Recent reviews by nescio

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Two years. That’s how long Assassin’s Creed Valhalla sat quietly in my Steam library, waiting for me to give it a proper chance. Three times I picked it up, and two times I walked away, disappointed and I didn't know why. On the third try, something changed. I think it was my determination as a lifelong Assassin’s Creed fan.

I’ve always loved the older AC games. The ones with awesome narratives and the mix of parkour and stealth. When Origins came along, I loved its fresh approach. I thought Valhalla—rooted in Viking mythology, a subject that fascinates me—would be the perfect for me. Yet, when I started, I felt… empty. The story didn’t grip me the way Ezio’s or Bayek’s had, and I stopped before I could truly dive in.

But this third time, I committed. I pushed myself past those initial hours of hesitation and did something I hadn’t done in a while: I slowed down. I stopped trying to speedrun through the main quests to find a reason to play and instead let myself live in the world. I walked through towns, listening to conversations. I stopped fast traveling every chance I got. I played the side quests that were most times copy + paste in other AC games. And for once, I wasn’t multitasking—no YouTube, no podcasts. Just me and the game.

I realized that part of my struggle wasn’t just Valhalla—it was me. I, like so many gamers these days, had played overstimulated games to the point where anything less than insane fps games felt dull. But giving Valhalla my full attention allowed me to see its potential.

Does this mean Valhalla is perfect? No. If you’re expecting the tightly written narratives of the earlier games, or even the crisp storytelling of Origins, you might find yourself empty handed. The combat feels pretty lackluster with only 3 different attacks really. Still, Valhalla isn’t trying to be Ezio or Altair so you shouldn't play the game with that intention.

For Viking enthusiasts, this game is a must. You’ll find yourself lost in its breathtaking landscapes and rich lore. If you’re not an aspiring Viking yourself, I’d suggest revisiting Origins instead.

Most importantly, my experience with Valhalla taught me this: give games a second—or even third—chance. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping out of your own way and approaching something with fresh eyes to rediscover the joy that made you fall in love with gaming in the first place

Love the game sadly no one plays it so after 2 minutes of queue online you get bots