Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the next entry in the long-running franchise, and it seems to bringing together the best of all worlds. Of course, the verdict is still out with gameplay for AC: Valhalla dropping in a few days, but the more the information spreads, the clearer the picture becomes.
For example, Assassin's Creed Valhalla is clearly treading its own path by abandoning Odyssey's level grind but still following its lead with a romance system. It is building upon the Hidden Ones and The Order of Ancients first introduced in Origins but through the eyes of a Viking. However, these advancements are just made by making strides with more recent additions to the franchise, as YouTuber JorRaptor has confirmed that an OG feature is making its way into the game.
JorRaptor is a well-known YouTuber, known for accurate information, and has reportedly spoken to Assassin's Creed Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail. The director confirmed that social stealth, a predominant feature in the earliest entries in the franchise, is making its way back. It was abandoned in Assassin's Creed Origins, as it didn't make sense for a Medjay to try and blend in with the common folk, and didn't return in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. This is in part due to the desire to bring back some of the franchise's "identity" features back, but Social Stealth will have a twist this time around.
It's not certain how or what that twist is, but it may likely be part of Eivor's viking identity. It makes sense that they could blend in with other vikings much better than they could Anglo-Saxons. That said, while it has yet to be shown, JorRaptor also confirms that a hood and cloak are in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, so that identity may not be such a big deal.
Ultimately, it seems nice that Assassin's Creed Valhalla is attempting this balancing act of bringing together the old and new, while also retaining its own unique identity. Assassin's Creed Valhalla needs to make its mark, and while it has seemingly hit all the boxes so far, more about the game is still on the way.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla releases Holiday 2020 for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
