There’s a special kind of commitment required to finish Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Its main campaign stretches past 60 hours according to HowLongToBeat (game length tracker), and completionist runs often top 100.
Release date: November 2020 · Developer: Ubisoft Montreal · Main campaign length: ~60 hours · Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia · Metacritic score (PC): 82/100
Quick snapshot
- Developed by Ubisoft Montreal (Ubisoft (official site))
- Released November 2020 (Wikipedia (franchise encyclopedia))
- Main campaign ~60 hours (HowLongToBeat)
- Whether Valhalla is the “longest game ever” depends on main story vs. completionist definition
- Exact completionist hours vary widely by playstyle
- Major content support ended January 2023 (Game Rant (gaming news outlet))
- No new expansions planned; franchise focus shifted to Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Codename Red (Game Rant)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ubisoft Montreal |
| Release date | November 10, 2020 |
| Genre | Action role-playing |
| Main campaign length | ~60 hours (HowLongToBeat) |
| Completionist length | 100+ hours |
| Metacritic score (PC) | 82/100 based on 96 reviews (Metacritic (review aggregator)) |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Stadia |
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Worth Playing in 2025?
Valhalla is still a fully functional, patched game. The buggy launch is a distant memory — Ubisoft released numerous updates through 2022 to stabilize performance and fix quest-breaking glitches (Game Rant). For new players coming in fresh, the experience is far smoother than day-one adopters faced.
Valhalla’s technical state in 2025 is solid, but the real test is whether its enormous, sometimes meandering world still feels fresh after dozens of hours. New players should weigh their tolerance for lengthy side content before committing.
Engagement for new players
- Viking fantasy: Epic raids, regional conquests, and visceral combat capture the Norse power fantasy well (YouTube (community reviewer)).
- Settlement building: Upgrading your clan’s home in Ravensthorpe provides a satisfying loop between story arcs.
- Repetitive side content: Some open-world activities are copy-pasted, and a few quest arcs feel forgettable (Wikipedia reception section).
Pros and cons of Valhalla in 2025
- Pro: Complete edition includes all major DLC (Wrath of the Druids, Siege of Paris, The Forgotten Saga) — great value if bought on sale.
- Con: The sheer length can lead to burnout; not every region side quest feels essential.
- Pro: Dynamic skill tree and dual-wielding allow deep customization (Game Rant).
Valhalla asks for 60–100 hours of your life. In 2025, that’s the equivalent of watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy twice. The real question isn’t “is it good?” but “do you have the time to enjoy it?”
Is AC Valhalla the Longest Game Ever?
The claim depends on how you measure “longest.” By main story alone, Valhalla’s ~60 hours is substantial but not record-breaking. For full completion — every region, artifact, and achievement — expect north of 100 hours. That’s longer than most single-player RPGs, but games like The Witcher 3 (with expansions) and Persona 5 Royal surpass it.
Main story length
HowLongToBeat reports the main campaign averages around 60 hours. Pacing varies: some story arcs are tighter, others drag.
Completionist playthrough
A full completionist run — including every region wealth, mystery, and artifact — takes 120–140 hours. This includes optional boss fights and the “Mastery Challenge” mode added post-launch.
Comparison to Odyssey
HowLongToBeat (Odyssey page) lists Odyssey’s main campaign at about 45 hours, with completionist runs around 130 hours. Valhalla is actually shorter for completionists but longer for the main story alone. The trade-off: Odyssey’s sailing and naval combat add variety, while Valhalla’s settlement offers a different kind of downtime.
Bottom line for players: If you want a deep, historical open world and have the patience for a marathon, Valhalla still delivers. If your gaming time is limited, shorter experiences like Assassin’s Creed Mirage might be a better fit.
Which Assassin’s Creed Game Is the Best?
There’s no single answer — fan consensus generally places Assassin’s Creed II and Black Flag at the top (Wikipedia (franchise reception)). Valhalla sits in the middle tier of the series when ranked by critical scores.
- Critic scores: Valhalla’s Metacritic 82 on PC is solid but behind Origins (84) and Odyssey (83) — and far behind Assassin’s Creed II (91).
- Player preference: Players who love the classic stealth formula often prefer the earlier games; those who embrace the RPG shift tend to rank Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla higher.
- What Valhalla does best: The Viking setting gives a grittier, more grounded feel than the fantastical Greek mythology of Odyssey. The settlement adds a strategic layer absent in other entries.
Valhalla’s identity crisis is real: it’s neither a pure stealth Assassin game nor a full fantasy RPG. Players expecting the tight narrative of Ezio’s saga may feel the bloat of the newer formula.
What Is So Special About Valhalla?
Valhalla’s standout feature is its Viking setting and settlement system. Unlike previous games that moved you from city to city, Valhalla roots you in Ravensthorpe — a growing village that mirrors your progress. This gives a sense of home and incremental reward (Game Rant).
- Setting: England, Norway, Vinland, and several mythological realms create varied biomes (Wikipedia setting section).
- Settlement building: Players construct new buildings, each providing gameplay benefits (e.g., a museum, a fishing hut, a stable for mounts).
- Storytelling: The narrative weaves historical events like the Viking invasions of England with the Isu/Assassin mythos. Eivor’s dual lineage (male/female) offers replayability.
Is Valhalla Beginner-Friendly?
Yes, thanks to adjustable difficulty. The “Explorer” (easy) mode dials down enemy aggression and damage, making combat accessible even for action-RPG novices.
Learning curve for new RPG players
- Tutorial: The opening hours in Norway teach basic combat, stealth, and crafting.
- Skill tree: Branches for Raven (stealth), Bear (combat), and Wolf (ranged) let you specialise gradually.
- Overwhelming systems: Some mechanics — like gear upgrading, runes, and settlement construction — are never fully explained in-game. New players may need external guides (YouTube).
Accessibility options
Valhalla includes color-blind modes, subtitle sizes, and aim assist. The game also offers guided vs. explorer navigation modes for quest markers.
Is AC Valhalla or Odyssey Better?
This is the most heated debate among Assassin’s Creed fans. We compared key aspects in the table below.
Two games, one franchise: Valhalla grounds its story in Viking history, while Odyssey leans into Greek mythological fantasy. The table highlights the trade-offs.
| Feature | Valhalla | Odyssey |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 2020 | October 2018 |
| Developer | Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft Quebec |
| Main campaign length | ~60 hours (HowLongToBeat) | ~45 hours (HowLongToBeat) |
| Metacritic (PC) | 82/100 (Metacritic) | 83/100 (Metacritic) |
| Setting | Viking-age England, Norway, mythical worlds | Ancient Greece (Peloponnesian War) |
| Combat style | Heavier, stamina-based, dual-wield | Faster, ability-focused, spear combat |
| Naval gameplay | Minimal (longship transport only) | Major (ship combat, boarding, sailing) |
| Player character | Eivor (male/female choice) | Alexios or Kassandra |
If you want a cohesive, grounded story with settlement depth, pick Valhalla. If you prefer faster combat, naval exploration, and a lighter tone, Odyssey is the better fit. Neither is objectively better — it’s about which trade-offs you enjoy.
Pros and Cons of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Upsides
- Rich Viking atmosphere and historical setting
- Engaging settlement-building progression loop
- Strong voice acting and narrative for the main arc
- Huge amount of content for the price (especially complete edition)
- Multiple difficulty options make it accessible
Downsides
- Extreme length can cause burnout
- Copy-pasted side activities in the open world (YouTube)
- Some quest arcs feel forgettable
- Stealth mechanics are weaker than earlier AC titles
- No New Game Plus mode (as of 2025)
Timeline of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- – Initial release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Wikipedia release section).
- – Major expansions: Wrath of the Druids, The Siege of Paris (Wikipedia DLC section).
- – Final update and The Forgotten Saga DLC (Wikipedia DLC section).
- – Ubisoft announces end of major content support (Game Rant).
What We Know — and What’s Still Fuzzy
Confirmed facts
- Valhalla is developed by Ubisoft Montreal.
- Released in November 2020.
- Main campaign length is approximately 60 hours (HowLongToBeat).
- Includes settlement building and Viking raids.
What’s unclear
- Whether Valhalla is the longest game ever depends on definition (main story vs. completion).
- The exact number of hours for a full completionist run varies by playstyle and skill.
Perspectives from the Community
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an action role-playing game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the twelfth major installment in the Assassin’s Creed series… The game’s narrative follows Eivor Varinsson, a Viking raider who becomes involved in the centuries-old conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order.
— Wikipedia (franchise encyclopedia)
“Valhalla is great if you love Viking lore, but the sheer length kills the pacing for me. About 40 hours in I was just ticking boxes to finish the story.”
— Reddit community (user opinions, collected 2025)
Our Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2025 is a massive, polished Viking RPG that offers outstanding value for players who have 60–100 hours to spare. Its settlement system, historical detail, and post-launch stabilization make it a stronger recommendation than at launch. However, its bloated side content and lack of a New Game Plus mode may frustrate completionists who want replayability without restarting from scratch. For new players in 2025, the choice is clear: if you crave a deep, historical open world and have the patience for a marathon, Valhalla still delivers. If your gaming time is limited, shorter experiences like Assassin’s Creed Mirage might be a better fit.
gamerant.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, steamcommunity.com, youtube.com
For a deeper look at how the game stacks up against its predecessors, check out this analysis of Valhallas place in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Assassin’s Creed Valhalla require an internet connection?
Yes, for the initial installation and occasional updates. You can play the single-player campaign offline after installation.
Can you play Valhalla offline?
Yes, once installed and updated, you can play the entire campaign offline.
Is Valhalla connected to other Assassin’s Creed games?
Yes, it continues the modern-day story and includes references to Isu lore from previous games. Knowledge of the broader lore enhances the experience, but it’s not required.
Are the expansions included in the base edition?
No. The base edition includes only the main game. The Complete Edition bundles Wrath of the Druids, The Siege of Paris, and The Forgotten Saga.
Does Valhalla have a New Game Plus mode?
No, as of 2025 Ubisoft has not added a New Game Plus mode to Valhalla. This is a common community request.
What platforms can I play Valhalla on?
PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Google Stadia.
What is the hardest difficulty in Valhalla?
The “Drengr” difficulty offers the toughest combat. Enemies deal more damage and are more aggressive.
Noah Foster is Senior Reporter at Australia Watch, covering breaking stories and explainers.