Alexa, play “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin because Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla comes out today. But after the homophobia we experienced in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, is it worth to buy this game for the chance to be a lesbian Viking? It just might be.
So What’s the Deal With Odyssey?
We were all beyond excited for Odyssey. When Ubisoft showed us a gameplay trailer where the female protagonist was romancing another woman, we were under the impression that we could be a lesbian in this game. They even told us it was possible! And let’s not forget, since the game took place in ancient Greece, we would have the chance to visit Lesbos and possibly see Mother Sappho herself. We were betrayed.
Goddess, sing the song of my wrath, she who made Ubisoft a feast for the birds! Was it truly bad enough that I was forced to recite a bit of the Iliad? Yes. Most of the outrage came when Ubisoft released DLCs to continue the story. But no matter what you did, the game forced your character into a heterosexual marriage. Ubisoft did apologize for the DLCs. “We want to extend an apology to players disappointed by a relationship your character takes part in.” But despite this apology, Ubisoft defended its decision. If you apologize but feel you’ve done nothing wrong, your apology means nothing. But the backlash continued. Shortly after that, the company released a patch to fix this blatant straightwashing. So it should all be fine, right? Well, there was the matter of what happens once you reach Lesbos. Not only do the lesbian lovers die, but the game as the audacity to recite a Sappho quote as your character stands over their bodies.
Valhalla, I am Coming
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at the next game in the series. Valhalla has you playing as Eivor, a Viking raider in 873 AD during the Viking invasion of Britain. Eivor becomes caught up in a conflict between the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order. There are several main story quests and a myriad of side quests. Rumor has it we even get Viking rap battles. And just like in the previous game, you have the option to play your character either as male or female. You character’s hair, tattoos, and armor are all customizable. And if you’ve chosen a female Eivor, you have the option to play as a lesbian.
Narrative director Darby McDevitt states, “there are definitely a couple of one-night stands you can get involved in and they’re fun in their own ways, but there’s also going to be some longer-term relationships. A little of both. If you want to be monogamous and have a single, ongoing relationship with somebody, you can do that.” Seems like this game took notes from Mass Effect and Dragon Age. So, should you buy the game? It sounds like Ubisoft has learned from their mistakes, but only time will tell if that’s truly the case. They wouldn’t do it again… Right? And who doesn’t want to play as beefy lesbian Viking? For now, this game seems like a safe bet. In the event that it repeats Odyssey’s crimes, the map and storyline are large enough that you might be able to avoid any homophobia. And if there was ever a year for games that allow you to get lost in an alternate reality, it’s this one.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla will be released worldwide on November 10, 2020 for Windows, PlaysStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Google Stadia. The PlayStation 5 version will be released on November 12th in the US and Australia and November 19th in Europe.
