With the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X just around the corner, reviews have begun to come in for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which is one of the most highly anticipated launch titles for both next-gen systems. The latest entry in the long-running franchise sees players transported to the time of the Vikings, where they take control of Eivor as the character flees Norway and attempts to conquer various lands in England along with other countries.

Ubisoft recently revealed the full map for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, showing that players will be able to travel to a variety of different nations in the new game. Traditional locations will include England, Norway, and Vinland, where Vikings were known to invade and settle. However, mythological areas such as Asgard and Jotunheim will also be included, suggesting Eivor will encounter Norse gods.

Related: How Long Assassin's Creed Valhalla Takes To Beat

Now that reviews are finally available for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players are finally getting an idea of whether the latest installment moves the franchise forward. The vast majority of the reviews suggest that there have been some major improvements to the playing experience, while the shift back to more assassination-based gameplay has also been praised. However, other reviewers have noted technical issues along with the fact that the title never feels quite as epic as it could be. Here's Screen Rant's review roundup for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, giving players a sense of what critics make of the game.

Assassins Creed Valhalla Eivor Sigund

Rob Gordon - 3.5/5 - Screen Rant

"Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a game of binaries and an ambitious, striking effort, even if it doesn't always have the steadiest of feet. It's a good game, and even great at times, but it never quite manages to work out how to settle its past with its future."

Joshua Duckworth - 4.5/5 - Game Rant

"Where AC Origins introduced RPG mechanics and AC Odyssey took a leap of faith in pushing forward, Assassin's Creed Valhalla brings back the general feeling of being an Assassin from the core action-adventure titles. Indeed, by emphasizing the adventure and exploration components of the franchise, Assassin's Creed Valhalla may just be the most true-to-form release in many years."

Brandin Tyrrel - 8/10 - IGN

"Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a massive, beautiful open-world fueled by brutal living and the dirty work of conquerors. It's a lot buggier than it should be but also impressive on multiple levels."

Brett Makedonski - 6.5/10 - Destructoid

"It's designed to discourage stealth in favor of epic battles. It's true to the Viking experience, but it isn't true to the Assassin's Creed experience. That's why it comes off feeling like the least essential game in the whole series. Impressive in some of its accomplishments, but inessential all the same."

Joe Juba - 9.25/10 - Game Informer

"I loved 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (especially after its post-release support), but that love was always tempered by a desire for improvements. I wished the content felt more carefully curated. I hated grinding to progress the story. I got sick of managing an inventory bloated with loot. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla addresses all of those issues and more, creating a rewarding experience at every turn, whether you’re pursuing the main narrative or hunting down treasure. I'm sure Valhalla is not the perfect Assassin’s Creed game for all players, but it is certainly my new favorite entry."

While Assassin's Creed Valhalla will be available on current-gen systems, many players will be excited to see how the game looks and plays on next-gen hardware. Ubisoft has already confirmed that the title will take advantage of ray tracing technology and will also feature 4K resolutions and a frame rate of 60 frames per second.  That's on top of faster loading times and more responsive gameplay.

From the reviews, it seems like Assassin's Creed Valhalla has seen a return to the classic gameplay formula of the series. There's more focus on assassinations and traditional gameplay rather than the big set pieces of recent entries. That could make it very appealing to long time fans of the Assassin's Creed series, although it may not be suited to those who particularly enjoyed the likes of Odyssey and Origins.

Next: Fans Interested in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Should Watch Vinland Saga

Assassin's Creed Valhalla will release on PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia on November 10, 2020, and it will launch on PS5 on November 12.