From Basim’s true identity to Layla’s return, the ending of AC Valhalla was quite the tightly packed surprise gift I never expected. The game seriously delivered on the whole Norse mythology and tried to neatly tie it up towards the end. But with all the missions, side quests and previous AC game callbacks the ending was just hard to grasp for some players.
While playing I’m sure you’ve seen Eivor’s frequent visions of Odin and her having a connection with Isu of the past. Surprisingly this is not the first mention of Isu. AC Odyssey DLC featured Layla Hassan as she goes in and out of simulations in the mythical realms and experiences the Isu ways. AC Valhalla however, revolves around this very Isu story and connects the Norse mythology to it.
The game’s ending is a cluster of different scenarios fitted into one. So, let me break up the ending for you to be able to digest all the facts easily.
1. Eivor’s Isu Past and Odin Flashbacks
By the end of the game it is revealed that Eivor’s visit to Valhalla and Odin appearing in her memories are correlated. She was in-fact an Isu in the past and went by the name of Havi (Odin’s ancient name).
While visiting Asgard and Jotunheim, it is also revealed that what Eivor is actually experiencing is the Norse version of the solar flare Ragnarok story that killed all Isus. The ending also reveals that Odin and Tyr were the sole survivors when their world died.
While Eivor is Odin’s descendant, her brother Sigurd is also revealed to be an Isu named Tyr. The same Tyr who had survived the Ragnarok. Sigurd is the one to show Eivor the true existence of the Isu and brings her to Valhalla. Sigurd wanted to stay in Valhalla and enjoy the power and immortality but was later convinced by Eivor to return to their own world.
While returning, Eivor was stopped by the God that watched her every move, Odin himself. Odin wanted Eivor to stay and enjoy her powers and submit to Valhalla but Eivor wanting to return declined Odin’s offer.
At this point in the game, you’ll finally learn Basim’s true identity while Basim is threatening to kill Sigurd.
2. What is Basim’s Real Identity in AC Valhalla?
Basim’s real identity is revealed to be the Norse God Loki. Despite becoming friends with Eivor, Basim returns to take revenge on the now descendants of Isu Odin and Tyr who had bound his son, a wolf.
It’s easy to defeat Basim but it is impossible to avoid the inevitable. And by inevitable I mean Basim’s escape to the Isu simulation world or in Layla’s terms the “Animus.”
Escaping into the Animus, Basim had waited in the trapped simulation till Layla showed up. He already knew about Layla’s entry into the simulation since he was the one emailing the Order. Just as Layla entered, he escaped leaving Layla with The Reader.
3. Layla and The Reader
The Reader is the brain behind the whole simulation. He claims to be working on calculations to prevent yet another catastrophe. Assuming The Reader is actually Desmond, the man behind the catastrophe prevention of 2012, Layla suggests looking at alternate 2012 timelines where the prevention was not successful to find alternate solutions.
You’ll also be disappointed to find out about Layla’s death in the real world as radiation poisoning in the Isu vault slowly kills her body.
Layla’s decides to stay with Desmond a.k.a The Reader and find a way to avoid the upcoming Catastrophe meanwhile Basim successfully escapes into the real world.
4. Basim in Present Day
AC Valhalla throws another curveball to the players’ way by including this part in the ending. The game’s ending reveals that Basim, who has now escaped from the Isu simulation and planning for something big in Layla’s real world, was supposed to get the staff from the Heir of Memories of Layla Hassan.
You’ll find Basim asking to speak to Desmond’s dad William meaning the upcoming games might focus on Basim’s route since Layla is gone from the real world.
The game definitely has a vast difference in its opening and ending. The opening being more Viking focused and more concerned with Eivor’s journey quickly throws all that away in the ending. The ending feels like Eivor’s story was just a side mission in Layla’s Animus journey.
I would have been way more thrilled if the ending was more Eivor centric and not trying to forcefully tie-up all the past games in the franchise into one universe.
5. About Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Developed and Published by Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the latest instalment in the Assasin’s Creed series launched in November 2020. The action-adventure, role-playing video game is available to play on Playstation 5/4, Xbox One/ Series X/S and PC.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla takes players back to the Vikings’ glory days around the 9th century through the eyes of a Viking invader from Norway named Eivor. By playing as Eivor, gamers must represent the clan and help fellow warriors in the battle against Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms. The game brims with phenomenal main quests along with noteworthy side quests. AC Valhalla will also embrace many new features like dual-wielding of various weapons and armours.
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