AC Valhalla The DLC Review for The Siege of Paris (PC)

One of the best AC Valhalla expansions is The Siege of Paris. There are brand-new opponent kinds, weaponry, and maps of Francia to discover. You may not be happy with your experience if you were hoping for a significant improvement. You will find it fascinating, however, whether this is a prelude to the expansion that Ubisoft has promised for us to play next year. The Siege of Paris demonstrates that AC Valhalla, which is about to start its second season, is capable of introducing new game features and captivating villains that we all like seeing in the franchise. Allow me to explain why I believe AC Valhalla: The Siege of Paris is one of the greatest additions in the series so far in my review.

Review of AC Valhalla: The Siege of Paris

The Scene: The Revised History

The Siege of Paris, if history is any guide, was the most audacious Viking conquest. Sigfred led 700 ships up the Seine river, carrying an estimated 30,000–40,000 troops. This is the largest Viking fleet that has ever been documented in history. As Sigfred's niece Toka, second in command of the Elgring Clan in Francia, calls Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, reliving history. Sigfred asks for your help in laying siege to Paris and preventing the Francian King Charles the Fat from destroying all Viking settlements surrounding the English channel. You embarked on your expedition into the center of France, where you will complete 10 hours of primary quests and an extra 5 hours of side missions.

When compared to the verdant hills and meadows that the Wraith of Druids brought to Ireland, the landscape in Paris in the ninth century is not radically different. However, the fog and gloom of desolation over the war-torn nation create an eerie mood. Do I think Paris in the DLC stands up to the history now that I've looked at the city itself? If you're not looking for a history lesson, then I would say sure. You may undoubtedly experience seeing these pivotal events through the perspective of a Viking in this expansion if that is your goal. The Ubisoft Montreal crew does a great job capturing the spirit of Paris in the midst of the second Viking assault.

However, I thought that there were a few things lacking. Something like Assassin's Creed Origins, where you hear modernized Egyptian in streets of Siwa, Greek in Alexandria & Latin among Roman soldiers, or even Old French of the 9th century, would have added a lot more realism. Because France and England have such similar appearances, you might sometimes wonder where you are. Comparing the two sites side by side, I wish the map included more information. But in actuality, that's how these places seem. Large, fertile areas of both England and France are what originally drew Viking settlers. I thus cannot hold the developers responsible for it.

A Novel Storyline & a Novel Villain

One of the finest villains in the series appears in AC Valhalla. Charles the Fat is a valiant foe who is committed to eradicating the Viking clans from his territory because he feels it is his divinely granted prerogative. There's also a side story that introduces you to the Catholic church's cultish tactics against common people. However, the tale doesn't progress toward a resolution by the DLC's finish. It makes sense given that you are observing merely the starting a broad narrative spanning the series – extending even to the Spanish Inquisition in the 2016 movie and as Assassin's Creed II's arch-enemy Pope Alexander VI.

With this new addition, Charles the Fat lives up to his position as Pope Alexander VI in AC Valhalla. Every move Francia takes to either tame or confine this wild beast becomes vital given the mounting danger it poses. I don't want to go into more detail since doing so would be unfair and would ruin the experience you are hoping for.

The icing on the cake is that every single minute of the real Siege is breathtaking and the suspense of the actual event is palpable in the game. Kudos to the developers for creating an incredible event that every player may experience at home. Up until now, no other game has been able to adequately capture it.

The Experience – It's Time to Try Something Different

Black Box Missions from AC Unity: Infiltration Missions are Back

The Black Box missions from AC Unity have been replaced with Infiltration Missions. There are several Infiltration Missions to choose from, and with contextual clues in each, the player may choose and create their own plan of attack instead than adhering to a single, preset path to the goal. If players properly examine their aims, they will be able to unlock exclusive assassination sequences.

Vive la résistance: Rebel Missions

Eivor will aid the rebels in France and stand with them against the troops of Charles the Fat. The Player will be able to train their Rebel allies from a group of devoted peasants to skilled soldiers as they accomplish these daily goals. As an alternative to a peasant with a pitchfork, you may train your men to be actual soldiers by unlocking one to multiple Rebels. Unlike the repetitive "do this, kill that" missions for rewards, this is new to AC Valhalla.

Rat Swarms — An Unsettling Tale of Plague

The Rat Swarm is a terrible new nuisance that Eivor has to deal with since there is a plague in Francia. A huge obstacle in your way will be the Rats' approach, encirclement, and assault of you or any other close NPCs. You can't kill them with any weapon, but you can temporarily repel them by swinging your weapon. To clear the way or go in a different direction to reach your destination, you may, however, keep them within grates. To advance in the game, you have to finish one of the new navigation difficulties.

New Opponents and Armaments

Francia is home to a brand-new opponent type known as Heavy Cavalry. These horse-mounted troops deliver heaps of damage to Eivor and have a far longer weapon range than the English infantry. They are a very strong opponent type since the majority of the skills you have acquired during the game will be useless against their strikes. This contributes to the combat's dual frustration and challenge.

The introduction of the new Scythe weapons is the only aspect of the new combat improvements that isn't frustrating. These weapons work really well at controlling crowds and taking out single targets. Cool new animation movements and special attacks accompany each new weapon type. It's true that it's amazing to see adversaries get their limbs severed (sorry). You have to use this kind of weaponry firsthand to really believe it.

Final Verdict: AC Valhalla: The Siege of Paris Review

For real fans of the franchise, AC Valhalla The Siege of Paris DLC is a must-play, with new gameplay aspects like Rat Swarm puzzles and the return of Black Box assassinations in the guise of Infiltration Missions.

The addition of fresh, likable individuals with goals and aspirations of their own gives the narrative even more dimension. Sometimes your heart yearns for something more, like a whole different perspective on the map. However, given the previews of the next expansion that are currently under way, I think the significant redesign is still in the works.

The Siege of Paris bridges the significant void left by a worthy antagonist to live on in our memories, and it also represents the largest siege of the city in a way that no other Viking game has ever done. In conclusion, my assessment of AC Valhalla The Siege of Paris is as follows: this expansion is a much-appreciated addition to the ever-expanding AC Saga, and it's a great way to really understand what it's like to be a 9th-century Viking.