To be quite honest, this is our second article about AC Valhalla Game, and probably the fifth focusing on Vikings, from movies to series. In the first one, we tied the fantastic game with The Last Kingdom. One of the best series out there, and yes. You can read our review here. But the second one is all about The Northman. A review of the Northman if you will, and we can’t wait to tell you more. About AC Valhalla and The Northman.
But first, let us tell you all about AC Valhalla.
What’s The AC Valhalla Game All About You Might Ask?
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a great RPG game for you. It’s also the twelfth major installment in the Assassin’s Creed series. And the successor to 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Which we covered extensively here at IndieGala.
But in AC Valhalla, we get to see England in the age of the Vikings. It is a fractured nation of petty lords and warring kingdoms. But beneath the chaos lies a rich and untamed land waiting for a new conqueror.
You also get to become Eivor. A Viking raider raised to be a fearless warrior. And you can lead your clan from icy desolation in Norway to a new home. Amid the lush farmlands of ninth-century England. Find your settlement and conquer this hostile land by any means to earn a place in Valhalla.
Here’s a fun fact for this game. This is the fourth game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise (Revelations (2011), IV: Black Flag (2013), Origins (2017)) to be directed by the duo of Ashraf Ismail and Darby McDevitt. Furthermore, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020) takes place in 873 AD. Chronologically speaking, it is the closest to the original Assassin’s Creed (2007) in the series’ timeline. Which takes place in 1191 AD. How cool is that?
And yes. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is available for purchase here at IndieGala. But so are the rest of the Assassin’s Creed games. Just click here and pick the best one for you.
But What About The Northman? Is It As Good As AC Walhalla Game?
We argue that it’s the kind of a movie that we thought Hollywood doesn’t make anymore. A revenge epic movie for the ages. Filled with gore, gruesome death and surrealism that will leave you on the edge, in almost every second of the 140 minutes of runtime.
But in essence, The Northman is all about Amleth, a Viking warrior prince (played by Alexander Skarsgård as an adult). After his father’s murder (orchestrated by his uncle Fjölnir), he leaves his homeland. And while he’s on the run from his uncle, he vows to someday avenge the death of his father. But along the way of his vengeance journey, he’ll find plenty of friends and foes that will make it all that much more challenging. Olga of the Birch Forest sorceress (Anya Taylor-Joy) is one of those friends, but you’ll be surprised who’s the foe in his life.
Beautifully Made And Well-Acted?
It sure is. First and foremost you’ll be amazed by the raw and engaging performances from Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy who lead the team of excellence. However, Ethan Hawke, Nicole Kidman and Willem Dafoe are not too shabby either. I was particularly impressed with Hawke’s performance, as limited as it may be here. But the thing that deserves praise is Robert Egger’s smooth and visceral direction. Not to mention the script and almost surreal cinematography from Jarin Blaschke. He gives the movie a dream-like feel and yes. It works like a charm in both the action-packed fight scenes. And in the calmer but almost hallucinogenic scenes filled with mysticism and mythology.
But the Northman doesn’t shy away from realism in almost any aspect. From the magnificent portrayal of the Viking culture to the horrors of war. Eggers also doesn’t shy away from heavy topics such as killing, raiding, pillaging and yes. Even incest. There’s a heavy, dark (both visually and tonally) and melancholic feel to the movie and you have Eggers, Sjon and the cinematographer to thank for that. But I can’t help but praise the wonderful costume and set design as well. They’re both amazing, and they both round up the brutal realism in the movie beautifully.
Complex Characters And Complex Themes
There are plenty to choose from here. From both sides to be honest. They’re ambiguous and you can’t really distinguish their intentions properly right until the end. The biggest example of this is Queen Gudrún, but there are plenty more examples as well. However, this ambiguity ties the story to something else. Something completely different. Childhood’s misunderstanding of events that concern the adults. A child will always look at the things around us with a rather childhood innocence. And with that, we refuse to acknowledge them as they really are.
Amleth is no different actually. It’s much later in life that he learns the truth about his parent’s marriage. But all in all, The Nortman is not everyone’s cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong. It’s beautiful and dark at the same time. It’s also a frightening movie that pulls no punches. Moreover, it doesn’t care for political correctness and representation. But at the same time, it tries to be truthful to the history behind it. It’s of a kind type of movie that I ponder how it got made in this day and age. But kudos to the cast and crew for making it.
Are You A Fan Of AC Valhalla Game?
And how about The Northman? What’s your take on the 2022 movie? Do you like it? Or do you think it’s a miss? Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know all about it.
