Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Has Changed Up the Leveling System of the Previous Two Games
Assassin’s Creed’s shift from an action-stealth series with RPG elements to a full-on action-RPG series with tons of sidequests, expanded leveling, and more of an emphasis on player choice has been met with both praise and criticism from its fanbase.
While some fans say that the new change in direction adds more depth to the previously simplistic combat and stealth gameplay, others dislike how they’re forced at times to grind their way to high-enough levels in order to progress through the stories and side content of Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey.
So, how will next game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, change the leveling system? Creative director Ashraf Ismail told Game Informer in a lengthy interview that the progression system in Valhalla is more about “power” than levels.
“As part of our fresh take on the RPG elements and progression, I would say it’s less about levels and it’s more about the sense of power,” Ismail answered when asked if the numerical leveling system would return. “Based on the skills you have, you gain power. That’s how we look at that mechanism in the world; it’s really about your capacities and what you can do. Yes, there is a rating that is given, which encompasses at some point your gear as well. But it’s really about the skills you’ve learned, what you can do, and that value is rated. So it’s a sense of power rather than levels.”
Ismail also said that the gear system has been “revamped” though the way he described the new system makes it sound similar to the systems of previous two games: “Every piece of gear you find is unique. You can upgrade each piece of gear. If you wish to carry the same piece of gear to the end of the game, you can. Or if you want to collect everything, that’s up to you. Everything has its own unique value. At a certain point, you can start customizing gear. So it’s a new take on that RPG format in terms of gear.”
Hopefully, more will be made clear about the new progression system when Assassin’s Creed Valhalla gameplay gets revealed on Thursday at an upcoming Xbox showcase.