Assassin's Creed Valhalla

After posting that, it seems the only things we raid are forts. Also raiding almost seems optional since you can also advance by making alliances. 

Overall I was hoping for a bit more historical accuracy in the way they dressed, their weapons and armor, etc. I guess it's not a huge deal since that ship sailed long ago. We'll see if they get more authentic with regards to culture and story. Apparently it's early in the Viking era so it's Vikings vs Saxons. I'd like to see them represent both cultures somewhat accurately.

Another interview (I already posted a bullet point based on it): press-start.com.au/features/2020/05/01/we-spoke-to-assassins-creed-valhallas-creative-director-ashraf-ismail-and-got-all-the-juicy-new-game-details/

Apparently you can dual-wield two shields if you wanted to.

Couple more tidbits:

- Social stealth is back, but with a "unique twist".
- Improved enemy variety.

Was the gamespot interview with the Narrative director posted? www.gamespot.com/articles/assassins-creed-valhallas-narrative-director-on-cr/1100-6476661/

I actually didn't have a problem with her in Origins, but her character in Odyssey left a lot to be desired. This is a problem the AC franchise has been carrying for a while now: either commit to the modern day storyline or don't, but don't half-ass it.

Gear & Abilities:

Ubisoft Montreal’s last Assassin’s Creed game was Origins, which started the series down a path toward more RPG mechanics. How would you characterize the RPG qualities of Valhalla?

In terms RPG and player progression, we wanted a fresh take on it. We wanted something that’s more anchored in the world. So, the way gear works is completely revamped. Every piece of gear you find is unique. You can upgrade each piece of gear. If you wish to carry the same piece of gear to the end of the game, you can. Or if you want to collect everything, that’s up to you. Everything has its own unique value. At a certain point, you can start customizing gear. So it’s a new take on that RPG format in terms of gear.

In terms of abilities and skills, there’s also been a revamping. Players have this (quite large) skill graph that they sort of traverse through the journey of Eivor, picking up new skills, picking up a lot of playstyle elements to fine-tune to kind of Viking you are – whether it’s a more incognito Viking or more “get out there and throw your axes around.” Everything from abilities to skills to weaponry, we have a fresh new take on progression that we feel is anchored in the world and the Viking fantasy we’re trying to achieve.

So, would you say this skill graph is drastically different from the concept of skill tree, where you invest points and build up towards things?

I wouldn’t say it’s drastically different. It has a different form and a different wrapper. The content is what’s really different; the types of skills you can have and the synergies between skills is what makes it much more unique. In terms of moving through a skill tree, I wouldn’t say the mechanic of that is drastically different … our concept of how to craft your playstyle, this is where the content is different.

Do the enemies have defined numerical levels? And does the player?

As part of our fresh take on the RPG elements and progression, I would say it’s less about levels and it’s more about the sense of power. Based on the skills you have, you gain power. That’s how we look at that mechanism in the world; it’s really about your capacities and what you can do. Yes, there is a rating that is given, which encompasses at some point your gear as well. But it’s really about the skills you’ve learned, what you can do, and that value is rated. So it’s a sense of power rather than levels.

Super excited for this game. Looks like a lot of fun.

They better not be.