The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Assassin's Creed Valhalla both feature romance mechanics of varying quality. While each game takes inspiration from Norse culture, gameplay mechanics, goals, characters, and other features are incredibly different. Romance is increasingly common in modern RPGs, allowing players to bond with their favorite virtual companions. Unfortunately, these systems can fail to provide players ample entertainment and meaningful connection in roleplay scenarios. Either way, both Skyrim and Assassin's Creed Valhalla have unique takes on video game romances.
NPCs often offer side quests outside Skyrim's main questline or other services to the Dragonborn when they're first encountered. While some players may complete these quests for the potential rewards, some NPCs qualify for marriage once their needs have been met. The game explains this sudden increase in attraction by stating that "life is short" in the dangerous nation, leaving many individuals to settle for the first suitable partner they come across. Players can adopt children and pets alongside their spouses, and move into one of the many purchasable houses throughout the country. This domesticity can provide players with more personable, long-term goals in a game where the Dragonborn is constantly hailed as a legendary hero.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla also features RPG-style romance options, increasing the game's customization for every player's Eivor. As the legendary Viking Assassin navigates the politics of tribal warfare and confronts ancient threats, players also have the opportunity to claim a haven. It's not unusual for Assassin's Creed to nudge its main characters into relationships, but the franchise only recently allowed players to choose for themselves. Previous romances, such as those with Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore, provided static, passive relationships for players as they navigated the game's roots. However, Assassin's Creed Valhalla provides dialogue trees and questlines attached to its romance options. This ensures the experience is a tangible journey to humanize a legendary warrior.
Skyrim Has More Romance Options For Players Than AC Valhalla
There are many Skyrim marriage options to pursue, ranging from companions to random NPCs that inhabit different holds. From the moment players exit the tutorial area and begin their trek towards civilization, they can encounter characters eligible for marriage. There are over fifty available spouses throughout Skyrim, available for players of all genders, species, and sexes. Players can obtain an Amulet of Mara in Riften and equip it onto their Dragonborn to let characters know they're available. A wedding ceremony occurs after players choose an unmarried spouse, and the Dragonborn can cohabitate with their new spouse. The spouse can also embark on adventures with their legendary partner, but players should understand they are not invincible.
Unfortunately for players, Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim fails to encourage romance beyond the occasional buff, homecooked meal, and bag of gold. Additionally, it can be difficult for first-time players to locate potential spouses. While locating one of over 50 partners within Skyrim's borders may seem simple, some of the most obvious (and popular) character choices aren't available to romance. Players also can't end relationships when they'd like and are resorted to murdering their partner if they tire of their selection. The game lacks meaningful dialogue and cutscenes that give weight to most romances in RPGs, meaning players are left to carry the brunt of their relationship through independent roleplay.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Romances Are More Detailed Than Skyrim's
Unlike Skyrim, Assassin's Creed Valhalla's romanceable character options only number a dozen, including the additions made in Wrath of the Druids. Ubisoft locks romances by gender, dialogue choices, and quest completion, meaning players must be cautious when navigating the main story. Players can romance nine characters in the base game and two additional characters in the Wrath of the Druids DLC. While Assassin's Creed Valhalla doesn't offer as much player character customization as Eivor, the relationship between Eivor and their partner offers more purpose and depth to players' adventures. Additionally, some romances can affect the ending players receive, as can other relationships developed throughout the game. These social and storytelling consequences enhance the reasoning behind romancing certain characters over others, surpassing some of Skyrim's best romance options.
The best advantage Assassin's Creed Valhalla has in romance is its dedicated cutscenes and stories. While most characters throughout Tamriel require some quest or other to influence their romance availability, Assassin's Creed Valhalla improves the system. Several romance options have prerequisites to unlock them, and Eivor must first befriend their potential partner before romancing them. Forcing players to take their time and commit to certain characters over others improves the tangibility of each relationship, making the experience more impactful. While some Assassin's Creed Valhalla characters prove better partners than others, the variety of dialogue, quest longevity, and personal story make each romance feel unique.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Has Far Better Romance Options Than Skyrim
Between each Norse-inspired, open-world adventure game, Assassin's Creed Valhalla has the better romances. Each relationship and character is fully developed and provides contextual meaning to each unique interaction. Though romances are a recent addition to the Assassin's Creed franchise, it's already surpassed the standard set by Bethesda. Even in recent titles like Fallout 4, dialogue that influences characters' relationships with the player character feel repetitive between options. Skyrim forces players to assign meaning to their own romances, instead of creating romance stories to explore with each character.
Unfortunately, some of Skyrim's best characters aren't available to romance and run out of usefulness when players complete their quests. Assassin's Creed Valhalla's limited romance options allowed Ubisoft to craft superior questlines, dialogue, and personal connection to Eivor. While player experiences with Skyrim's romance are generally identical, AC Valhalla provides a fresh take on Norse intimacy, despite lacking some of the fantasy diversity featured in The Elder Scrolls franchise.
While romance options likely aren't the reason behind buying The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's many ports or Assassin's Creed Valhalla, it contributes to each game's overall enjoyment. Furthermore, Skyrim's advanced age introduces plenty of restrictions to overall game design, which should be acknowledged to make the judgment fairer. However, video games ultimately aim to entertain specific audiences, and players should choose whichever game (and virtual partner) brings them the most enjoyment. Skyrim features hundreds of hours of content, even if its romances aren't its greatest feature, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla offers a similar, thrilling adventure with more mythological roots and meaningful relationships.