Is it worth buying the Season Pass for Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla?
After carefully analyzing the included content, pricing, and value proposition, I believe the AC Valhalla Season Pass is worth purchasing for most fans of the base game who want more of the same open world gameplay in new environments.
The two major expansions add around 60 hours of content in beautiful new locales like Ireland and Francia. For players craving more opportunities to raid and explore with Eivor, it‘s a solid investment.
However, if you found the core gameplay loop repetitive or are looking for major innovations, the Season Pass doesn‘t necessarily deliver enough to be essential. Consider what you‘re seeking in post-launch content before purchasing.
Now let‘s dive deeper into the specifics on what you get, the quality of the expansions, and how to get the best value from the AC Valhalla Season Pass.
Breaking Down Everything Included in the Season Pass
As an avid gamer myself, I know it‘s important to understand exactly what you‘re getting for your money. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of all the content included with the AC Valhalla Season Pass:
The Two Major Expansions
- Wrath of the Druids
- Siege of Paris
These expansions add enormous new territories to explore through around 30 hours of gameplay each. Whether journeying across Ireland or laying siege to Paris, fans of the base game are sure to enjoy the fresh settings and continued Viking conquests.
The Legend of Beowulf Bonus Quest
This short 2 hour quest lets you dive into the mystical Norse legend of the heroic Beowulf. It provides a nice change of pace from the massive expansions.
New Weapons, Armor Sets, Abilities, and Cosmetics
Each expansion comes with an arsenal of new gear to discover, allowing you to further customize Eivor for your playstyle.
No Dawn of Ragnarok Included
Note that the Ragnarok expansion releasing in March 2022 is not included. That will need to be purchased separately as Dawn of Ragnarok kicks off Year 2.
Diving Into the Meaty Expansions – Over 60 Extra Hours of Gameplay
Now let‘s take a deeper look at Wrath of the Druids and Siege of Paris – the meaty expansions that make up the bulk of the Season Pass:
Wrath of the Druids
Wrath of the Druids ushers you into the lush jungles and rugged coasts of Ireland to uncover druidic secrets. The completely new map provides a refreshing change of scenery from England‘s countryside. You‘ll encounter Gaelic mythologies and fascinating factions like the Children of Danu.
It‘s a beautiful new landscape to explore with around 30 hours of quests and content. The engaging druidic mystery at the heart ties nicely into Viking lore as well.
Siege of Paris
Siege of Paris immerses you in the famous raid of Paris at a pivotal moment in history. The massive scale assaults on Parisian strongholds are easily some of the most cinematic and intense battles I‘ve experienced.
Playing a key role in a legendary Viking attack and shaping the fate of Francia is thrilling. With 30 hours to lay siege to the most fortified cities, this expansion puts your combat skills to the test.
Over 60 Hours Combined
Between both expansions, you‘re looking at over 60 additional hours of content – essentially two full games worth! That‘s an incredible amount of value for the Season Pass price.
If you‘re hungry for more places to explore and raids to lead after the base game, the sheer volume of content is difficult to beat.
Evaluating the Design, Quality, and Replayability
Beyond just the volume of content, it‘s important to analyze the design quality and replayability of the expansions:
Core Gameplay Remains Mostly Familiar
A key thing to know is that the core gameplay and mission structures stay very similar to Valhalla. The new settings provide fresh backdrops, but you‘ll be doing a lot of familiar infiltration, raiding, and investigation.
If you hoped for radical reinventions, these expansions don‘t necessarily deliver that. It‘s refinements and additions to the same fundamental gameplay foundations.
The New Maps Are Gorgeous and Refreshing
While the core mechanics stay the same, exploring the new lands is undoubtedly the highlight. Sailing along Ireland‘s coasts or besieging the lavish cities of Francia bring tremendous new beauty and flavors.
The art direction and attention to historical detail is incredible. These new environments breathe fresh life into the experience despite the familiar game loops.
More of What You Loved…For Better or Worse
Ultimately, the expansions provide "more Valhalla" – more stunning exploration and conquests in meticulously crafted worlds. If that‘s what you crave, they deliver in spades. But they don‘t necessarily fix issues like repetitive missions for those less engrossed by the base game.
Think of them more as "Valhalla 1.5 and 2.0" rather than revolutionary new directions. Evaluate based on your enjoyment of the core experience.
Additional Standalone Stories vs. Continuations
It‘s also worth noting that the expansions provide standalone stories and events that don‘t necessarily build directly off your main game progress.
They aren‘t heavy on crossover characters or narrative continuity. You‘re experiencing localized legends detached from Eivor‘s central journey.
That allows more player freedom, but may disappoint those hoping for direct continuations.
Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck with the Season Pass
At $40 USD retail price, the amount of content is strong value – you‘re essentially getting two full games. However, there are ways to get even more value:
Wait for Sales
Since the Season Pass isn‘t essential, it pays to wait for sales, especially during big events like the holidays. A 50% off discount would make it a steal for the content. Ubisoft runs frequent sales.
Buy the Valhalla "Complete" Editions
Purchasing the Complete Editions that already include the Season Pass content can be cheaper than buying separately. Take advantage of bundle deals.
Don‘t Sleep on the Legend of Beowulf Quest
While short, this imaginative little quest is a gem many may overlook. For mythology buffs, it alone may justify part of the Season Pass cost.
Compare Value to Dawn of Ragnarok
At $40, compare the Season Pass value to the $40 Dawn of Ragnarok expansion releasing separately. More content vs potential innovation.
Think Long-Term Entertainment Value Per Dollar
Lastly, remember this is an entertainment hobby. The 60+ hours of expansions equate to only around $0.50-$1 of cost per hour of enjoyment. Pretty good value compared to other pastimes!
Bottom Line – A Strong Add-On for Fans of the Base Game
If you loved exploring Valhalla‘s world and want to keep living the Viking life in stunning new locales, the Season Pass is absolutely worth picking up when on sale.
The 60+ hours of additional content provide a staggering amount of gameplay value that will keep you immersed in the Viking era for a long time to come.
However, if you found the general mission structure repetitive, it may just deliver more of the same without fixing core issues. Consider what you want out of post-launch content before diving in.
For me as an avid fan, the Season Pass was money well spent. But analyze the pros and cons in this guide to make the best decision for your personal tastes. Skål!