When it comes to subtitles inAssassin’s Creed, it’s easy to think of them in connections to theactual Assassin and time period.Brotherhoodwas Ezio’s strengthening of the Assassin Brotherhood, whileRevelationsis about the things he learns (and thus Desmond learns).Black Flagwas obviously about the pirate theme,Unitywas about the potential alliance of Assassins and Templars in Arno’s time (or at least, of Arno and Elise), and so on.
The same could be said of the last three games.Originsshows the creation of the Hidden Ones, who would eventually become the Assassins.Odysseyis an epic Greek journey, andValhallais a Viking story. However, it seems the last three subtitles accurately reflect Layla’s journey as well.
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AC Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla – Layla Hassan
First, sure,Assassin’s Creed Originsshows the beginning of theAssassin-Templar conflictand reveals how the assassins, in their modern form, get their start. It’s also the first game, or origin, of Layla Hassan. She’s searching for truth and eventually defects from Abstergo to join the assassin ranks. It’s her origin story as a modern-day assassin.
Then, there’s the definition of Odyssey to consider: “a long and eventful or adventurous journey of experience.” Indeed, this reflects in Kassandra as she becomes the Staff’s holder and lives an incredibly long life, even meeting Eivor on the way in the recentAC Odyssey-ValhallaCrossover Stories. However, Layla also journeys to Atlantis, which is both eventful and adventurous. There’s also some figurative aspect of the journey, in which Layla becomes the Heir of Memories and learns more of her destiny.
Finally, there’sValhallawhereEivor Varinsdottir’s dedication to the ways of her people helps define her character, even if it’s the main catalyst for why Eivor won’t join the Hidden Ones. Valhalla is the end result and end of the journey when Odin calls warriors to prepare for Ragnarok. Vahalla is the destination, and in conjunction with Odyssey, it’s the end of the journey. Now, given everything that happens with Yggdrasil, Basim, Layla, and the Reader (Desmond Miles), this is the point where Layla gets to the end of her personal journey, as a playable character.
The staff she achieved on her journey is why she was able to survive and reach Desmond, and together, they look for a future where a Great Catastrophe doesn’t end theAssassin’s Creedtimeline. But, players won’t return as her post-Assassin’s Creed Valhallasince her body is gone. In other words, players got the origins of Layla’s story, saw her odyssey of becoming the Heir, and her reaching the end of it in Valhalla—a strong thematic connection.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallais available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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