Ever since the death of Desmond in Assassin's Creed 3, fan have been split about the merits of the modern-day storylines. Many did not like the first-person perspective of the modern-day games thereafter, while Juno's storyline was seemingly delegated to a comic book for a resolution. Nonetheless, it is a vital part of the franchise's identity and has been on a rocky road for quite a few games. Come Assassin's Creed Origins, however, the modern-day storyline received new faces.
Skeptical fans still desired the epic mystery around Desmond's storyline, and in that regard, many found the new modern-day storyline still lack. Assassin's Creed Valhalla, however, manages to take everything introduced thus far and improve upon it. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the contents of this article, spoilers are possible.
The Focus is on Eivor, But You Can't Forget the Modern Day
Fans of the franchise who care slightly less about the modern-day storyline should be glad to know that there is a subtle quality to the modern-day story. Assassin's Creed Valhalla doesn't boot players from the Animus often, instead relying on them to check out as much of the modern day as they wish. Conversations and information are constantly updated and there, but not necessarily required. Combine this with the return of two faces (Shaun Hastings and Rebecca Crane), and the story is as intrusive as players want it to be.
Perhaps more importantly, AC Valhalla's modern day story is not self-contained whatsoever. The nuances may not be hard to detect for seasoned fans, but everything from Assassin's Creed 3, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and its DLC, and more are incredibly important, even when first walking around as Layla Hassan. It's a pay-off for fans heavily invested in the greater lore but not necessarily the most pressing.
The Future of Assassin's Creed's Modern-Day Storyline
Many have called for Assassin's Creed's modern-day storyline to be brought to end, but it's clear that Ubisoft has other, perhaps even better ideas. Without stepping onto much spoiler territory, the story that was set up by Origins and established by Odyssey does, in fact, end in Valhalla, loosely as it shows elements that'll likely continue on with the new story. In doing so, though, it also manages to bring back very important elements from the past games. Players will meet a character known as The Reader, who is exactly who players think he is upon meeting him.
On top of that, the story ending in Valhalla means a new story is coming but building off of this one. Layla will no longer be the modern-day protagonist, and the current story direction sets up a lot more to come. While it remains to be seen exactly how this plays out, it's clear that Valhalla is doing something no other game in the franchise has attempted to do. That may extend to future AC games, or it may be something that's resolved in Assassin's Creed Valhalla DLC run. It's unknown, but rest assured: the modern-day storyline is moving forward in unique ways, but paying homage to and bringing its past with it.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
