The most recent full-story Assassin's Creed game that Ubisoft has released is Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. The developers at Ubisoft spend years creating games with rich open worlds full of detail, and in the Assassin's Creed franchise, this is evident through the thorough research and development of the games, staying focused of all aspects of the player's experience.
Within the game, alongside the intriguing main storyline, are what the game calls "World Events," its version of side quests. These side quests introduce a fresh approach to understanding the main characters within the AC series, but which are the best?
The Hunt For Honor
As players play as Eivor, a skilled fighter, they are able to come across a young man that wants to bring honor to his family in the region of Rygjafylke. This young man, however, isn't skilled enough to become a warrior.
Through the role-playing experience of AC: Valhalla, Eivor may let the man die in battle, or help them gain strength through practice. The small decision made by the player will lead to very different outcomes but will further the relationships between Eivor and these other characters.
The Last Leaf Of Fall
It would not be an Assassin's Creed game without a side quest involving a young child. Taking place in the Ledecestrescire region, Eivor comes across a young girl awaiting the return of her father.
The heavy topic allows the player to choose between three dialogue options, but nonetheless, the character must encourage the girl to stop waiting by the tree by letting a leaf fall. It is a sad situation, but through Eivor, players are able to help the little girl move on.
Ledecestresscire Sauce
Another World Event in Ledecestrescire involves a cook. In one of the more humorous and light-hearted side quests, Eivor must find the secret ingredient to the man's special sauce.
Eivor must find an eel in order to finish the sauce, and the task involves some swimming and hunting. While at first glance, this quest is not as important in the grand scheme of things, it creates a balance within the player's gameplay experience as they complete this mundane task.
Aelfred's Jewel
In the Wincestre region, Eivor must deal with the curious case of a beloved jewel. An angry dispute between a man and a goldsmith takes place.
Eivor breaks into the goldsmith's house and can either take the jewel, pay the difference, or convince the goldsmith to let the jewel go. However, the last option requires a higher level of Charisma. This side quest is a great example of how Charisma levels affect gameplay, a new feature in AC games.
An Althing For The Half-Grown
Another light-hearted World Event, involving the lives of young children in Snotinghamscire, is a great opportunity for Eivor to help progress some goals of the locals, in addition to some comic relief.
These children are meeting to vote on issues within their group, such as where to play and what their gang will be called. Eivor will help vote, allowing them to reach a decision. It's an adorable task that feels just as fulfilling as fighting enemies and thugs.
The Pardoner's Tale
In the Cent area, Eivor is able to come across a crime and investigate. After talking to and listening to an elderly man, the player can examine three bodies and the surrounding crime scene.
Assassin's Creed games have previously incorporated some investigative components into some of their gameplay. In this World Event, the task is completed following the investigation and fighting the murder weapon.
Falling Stars
A more in-depth side quest in the Lunden region involves poetry. In this task, Eivor must help a local performance be able to do their show by assisting three people.
One is a woman in debt, so the player must pay her in order for her to be able to perform. Another woman is unable to create poetry without her muse, so Eivor helps her come up with a rhyme. Lastly, Eivor must free an imprisoned man. Through those tasks, the entertainers are able to continue their show, which is an example of the artistic history found within AC.
Life-Blood
In East Anglia, Eivor comes across mystery and magic. The player finds a young woman looking to receive a magic potion in order to save her starving family.
There are two ways to help the woman, either by helping her complete her sacred ritual or taking her to a hut where she can receive the elixir to grow her crops. In either scenario, the woman is grateful to the player, therefore, a reward is earned.
The Lord Of Norsexe
Assassin's Creed characters are never far from conflict. In the region of Grantebridgescire, players approach a man who explains the island of Norsexe is a kingdom, and that his brother drowned in the water.
The man is looking for a lost treasure, but once Eivor returns the valuable, he proposes an alliance. Another choice must be made, either to accept or reject the offer. If the player rejects the offer, it becomes clear that the man may have had something to do with his brother's death. Players then will have to fight the man after he attacks the player.
Degolas The Beautiful
In between the conflict and brawls the player can find themselves in, are the more ridiculous but funny tasks they can complete. In the Grantebridgescire region, Eivor comes across a boy and his father, and the smelly house they live in.
Apparently, the father refuses to bathe. Therefore, the player must find a way to help the boy clean his father. Using a bow and arrow, the player can cause the platform the father is standing on to collapse so that he can fall into the water. It is a small side quest where Eivor's skills can be put to use, even when it is a stinky old man who needs help.