Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

For more of: Epic open-world adventure
Notable differences: Customizable protagonist, climbing and parkour, historical fiction over other-worldly medieval fantasy
Availability: Windows (Steam Deck OK), Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, (and yes, Stadia)

Ever wished Geralt could climb? Ubisoft made three games trying to answer this question, each one succeeding in new and different ways. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is arguably the best overall culmination of the French publisher’s attempt to recreate The Witcher in various real-world historical time periods. A dazzling and sprawling map lets you climb cathedrals, loot tombs, and fight everything from knights to mythical beasts. It can’t hold a candle to The Witcher’s character-driven vignettes, but its world is richly layered with ruins and secrets that tell a story all their own.

Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey are both great too, and surpass Vahalla in their own ways. Origins is more focused and has a stronger narrative throughline with fascinating implications for the series’ lore, while Odyssey lets you set sail across dozens of beautiful Greek islands. Play them all…if you have 300 hours to spare! — Ethan Gach