The 30-minute gameplay leak confirms the game is still in development - but it isn't inspiring much confidence. | Source: Ubisoft
As has almost become a tradition for the franchise, a meaty half-an-hour of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla gameplay footage has leaked online .
The low-quality footage is labeled as a ‘Work-in-Progress’; by no means is this a final build of the game. Thank goodness as it sure looks rough around the edges.
Ubisoft is trying its very best to scrub the leak from the internet, confirming that the footage is indeed legitimate. Despite these efforts, the footage has spread far and wide courtesy of countless mirrors. It shouldn’t be too hard to track it down either on Reddit or YouTube .
The leak walks through an entire quest from start to finish and offers a generous look at Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s open-world, combat, menus, and a snippet of the story. The protagonist, Eivor, embarks on a mission to liberate an enemy-controlled fortress.
https://streamable.com/m8edx8
Contrary to Ubisoft’s promotional blather to date, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla isn’t set to innovate on the Assassin’s Creed formula as much as was suggested.
We aren’t looking at the major series shift Ubisoft has promised. Origins and Odyssey’s DNA courses through the footage, from the familiar Conquest-style brawler combat, HUD, inventory through to seemingly identical assets.
https://streamable.com/x32zv6
There is one significant difference, though. Certain sections of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla leak, notably horse-back riding through the marshlands between settlements, bear an uncanny resemblance to acclaimed action-RPG, The Witcher 3.
The auburn colors, the scraggly, wind-swept flora, errant wolves, the style of the cinematic set-pieces – the footage screams Geralt’s adventure through the Continent.
https://streamable.com/6kh35q
That’s not a bad thing. The Witcher 3 set a benchmark for open-world RPGs. Yet, this resemblance appears to be surface level only. Mediocre voice acting, a cluttered open-world, messy combat – these Assassin’s Creed staples remain.
Aside from a new setting and a few choice changes, there’s little that sets Assassin’s Creed Valhalla part from what we’ve seen so far.
It’s hard to say how old the footage is, and much may have changed since it was captured. At least, I hope so. The initial trailers for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla certainly painted an intriguing and refreshing take on the Assassin’s Creed formula. The leak, not so much.