Following its cinematic trailer, it's clear that hype for Assassin's Creed Valhalla was at an all-time high. Information about the game poured out, culminating in a lot of anticipating going into AC: Valhalla's gameplay, and this may be the first official fumble by Xbox and Ubisoft going into next-gen. Technically speaking, what was shown is "gameplay" captured from an Xbox Series X, but it is all visual, not mechanical. It's not what was expected.
Luckily, Ubisoft will likely correct the course later this summer, and Microsoft is set to deliver more with Xbox 20/20. But for now, it's worth looking at the first ever gameplay tease of Assassin's Creed Valhalla (as director Ashraf Ismail stated it was just yesterday) compared to its predecessors, Origins and Odyssey.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
First and foremost, in comparing these trailers, setting and climate have to be addressed. The world and the gaming industry are in unprecedented times, and COVID-19 doesn't make anything anything easier. Whereas Assassin's Creed Origins and Odyssey had June reveals, E3-level showcases, and more to deliver its product, Assassin's Creed Valhalla's reveal was likely moved forward. Based on Ubisoft's patterns, it likely would have better shown off at E3 like its predecessors. Instead, it received a hype-inducing cinematic trailer followed by a "first look" at gameplay, meaning visuals captured on an Xbox Series X.
The big problem here, as more is coming and will likely set the record straight, is that it was shipped as gameplay, so fans expected mechanical gameplay. It was an overhyped event, and hopefully something that will be learned from moving into bigger Xbox 20/20 events, as well as Ubisoft showcases.
Assassin's Creed Origins, Odyssey
The big difference here is that Valhalla was a first look, whereas Origins and Odyssey received appropriate walkthroughs. The length is telling: Valhalla weighs in at 1:30, whereas Origins is 5:27 and Odyssey is over 8 minutes. Chances are, Valhalla will receive a walkthrough like this down the line, so perhaps it isn't the most befitting comparison. Nonetheless, "first look" in these instances carries different connotations, and even if it was just 1:30 of something similar to the above, it would have sated fans.
Now, that ball is in an entirely different court, so hopefully this is just the losing game that inspires the dramatic victory. Assassin's Creed Valhalla deserves to have its hype delivered upon.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla releases holiday 2020 for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
