Assassin’s Creed Valhalla places heavy plot emphasis on Norse mythology, going so far as to shift between narratives in Asgard and Earth throughout the campaign. The God of War games take place in the mythological realms of gods and goddesses, featuring pantheons from several different cultures. In the most recent God of War, particular focus was placed on Norse gods, goddesses, and legends through the addition of Kratos’s Jotun wife, Faye, and the introduction of his son Atreus (later revealed to be Loki). Assassin’s Creed Valhalla recently released its first DLC called Wrath of the Druids, but another DLC could create a crossover between these two beloved franchises.
As AC Valhalla’s story progresses, Loki is placed in a pivotal narrative position to the main plotline. Loki is destined to bring about Ragnarok, the catastrophe which summons the end times in Norse mythology. There are many signs throughout Valhalla‘s campaign about the approach of Ragnarok, through the appearance and fight against Fenrir and the intent of Basim to locate his other children. The upcoming fifth installment of God of War will also place a heavy emphasis on Ragnarok, going so far as say “Ragnarok is coming” in its reveal trailer. With so many interpretations of this cataclysmic event in Norse mythology, it stands to reason that the creative minds between both of these franchises would be able to take advantage of similar themes and craft a crossover DLC for AC Valhalla.
Both God of War and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla utilized Asgard as a location, with both frequent mentions in God of War and physical form in Valhalla’s narrative shifts. Placing a DLC in the glorious realm of the Norse pantheon could not only serve as the perfect location for a crossover DLC but introduce a more open world location in the realm of the gods similar to those seen in God of War. More brutal combat, godly boss fights, and cunning deception throughout the realm of Asgard could make for an interesting combination between God of War’s brutal gameplay and Assassin’s Creed’s subtly. Utilizing Asgard as the setting would allow for more inclusion between the characters of each franchise, and eliminate any confusion the DLC risks by separating it from Eivor’s story.
With Loki as a Major Character, Anything is Possible
Players were introduced to Kratos’s son, Atreus, in the latest God of War game. A surprise twist revealed that not only was Atreus the Norse god Loki, but he was destined to kill his father. This places Atreus in a main role for God of War: Ragnarok. Similarly, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla players switched protagonists during the epilogue and played Basim (also known as Loki) following the death of Layla. While Assassin’s Creed Valhalla allowed players to replay Eivor’s memories at the end of the game, crafting a DLC that would allow Basim to delve into Loki’s memories would be the perfect opportunity for a crossover to the God of War franchise. The teenage and young adult years of Loki’s life are still unexplored in both franchises, allowing this period to be further explained in a DLC.
Major crossovers between different franchises are rarely considered canon, but it can be entertaining for fans of both series to experience the chaotic alternate universes that are born from these efforts. The non-canon nature of crossovers can also allow developers to have more creative freedom. Seeing as God of War’s newest installment has revealed little about its story, and the next Assassin’s Creed game is likely years away, both developers would be able to experiment with their Norse characters and stories by co-creating a God of War Assassin’s Creed Valhalla DLC.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the God of War series could both benefit from a crossover DLC based on the conflict of the Norse gods. The focus of Loki as a protagonist in God of War: Ragnarok and the pieces of his story that remain unanswered offer potential memories for the Animus to access. The emphasis on Ragnarok sets up the perfect weight of importance both franchises make frequent use of. With Loki’s full story and intentions unknown, developers can experiment with some creative freedoms in a DLC that would likely be considered non-canon for both franchises anyway.
