Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Trailer Tees Up Viking Setting, Reveals Holiday 2020 Release

Ubisoft has unveiled the next chapter in its popular Assassin’s Creed series of open-world action games today with a cinematic trailer. Set in the 9th Century, players take on the role of a male or female Viking named Eivar as they plunder Saxon England with a clan of warriors.

The sequence tees up the game’s story premise, as Viking ships make their way across to England from Scandinavia. We hear a narrator, who is later revealed as the King Alfred of Wessex, lamenting the heathen Vikings, calling them out for their supposedly barbarous ways — his words are noticeably at odds with what is portrayed of the Vikings on-screen.

As the action unfolds, the cinematic presentation seems to allude to gameplay mechanics that’ll be familiar to anybody who’s played an Assassin’s Creed, including naval combat, and the fighting of mini-bosses. You’ll also see the iconic hidden blade, too…

Edit: New information on Valhalla’s gameplay features has been revealed via the YouTube description:

Write Your Viking Saga – Advanced RPG mechanics allow you to shape the growth of your character and influence the world around you. With every choice you make, from political alliances and combat strategy to dialogue and gear progression, you will carve your own path to glory.

Visceral Combat System – Dual-wield powerful weapons such as axes, swords, and even shields to relive the ruthless fighting style of the Viking warriors.

Dark Age Open-World – Sail from the harsh and mysterious shores of Norway to the beautiful but forbidding kingdoms of England and beyond. Immerse yourself in the Viking way of life through fishing, hunting, drinking games, and more.

Grow Your Settlement – Construct and upgrade buildings that allow for deep customization, including a barracks, blacksmith, tattoo parlor, and more. Recruit new members to your clan and personalize your Viking experience.

Mercenary Vikings – Create and customize a unique Viking raider within your clan and share it online with friends to use during their own raids

You can check out the trailer for yourself below.

Today’s trailer reveals follows on from the game’s tease yesterday, when a live stream of artist Boss Logic creating its logo in photoshop unveiled Valhalla’s aesthetic for the first time.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will launch on PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Stadia, and PC