Is the Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla Complete Edition Worth It? An In-Depth Buying Guide
If you want the definitive, complete experience of Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla with all current and future content, the Complete Edition is certainly the best version to get. For hardcore fans eager to immerse themselves in this enormous open world RPG, it‘s the full package.
Evaluating the Base Game: Hundreds of Hours of Content
With reviews praising its visceral combat, beautiful world, and engaging story, Valhalla‘s base game offers tremendous value even without any additional content.
The main story itself provides over 50 hours of gameplay – nearly 15 more than previous AC title Odyssey according to HowLongToBeat.com. Completing side quests and exploration pushes total playtime well over 100 hours for the average player.
For context, data compiled by Gamereactor shows Valhalla has the longest main story campaign in the entire Assassin‘s Creed series. And its world size tops Odyssey‘s previous record at approximately 240 km2 according to the developers.
With the Standard Edition just $59.99, that‘s an absurd amount of content and playtime for the money. But of course, Valhalla has even more to offer.
Key Features of the Base Game
Let‘s dig deeper into some of the key features that make Valhalla‘s base game so strong:
- Visceral combat with dual-wielding and special abilities
- Massive open world across several regions of England and Norway
- Epic raids on Saxon strongholds with your Viking crew
- Deep character customization and RPG progression
- Beautiful graphics and art direction inspired by Norse mythology
- Memorable game world with rich historical detail and ambience
With so much content and polish evident even without DLC, Valhalla sets a strong foundation. But for series fans eager for more, the post-launch expansions build nicely on that base.
Must-Have DLC Expansions
The two major expansions for Valhalla, Wrath of the Druids and Siege of Paris, provide vital additions for players wanting more from their stay in the Viking era.
Wrath of the Druids
Set in Ireland, this expansion offers an entirely new map and storyline to play through. Reviews consistently praise the fresh setting and additions like druidic magic abilities.
“A fun romp through Ireland that showcases some small but smart evolutions to the core experience.”
– 9/10 IGN
Most players report around 15-20 hours spent on the Wrath of the Druids content – a sizable expansion. The ability to dual wield heavy weapons added here also carries back to the main game nicely.
Siege of Paris
The other major expansion shifts the setting to Francia for a climactic siege on Paris. This DLC brings tweaks like new enemy types and more tactical stealth focused infiltration.
“Siege of Paris doubles down on stealth, distilling the Viking experience into its purest essence.”
– GameRevolution
While smaller than Wrath of the Druids, Siege of Paris still provides several more hours of Assassin‘s Creed gameplay and a fresh experience. It‘s lighter on new features, but the shifts in style help keep things interesting.
Together these expansions make the Gold and Complete Editions excellent values when they are bundled with the Season Pass – providing over 40 more hours of gameplay.
Dawn of Ragnarok: A Must-Have Expansion
But perhaps the main reason to jump up to the Complete Edition is the massive Dawn of Ragnarok expansion included.
This fantasy-based DLC adds an entirely new realm to explore inspired directly by Norse mythology. You control a divine-powered Odin on a journey through the dwarven land of Svartalfheim.
“A staggering amount of content paired with exciting abilities makes this one of the most memorable AC expansions.”
– GameRevolution
At around 35 hours long, Dawn of Ragnarok almost qualifies as a full game itself according to Ubisoft. Early reviews praise the scope, fantastical setting, and Odin‘s radical new powers like telekinesis, frost beams, and fire explosions.
It‘s precisely the kind of fresh experience that can reignite your passion after already sinking 100+ hours into the base game and previous DLCs. Given its sheer size and glowing reception, Dawn of Ragnarok may be reason enough to upgrade to the Complete Edition.
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Edition Recommendations for Each Player
Given the wealth of content available across editions, which Valhalla version is best for you? Here are our top picks based on player profiles:
For Assassin‘s Creed Veterans
If you‘ve played past games extensively, the Complete Edition is a must. You‘ll appreciate the full breadth of content and likely play for 200+ hours.
For Open World Completionists
Want to see and do everything the game has to offer? The Complete Edition‘s sheer volume of content makes it perfect for 100% completion.
For Story Focused Players
If you just want to experience the main story arcs, the Standard Edition provides more than enough of a Viking saga for the price.
For Multiplayer Fans
Sadly there is no multiplayer mode. All editions focus solely on single player content.
For those New to the Series
The Standard Edition is a great entry point to experience the core gameplay before pursuing DLC.
For Casual Gamers
With a lengthy main story, the Standard Edition already provides plenty for infrequent players to enjoy at their own pace.
Based on your interests and play style, choosing the right edition comes down to appetite for extra content. Let‘s compare what you gain or lose with each step up in versions.
Comparing Editions – What You Get at Each Level
| Edition | Includes | Price (USD) | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Base Game | $59.99 | 100+ hours |
| Gold | Base Game + Season Pass with Major Expansions | $99.99 | 140+ hours |
| Ultimate | Base Game + Season Pass + Bonus Content | $109.99 | 140+ hours |
| Complete | Base Game + Season Pass + Bonus Content + Dawn of Ragnarok | $119.99 | 200+ hours |
Reviewing the editions:
- The Season Pass adds 25+ hours of highly praised expansions in the Gold and Complete Editions.
- The Complete Edition extends playtime further with 40 more hours from the Dawn of Ragnarok DLC.
- You get all current and future Valhalla content with the Complete Edition.
The more content you want, the higher edition you should buy. But what if you aren‘t sure how much you‘ll play? Let‘s cover some quick tips to get Valhalla at the best price.
Finding Deals – Tips to Get the Best Price
Here are some ways to get discounts on your preferred edition:
- Watch for sales around the holidays or major gaming events.
- Buy a used physical copy at retailers for possible savings.
- Look for discounts on third party key seller sites like CDKeys.
- Start with Standard and upgrade later if you want more content.
- The Season Pass often goes on sale separately from the main game.
With some strategic shopping around, you can often get 20-50% off Valhalla editions.
But of course, deals don‘t matter if you aren‘t buying the right version in the first place.
The Verdict: Why Complete Edition is Best for Most Players
Let‘s summarize why the Complete Edition is worth recommending to the majority of Assassin‘s Creed players:
- Adds over 60 hours of acclaimed DLC expansions to an already huge base game.
- Includes the massive 35+ hour Dawn of Ragnarok expansion.
- Exciting new content and abilities extend lifespan for series veterans.
- Great value when bundled vs buying everything separately.
- Have it all now rather than deciding on DLC later.
- Playtime potential of 200+ hours for completionist players.
For most fans eager to really immerse themselves in Valhalla‘s rich Norse-inspired world, the Complete Edition is absolutely the best choice. While Standard may be sufficient for some, you guarantee yourself hundreds of hours of acclaimed content right from the start with Complete.
However, more budget-conscious gamers comfortable with missing some DLC can certainly start with Standard and upgrade later. Just know that purchasing each expansion separately negates most cost savings.
In conclusion, if you plan to spend over 100 hours raiding and exploring every corner of Valhalla’s vast open world, the Complete Edition is absolutely worth buying. It bundles all of the game’s best content into one satisfying package fit for a Viking. Skål!