Ragnarök, meaning “Fate of the Gods” or “Twilight of the Gods” in Old Norse, apocalyptic concept in Norse mythology. It tells about the end of the world and the apocalypse as a result of the war between the gods and giants. Recently, it has started to be used frequently from movies to TV series and games. Marvel used it with Thor in 2017. A 2020 Netflix series of the same name was also made. In the gaming world, Project Ragnarök was released for mobile devices last year and Sony will also use it in the game series God of War, which is planned to be released this year. Ubisoft, on the other hand, has already entered the Viking world with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and is joining this caravan with its latest DLC, Dawn of Ragnarök, which is also the subject of this review.
Ragnarök through the eyes of Odin
“Dawn of Ragnarök” is Assassin’s Creed’s biggest DLC ever and offers players an all-new, big and offers a truly unique world. The addon is basically a sequel to the legends of Asgard and Jotunheim from the main game. Surtr; Conquering his realm, Odin takes us players to the land of the dwarves as he battles to deal with Ragnarök predictions. Unlike previous addons Wrath of the Druids and The Siege of Paris, we are going to a more mystical world and can be played completely independently. In other words, it is possible to start directly with this DLC, even if you have not made any progress in the main game or played at all.
Actually, when you think about it, this plugin; It could easily have been a standalone game as it is played through the eyes of Odin, who is trying to save his son Baldar from the hands of Surtr, who has occupied Svartalfaheim with the cooperation of Muspel and Jotun, and has no connection with our main character. In fact, we think that Ubisoft will have thought so that they did not include this add-on in the season package and you have to buy it separately.
Even if you haven’t finished the other Odin stories in the base game, as we mentioned earlier, you can jump into this story. Dawn of Ragnarök is also one of the most powerful stories in Assassin’s Creed DLCs. The story of father and son is really emotional. As Odin and Frigg search for their lost son, you identify yourself with the character of Odin. This add-on features a very isolated storyline that is so beautifully woven into the legend that there is no distraction from start to finish.
Fun returns with new mechanics
In Dawn of Ragnarök, we encounter new game mechanics, especially Hugr Rip. This new ability lets you unleash special abilities from defeated enemies and use it in one of five magical powers, including fire and ice, sorcery, teleportation, and flight. Each one is different and makes our lives so much easier in combat, stealth and exploration. The events on the new map are also quite different, and the puzzles waiting for you to solve with the new Hugr powers make you excited again compared to the previous repetitive ones. By the way, let me remind you that your Hugr bar must be full in order to use these powers. Luckily, I didn’t have any trouble with it the whole time I played.
There is rarely a Hugr shortage, with enemies killed and Hugr Blooms generously dissipating radiant energy. In the shrine of Yggdrasil, you can also completely regenerate both of Hugr-Rip’s cells by sacrificing about half of your health bar. This isn’t exactly a sacrifice though, because in most cases there are also “winter chanterelles” nearby where you can regenerate your health. Hugr is so effective in the game that if you start playing the DLC without finishing the main game like me, I’m sure you will miss it when you come back. Many of the new skills and weapon types are so powerful that at times it feels like you’re cheating. I can’t help but add this. They definitely added more fun to the game.
Of course, let’s not skip the visual feast offered by Svartalfaheim. Every corner of the vibrant new world is filled with landscapes of golden mountains, flying rocks, crystal caves and stunning stonework. Muspel looks epic with her flaming hair and Jotun is also noticeably better modeled compared to her look in the base game. Also, I think all the main characters have had their share of this improvement in terms of design. Unlike Francia in the previous addon, every corner of the map is truly worth exploring, including the new accessible sky. By the way, if you want to win the best armor set in the game, I definitely recommend you to visit the Valkyre arena.
How will you play Dawn of Ragnarök DLC?
Of course, if you’re going to play as a mythological God, it shouldn’t surprise you that your power level should reach 340 in the main game. If so, no problem, you can start playing the DLC right away. However, even if you are not at this level, there are two ways to play the new addon.
If you’ve already played the base game, select “Continue” from the main menu as usual or load a previous save. You will immediately receive a warning promoting the Dawn of Ragnarök DLC and a new quest titled Restless Dreams will appear on your list. To complete the quest you need to go to your UK settlement of Ravensthorpe. Here you must go to a certain tree east of your settlement and meditate there. This will take you to your first mission in Svartalfheim. Since the recommended power level for the DLC is 340, if you’re still at a lower level in the main game, the game will temporarily upgrade you after completing the first mission.
After finishing the entrance quest in Svartalfheim, you will wake up under that tree again. To get support and continue playing Dawn of Ragnarök after returning to Ravensthorpe, you need to meet Valka the Seer at her cabin. Of course, for this, you need to have upgraded your settlement to at least level 3 in the game and built Seer’s cabin. It will ask you to perform a ritual that will bring you back to Svartalfheim and will offer you a level up if you need it. All the XP, skill points and items you earn while playing Dawn of Ragnarök stay with you when you return to England, while everything loaned to you as a bonus, including power level, is only available in the DLC.
If you have never played Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, you can choose “New Game” from Valhalla’s main menu and then Dawn of Ragnarök to play Dawn of Ragnarök add-on. Note also that if you choose this option, your DLC experience will be completely separate from the main game, so you won’t be able to transfer the XP, skill points and items you gain in Svartalfheim back to your journey in England.
Well, there is nothing to criticize
It is a pity that it is not included in the season package. Although it is a very nice experience, the price tag seems a bit high for an add-on that can be completed in 15-20 hours. Although it has really epic looking bosses, the game doesn’t push you too hard. Although Assassin’s Creed has never had tough combat mechanics, a little more challenge wouldn’t hurt. Of course that doesn’t count as a minus if you’re playing for its story. “Dawn of Ragnarök” is like an epic family tale with emotional weight.
Conclusion
Thanks to new weapons, brilliant characters and nuanced narration, Dawn of Ragnarök is closer than ever to breaking free from AC Valhalla’s template. While it can’t completely escape some overly familiar quest types, Dawn Of Ragnarök does a great job of putting together a few nice details from the main game and previous expansions. The quest of Svartalfheim and Odin gives AC Valhalla a renewed vigor and may perhaps persuade new players to dive into the series. Dawn of Ragnarök is an important and generally impressive closing to the Valhalla series.
80
Developer Ubisoft Sofia
Distribution Ubisoft
Platform Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4
Genre Open world/Adventure
Web www.ubisoft.com
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