brutal combat as future raiders. The list goes on, and I leave it for you to discover.
Winner: Valhalla
3. Graphics
Both games are two years apart, but it’s really hard to tell the difference between the two. They both run on the AnvilNext engine, but at first glance, Odyssey seems prettier. Ancient Greece on Ultra-High settings is like a dream-like paradise, where you can stop by and just enjoy the views.
The vibrant colors and details pop out everywhere, from lighting to the environment and detailed character models, with hardly any awkward angles. Cut scenes are also meticulously crafted with brilliant camera work for a cinematic experience. A sight to behold, even after four years.
I understand why most people prefer Odyssey over Valhalla in terms of graphics. It’s all about lighting and color palette. Norway and England are cold, bleak, and harsh, while ancient Greece is vibrant and colorful. It’s no surprise it looks more pleasing to our eyes.
However, Valhalla improves on some graphics aspects, such as skin textures. You can literally count pores on people’s skin. Hairs and beards are also more realistic, now casting proper shadows.
You can’t really pick a direct winner here because they run on the same engine, and the most notable differences are the lighting usage and color palette. There are some graphical improvements in Valhalla, but nothing that stands out. Therefore, I’m calling this a tie.
Winner: Tie
4. Naval Gameplay
Since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag, naval gameplay has been an important aspect of the AC franchise. Collecting your crew, sea battles, boarding enemy ships, etc – it's a game within a game with its vast mechanics. While both games have a lot to offer in this regard, AC Valhalla takes the cake here.
Valhalla abandoned ship-to-ship combat in favor of exploration and traversal, however. Why is it better, then? Viking history is all about the iconic raids this group of Norsemen carried out. It’s one of the most important aspects of their history, and it wasn’t overlooked by Ubisoft, thankfully.
Raids are all about killing and pillaging in order to collect money and resources. They’re also great action-packed gaming sequences. It’s one of the best features of Valhalla, striking a great balance between combat and exploration since the entire game is filled with enemies.
Winner: Valhalla
5. Eagle Vision
The iconic ability of every AC game has taken various forms throughout the series, from simple wallhack to a winged animal flying above our heads. This welcomed change had its origin in Origins (pun intended) and has been present in the game ever since. While in Odyssey, the system is really useful and works flawlessly, in Valhalla, it’s been significantly nerfed for no reason.
The main purpose of the bird flying above our heads is to detect targets, important characters, and hidden passages. Given the size of the map, it makes the exploration less tedious and saves a lot of time, allowing players to focus on other things. In Valhalla, though, you need to pinpoint the location by yourself, questioning why it has even been included. I understand they wanted to make the ability less OP, but why nerf it to the point where it’s almost useless?
Winner: Odyssey
6. Skill Trees
Both games are considered action RPGs, so an expanded skill tree is a must. There are a fair amount of abilities to craft your own playstyle, whether it’s stealth or open combat. However, where Odyssey shines, Valhalla miserably fails. Odyssey’s skill tree is simple and balanced, making it clear which abilities are suited for a chosen playstyle. Each skill is well thought out, with clear advantages and downsides to choosing one.
Valhalla tried adding more versatility to your character build but went overboard. Too many things happen in character progression, eventually leading players to lose interest. Why change something that works? I guess they wanted to separate from its predecessor and show Vikings as a different nation, but they’d be better by simply copying the skill tree from AC Odyssey.
Winner: Odyssey
7. Combat
When a warrior fled the battlefield, he discarded his shield to run faster, so only the winners returned with a shield. And when it comes to combat, Vikings are the ones to return with a shield. Ubisoft claimed it’s the best combat system out of the recent action RPG AC trilogy, and I agree with that statement.
In Odyssey, you’ve felt like a demi-god at a certain point, making Kassandra and Alexios ancient superheroes. Valhalla is more realistic in this regard, providing you with balanced yet satisfying combat sequences. The dual-wield mechanics, for example, bring it closer to a Dark Souls game than ever before. Not to mention the unique combos not present in its predecessor, which perfectly depicts the Vikings' brutality while being challenging enough to stay alert when fighting adversaries.
Winner: Valhalla
8. Stealth
The historical settings of both games don’t favor stealth playthroughs as much as open combat. However, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey butchered the stealth aspect the most. Heck, even the iconic hidden blade isn’t present here! Instead, you have OP abilities like sudden camouflage or instant teleportation to execute unsuspecting enemies. The thing is, getting behind your targets and stabbing them results in a slight reduction of their HP bar. In the end, you’re forced to resort to open combat.
In Valhalla, you can actually kill someone with a hidden blade undetected. There are various infiltration missions where it’s advisable to stay hidden and not attract attention. It’s more in line with older games in the series, but still far from perfect. If you really want to feel like an assassin, try AC Unity or Syndicate. They’re not much older and still look great by modern standards.
Winner: Valhalla
9. Characters and Historical Accuracy
Objectively, you can’t deny that the characters presented in Assassin’s Creed have always been its trademark. Ezio Auditore, Edward Kenway, Leonardo da Vinci, George Washington – just to name a few. Everyone is well-written and not one-dimensional, whether it's fictional to historical characters.
Both games have a lot to offer in this regard. However, I would give Odyssey the upper hand in historical accuracy. Greeks were conscientious and proud of their nation, writing down how they lived and fought. This definitely helped portray Socrates, Hippocrates, or King Leonidas I the way they really were.
In contrast to Valhalla, Vikings were raiders, so their history isn’t as well documented. However, historical figures like King Aelfred the Great or Ivarr the Boneless are truly memorable. Even fictional characters inside Ravensthorpe are imbued with unique personalities and motivations. Once again, I’m calling it a tie between both sides.
Winner: Tie
10. Modern-Day Events
Since the end of Desmond’s story in Assassin’s Creed 3, modern-day gameplay has been marginalized to the role of unnecessary boring filler. Unfortunately, Odyssey met the same fate, wasting time on needless crypt explorations instead of focusing more on Layla Hassan’s story uncovering the secrets of the Animus.
Valhalla concluded her story, giving her enough screen time and gameplay that’s not easily forgotten. Her actions actually matter in the scope of historical events instead of being just a framing device. Too bad it’s the only game in recent years treating modern-day plot seriously.
Winner: Valhalla
Conclusion
- Odyssey: 5
- Valhalla: 7
I’ve tried to be as objective as possible when making this list, and it seems Vikings are walking away with the shield this time. Both games are great on their own terms, but Valhalla is more on par with “Assassin’s Creed” in the title. It’s the way to go if you truly want to feel like an assassin.
Odyssey should be played first chronologically, but playing the other way around won’t affect your experience in any way. Regardless of your choice, both games will steal you hundreds of hours, and playing two of them is what I personally recommend.
FAQs
Do answers matter in Valhalla? ›
While most of the choices beyond the Sigurd strikes don't “matter,” a small handful of them can impact certain NPCs sticking around in your base settlement. These choices don't materially alter the game's story, but it does have those folks hang out in your home base.
How should I answer Kassandra AC Valhalla? ›First Response
Kassandra will start the Flyting and end her first speech with, "There stood Eivor, hot-headed and brash." Players should respond with: "To see us now, you'd not believe our clash."
When an enemy has a shield — and a lot of them do — you have to break through their defenses before you can deal any damage. You can do that with a heavy attack, but those are slow and open you to counterattacks. You can do that with a parry or flank, but that means waiting for them to attack first.
Is AC Valhalla as bad as Odyssey? ›Assassin's Creed Valhalla perfects several elements found in Odyssey, but there are a few ways its predecessor still is the better of the two. It's inevitable that Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be compared to Odyssey, as every Assassin's Creed game is usually ranked once a new title is released.
How many endings does Valhalla have? ›There are two vastly different Assassin's Creed Valhalla endings and we've got the details on how to get both of them and what choices affect them. Another spoiler warning. Do not scroll down any further if you do not want to read about the ending to Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
How do I stop betraying Sigurd? ›You must wait until they are separated to avoid impacting your loyalty with Sigurd. In mission Blood from a Stone, you must prevent yourself from punching Basim and Sigurd. In mission A Brewing Storm, give Dag his axe after you defeat him in battle to avoid impacting your loyalty with Sigurd.
Can I romance Kassandra? ›Interestingly in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, it seems that regardless of your choice of starting character, all romanceable NPCs in the game are still romanceable to you, whether you're Kassandra or Alexios - so it works a little differently to similarly raunchy series like Mass Effect.
Do Eivor and Kassandra hook up? ›"I don't necessarily mean romantic, but there is tension." She further clarified that there's no explicit flirting available between Kassandra and Eivor, but the two can forge a connection through a bit of a rivalry--both protagonists have a bit of an ego after all, and both take pleasure in outwitting and teasing ...
Can I romance Kassandra in AC Valhalla? ›Initiating a relationship with her isn't possible until your Raventhorpe reaches level three, and it is the only AC Valhalla romance that will affect the story. She will ask to go on an adventure, so you will journey with her to Grantebridge, where she will share a moment with Eivor as the day ends.
Should you fight the wolf of Sparta? ›Whether you choose to kill or spare Nikolaos, the rewards for the quest will be the same, and you'll still be told the same information. The quests with Elpenor immediately after this one will also resolve in the same way regardless of whether you kill The Wolf or not.
Do I save the sick people in Odyssey? ›
Best Choice
He's correct that they have the plague and will spread it, as allowing them to live reduces the island to something near-apocalyptic. However, we also understand if you don't have the stomach to let a family be butchered. As we said, there is no good option here, just deciding the lesser of two evils.
No, it doesn't matter if you choose Athens or Sparta. Assassin's Creed Odyssey takes place during the Peloponnesian War (between Athens & Sparta). Your question talks about loyalty to Athens or Sparta. The game play doesn't demand it, so it's all on the gamer's choice.
Is Valhalla bigger than Odyssey? ›It's been previously reported that Assassin's Creed: Odyssey weighed in at a whopping 230 km², but Ubisoft's own developers have confirmed that the most recent addition to the series, Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, is even larger.
Is Valhalla more fun than Odyssey? ›They're both long adventure games with RPG elements. Overall, if u're looking for more of an open world RPG game I think neither really does an amazing job of it. Storywise, I think Odyssey is better and there are multiple endings, while Valhalla kind of has 2 endings but the end result is the same.
Is Valhalla story better than Odyssey? ›Valhalla had a better AC storyline than Odyssey but again, not very great. Valhalla did have a very promising start. I can't really point out why Valhalla felt like a downgrade. But, I do know that I can see myself coming back to Odyssey more than Valhalla.
Is there a end game to Valhalla? ›The Last Chapter is the final story arc for Eivor in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. To unlock it, you have to complete the full story of the base game. The Last Chapter does not require you to own or play the expansions and DLCs.
How do you get the true ending in AC Valhalla? ›Sigurd will want to leave the treasure as-is as tribute for King Styrbjorn. If you want to get the best ending, ignore your greedy impulses and choose the "We leave the resources for Styrbjorn" option. Do this for brownie points with Sigurd both now and later on in the narrative.
How many endings does Assassin's Creed Odyssey have? ›Assassin's Creed Odyssey has nine available endings that players can obtain and here are the rankings for all of them from worst to best.
Who should Eivor date? ›Assassin's Creed Valhalla's romance options give Eivor the chance to grow close with many different NPCs, but the best choice is the hunter Petra.
Should I fight Sigurd or not? ›Sigurd can't hurt you so there's really nothing to this boss fight. Just wack him a couple times with whatever weapon you'd like. Seriously, he can't hurt you. Let him try — he'll hit you and knock you down, but it won't do any damage.
What happens if you cheat on Sigurd? ›
If Sigurd finds out about the affair, he will be less likely accompany Eivor in the “good ending.” So while it is technically Randvi doing the adultery, this indiscretion can actually have a massive impact on Assassin's Creed Valhalla's story.
What did Kassandra do for 2000 years? ›Her long life span was due to the magical Staff of Hermes Trismegistus, which kept her young for over 2000 years. She finally perished once she passed the staff onto Layla in 2018. It remains to be seen if the new holder can keep the powerful item as long as the Eagle Bearer did.
Who is Alexios lover? ›1 Alexios - Neema
She was a controversial romance option as the game disregards players' gender preferences in their romantic partners in-game. However, Neema's romance is by far the most fleshed-out one where Alexios settles down and eventually has a son with her.
Throughout their journey, Eivor will meet several lovable characters with whom they can become intimate, but out of all of Assassin's Creed Valhalla's romance options, Petra stands out as the best of the lot.
Who can you marry in Valhalla? ›- Bil. Bil Romance requirement: Find her comb as part of the Comb of Champions world event in Rygjafylke. ...
- Petra. Petra Romance requirement: Build Hunter's Shack in the settlement. ...
- Broder. Broder Romance requirement: Liberate East Anglia. ...
- Gunlodr. ...
- Stigr. ...
- Tarben. ...
- Tewdwr. ...
- Vili.
Eivor was more solid and strong compared to Kassandra who was agile.
How old is Kassandra in Valhalla? ›As such, Kassandra is the one who passes the Staff of Hermes to Layla, living to be 2400+ years old to do so. SPOILERS AHEAD. With Assassin's Creed Valhalla taking place near the end of the ninth century and Kassandra being born 400+ years BC, the latter would have been roughly the ripe old age of 1300.
Can I marry Randvi? ›This is certainly possible, but it is avoidable; players can romance Randvi and good a good ending.
Does Randvi look like Kassandra? ›Oddly though, this isn't the first time an NPC has looked like Kassandra. When Assassin's Creed Valhalla first came out, many were quick to note how Randvi looks like Kassandra, and at one point there were some theories they were one and the same.
Who can you marry in Odyssey? ›...
All Assassin's Creed Odyssey romance options.
| Character | Regions | Quests |
|---|---|---|
| Eritha | Kythera | I, Diona |
| Daphnae | Phokis | The Goddesses' Hunt, The Daughters of Artemis |
| Kyra | Mykonos | Kyra with a Cause |
| Lykaon | Phokis | Helping a Healer |
What happens if I say I killed Nikolaos? ›
The Wolf of Sparta
Consequence: Killing Nikolaos will prevent him from reuniting with you later, and ultimately affects the ending. Killing Nikolaos will also prompt a fight with Stentor, though defeating him here won't actually kill him.
Kassandra either gave Leonidas a second death, or sacrificed Kyros of Zarax to Persephone in his stead. Killing him resulted in him being sent to Tartaros, with either Myrrine, Deimos, Phoibe, or Brasidas being resurrected by Persephone, depending on choice.
Who is Alexios real father? ›Alexios is the biological son of Pythagoras, a great Greek philosopher previously mentioned in the Assassin's Creed series by Leonardo Da Vinci in Assassin's Creed 2.
Is there a bad ending in AC Odyssey? ›Assassin's Creed Odyssey has three main storylines and nine different endings: good, neutral, and bad. As we come across the different endings, we'll link them for you here.
What happens if you romance everyone in AC Odyssey? ›There aren't any penalties for romancing more than one character in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Finally, although you can initiate a romance with another character in Assassin's Creed Odyssey by selecting a dialogue option with a small white heart next to it, you're not immediately guaranteed success.
What is a Misthios? ›When it comes to Greek history, a Misthios is someone with a particular set of skills that can be hired for work (typically in jobs relating to those skills). In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Misthios refers to a type of mercenary as per the game's main storyline.
What I wish I knew before playing Assassin's Creed Odyssey? ›- 1 Save Often.
- 2 Take On Conquest Battles. ...
- 3 Never Be Afraid To Re-spec. ...
- 4 Romance Who You Want. ...
- 5 Collect All The Wood. ...
- 6 Adjust Your Level Scales. ...
- 7 Killing People Doesn't Work All The Time. ...
- 8 Spartan Kick. ...
If players care about the canonical story of Assassin's Creed, then they should pick Kassandra over Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This is because while the game does not show any preference for one sibling, Ubisoft has made it clear that Kassandra is the actual protagonist in the years following its release.
Do you choose male or female in Odyssey? ›Assassin's Creed Odyssey will be the first game in the AC series in which we will be able to choose the sex of the main character. Unlike the AC Syndicate in which we could play both male and female alternately, in Odyssey choice will be binary. If we choose Alexios, he will be an only protagonist in the game.
Which Assassin's Creed is best? ›- #8 - Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011) ...
- #7 - Assassin's Creed (2007) ...
- #6 - Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018) ...
- #5 - Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag (2013) ...
- #4 - Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) ...
- #3 - Assassin's Creed Origins (2017) ...
- #2 - Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (2010) ...
- #1 - The Best: Assassin's Creed 2 (2009)
Is Valhalla any different than Odyssey? ›
Because of this, Valhalla will not feature the same kind of open-ended side quest arcs and miscellaneous quests present in Odyssey. Instead, there will be shorter and more varied "World Events" that can be found in each of the territories.
Should I finish AC Odyssey before Valhalla? ›If you are a huge fan of the overarching story of Assassin's Creed that pertains to how these ancient cultures have a massive impact on the lives of people living in the modern world, then the previous two games are definitely required.
Why Assassin's Creed Valhalla is best? ›Valhalla brings the best version of sea-based gameplay in the series, placing it in a more adventurous light by focusing on the exploration part of things rather than relentless combat that nobody enjoys. Players can relax while on the sea and choose to go on raid missions, bring a fine balance never seen before.
Who is best to play as in Valhalla? ›Choosing a male or a female Eivor is equally valid with no major repercussions beyond the character model. Things were very different in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where choosing one made the other one the villain. There's nothing of that level of importance with Eivor.
How long does it take to beat the main story of Assassin's Creed Odyssey? ›Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the longest games for main story players and completionists alike. Finishing the main story of Assassin's Creed Odyssey takes the player 42 hours on average.
What is the next Assassin's Creed game? ›Assassin's Creed Mirage: Title and release date
Following months of rumours and leaks, on 1 September 2022 Ubisoft confirmed that its next Assassin's Creed game is called Mirage.
Should You Tell the King the Truth With Halfdan? When prompted, we told the king that Halfdan does not know because we have a good relationship with this king and don't want to mess things up by lying. It doesn't matter what you choose because Faravid will lie for you.
Does it matter who you pick as the traitor in Valhalla? ›If you choose Soma's traitor incorrectly, it'll affect Soma's standing with you, and Birna will not join your clan. Galinn will also later admit his guilt and try to murder either Birna or Lif. If you choose Galinn, Birna will eventually join your clan and you will be able to take her on raids.
Does it matter who you pick in Valhalla? ›Choosing a male or a female Eivor is equally valid with no major repercussions beyond the character model. Things were very different in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where choosing one made the other one the villain. There's nothing of that level of importance with Eivor.
Does it matter who you choose in Valhalla? ›If you are planning on playing Valhalla as one character the whole way through, choose whatever you want, as it won't really affect the story at all.
How should I answer Halfdan? ›
Telling Halfdan the truth about Faravid's plan increases Eivor's loyalty. If you lie to Halfdan, he doesn't believe you and wants to know where Faravid is going.
How should I answer Halfdan about Ivarr? ›What Should You Tell Halfdan About His Brother, Ivarr? You can tell Halfdan that his brother either died a warrior or a coward. We chose to say as a coward since Ivarr is a traitor. The outcome will basically be the same no matter what dialogue option you select.
Who should Eivor say he fights for? ›Eivor: I fight for myself, and my people.
Does it matter who you choose as Jarl? ›Who you choose as Jarl of Snotinghamscire depends on your view of Vili. If you choose him he won't be available to join your crew, but will show up later in the story to help you. If you want him to be a part of your raiding party, choose Trygve as Jarl.
What happens if Soma kills the wrong person? ›If you accuse Birna or Lif, the mission goes off the rails. Soma will kill the wrong person -- and quickly find out that Galinn is the actual traitor as they head back to camp.
Who is the real traitor in Assassin's Creed Valhalla? ›There are three people you can accuse of betraying Soma, and they're her three closest allies; Birna, Lif, and Galinn. There's reason to suspect each of them, but only one is the actual traitor. If you don't care about becoming Sherlock Holmes for a short while, then you should know the traitor is Galinn.
Should I play as a boy or a girl in Assassin's Creed Valhalla? ›Unlike in previous games in the Assassin's Creed series, the answer is relatively simple: whichever one you want. According to developers working on Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the male and female versions of Eivor are technically exactly the same character.
Is Eivor meant to be male or female? ›While the player's choice doesn't affect the story, there's still a canon gender for Eivor, which is female. But instead of this being a random choice given during development, the game also justifies this with the character's name.
Is Eivor female or male canon? ›The canon version of Eivor is the female version, as the male version of Eivor was only playable during the Asgard and Jotunheim story arcs that take place at specific times in the story.
Does Animus always choose female? ›The answer, thankfully, is very simple. Pick the default "Animus decides" option and you'll play as female Eivor through the vast majority of the game, except in the two mythological realms of Asgard and Jotunheim.
How old is Eivor? ›
The main part of the game begins in 872 CE, by which point Eivor is supposed to be a 25-year-old Viking.
Should Eivor lay with brother? ›There's no repercussions for either choice, so players should go with whichever option sounds more entertaining to them. It seems equally likely that Eivor would have forgotten which brother they just slept with, so canonically speaking it seems like either answer would be fine as well.