14 DAY TRIAL // If you thought you're done with Assassin's Creed Valhalla after many, many hours, think again. Ubisoft wants us to return to one of the most popular titles in the franchise to try out a new game mode and a bunch of other improvements.
The so-called Yule Season update brings additional free content to the game for all players, including a new game mode, Jomsviking upgrades, new abilities and rewards, and two new unlockable buildings in the Settlement – the River Raid Dock and the Jomsviking Hall.
The new River Raids game mode lets players experience raiding in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla whenever they wish. The mode provides access to higher-stakes raids, with unique maps and rewards, in which the player can raid without impacting their main game progression and alliances in England. Unlike the original raiding feature, the raiding crew can be temporarily lost if players don’t revive them during the raid.
Also, the new game mode adds a Jomsviking Crew created by other players online and led by the player’s personal Jomsviking Lieutenant. Finally, an all-new fully customizable longship exclusive to the game mode, whose cargo hold can be upgraded to bring more resources back from River Raids, is now available in Assassin's Creed Valhalla too.
As far as the new unlockable buildings go, the new Jomsviking Hall has three levels to upgrade in Season 1, with the higher the Hall’s level the higher the ranked Jomsvikings it will attract for the player to recruit. More importantly, Jomsviking also now have ranks, with the higher-ranked Jomsvikings having greater survivability in River Raids.
Last but not least, the update brings additional abilities and rewards: The Saint George Armor set and Great Sword, 3 new abilities that are hidden in monasteries, 2 new Settlement Buildings, and a new set of longship and player cosmetics.
Assassin's Creed fans should expect a new season of free content to start in March 2021. Season 2, named Ostara will bring a festival in the Settlement, a new game mode that builds on Valhalla’s core combat experiences, new gear, and cosmetic items. And, of course, let's not forget that the first Assassin's Creed Valhalla expansion, Wrath of the Druids is set for release in Spring 2021.