REVIEW : Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids (XBOX Series X)
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla had so much material that it was often overwhelming. Each area included secret treasures, special events, quests, collectables, special boss battles, and more lore than you could consume. It was a fantasy for die-hard fans, but not so much for the average Assassin’s Creed fan. I started my adventures in Wrath of the Druids with about 106 hours in the base game, but you don’t need to be as invested in the main game to enjoy the DLC.
Wrath of the Druids is available reasonably early in the main game, not long after you’ve reached England. It also has a much narrower scale. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic in all the right ways, but it doesn’t instantly fill you with fear when you arrive in a new land and begin visiting the first area again. This is the most effective method of delivering this form of DLC. It’s a standalone storey that doesn’t need any prior experience or time spent in the main game until you get to the point where you can do the DLC.
The DLC distribution caters to both veteran players and fans who might be playing the game for the first time. The scalable complexity ensures that the new content is challenging and rewarding for higher-level players, while the accessibility allows anyone who wants to dive in to enjoy a journey to the glorious rolling hills of Ireland.
Eivor travels to Ireland after receiving a letter from the King of Dublin, his cousin Barid, in the novel. When Eivor arrives in Ireland, he discovers that Barid is attempting to gain the favour of Ireland’s High King, High King Flann. This seems to be a straightforward task before Eivor learns of the two’s turbulent past – the infighting between Vikings and Christians, and the outlying Druids and Pagans battling to preserve their traditions.
Eivor’s adventures in Ireland, as a stand-alone novel, are just as intriguing and captivating as the main game. Eivor’s wit and prowess are boldly exhibited from beginning to end and the deliberate combination of the fantastical and realistic tows a gentle line of storytelling that is as impactful as it is unforgettable.
Wrath of the Druids’ core base experience takes direct inspiration from the base game, with many of the events and mechanics appearing prominently in the Wrath of the Druids DLC. Mysteries and artefacts reappear with new treasure maps, altars, Lost Drengr, and stones to stack with Cairns. Unfortunately, some of the original games’ unsung heroes do not return. I couldn’t find any more Flyting fights, a Norse-style rap battle that filled the original with wit and charm, and Orlog’s challenge seems to be missing as well.
Trials of the Morrigan can be completed in place of the missed cases. These are brutal fights against evil druids who use an airborne poison to impair Eivor’s powers, raising their strength to the point that dangerous wolves transform into vicious werewolves. One of the most memorable fights in the game is my first experience with these legendary beasts. If you don’t care about the side material, the centre of the Wrath of the Druids DLC is focused on establishing Dublin as a trade hub.
Eivor will liberate Trade Posts spread throughout Ireland, eliminating enemies before finding the missing deed and claiming the trading centre on King Barid’s behalf. Resources can then be spent to create structures that provide resources over time, such as healing supplies and arrows or to increase incentives for completing specific activities in that area.
Over time, each Trade Post delivers services to Dublin. Eivor can then exchange these tools for products from faraway and exotic lands. It’s a basic interface in which you deliver X item in exchange for X, but it’s a fun endeavour that allows you to unlock an amazing array of new arms and armour.
As the storey progresses, Eivor and Barid gradually gain the confidence of High King Flann, but the other kings of Ireland are not so easily swayed. Eivor is able to gather numerous Royal Demands from various towns and cities (serving as a direct request from the Kings of Ireland), enabling Eivor and Barid to gain their trust. These are mostly very basic missions that simply require you to kill a specific enemy or loot a specific object, but the optional challenges include some intense scenarios. Defeating a single enemy in the heart of an enemy camp without being seen or killing any other targets is thrilling, but it is also some of the game’s most challenging material.
The true beauty and wonder of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla were always in the meticulous attention to detail and heart that went into making its universe. The secret stories and experiences that infused each mile with character and beauty, visuals the exemplified the best that generation had to offer, and all of this continues in the glory of the Emerald Isle.
