The short answer is yes, Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla is included with PlayStation Plus, but there are some important caveats. While you can access Valhalla through an active PS Plus Extra or Premium subscription, it is not permanently free or yours to keep forever. Let‘s take a deeper look at what PS Plus offers, which tiers include Valhalla, and how to decide if it‘s worth it for you.
A Breakdown of PlayStation Plus Tiers
First, a quick refresher on what the different PlayStation Plus tiers include:
PS Plus Essential – This base tier gives you online multiplayer access, exclusive discounts, cloud storage, and monthly downloadable PS4/PS5 games to keep. However, it does NOT include access to the Ubisoft+ Classics catalog with Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla.
PS Plus Extra – This mid-level tier includes all Essential benefits plus access to a catalog of over 400 downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. The Ubisoft+ Classics games including Valhalla are available here.
PS Plus Premium – The highest tier has all benefits of Essential and Extra, along with access to over 700 games, game trials, and classic PS1-PS3 titles available via cloud streaming. Ubisoft+ Classics and Valhalla are also offered here.
So if you want access to Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla through PlayStation Plus, you‘ll need an active Extra or Premium membership. Let‘s look at what this actually means for playing Valhalla.
How to Get Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla with PS Plus
If you subscribe to PS Plus Extra or Premium, here is how you can access and download Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla:
- Make sure you have an active PS Plus Extra or Premium membership.
- On your PS4 or PS5 console, go to the PlayStation Store.
- Go to the PS Plus section and find the Game Catalog.
- Locate Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla in the Ubisoft+ Classics games available.
- Select to download Valhalla just as you would any game purchase.
- Once downloaded, you can play Valhalla as much as you want on your primary PS4 or PS5 system.
The downloading and gaming experience is just like having purchased the full game. But there are some limitations, which I‘ll explain next.
Limitations of Getting Valhalla Through PS Plus
While PlayStation Plus grants access to Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla, it does not make the game permanently free or yours forever. There are restrictions:
You can only play Valhalla while you have an active PS Plus Extra or Premium membership. If it lapses, you lose access until resubscribing.
Valhalla may be removed from the Game Catalog at any time in the future. It is only guaranteed available for a limited period.
Downloaded PS Plus games are locked to your account. You can‘t share or resell them.
So essentially, Valhalla is free as part of your ongoing subscription benefits, similar to a streaming service. It is not yours to own and keep permanently like the monthly Essential PS Plus freebie games. You have access as long as you keep paying the Extra or Premium subscription fees.
Weighing the Value of PS Plus Tiers
When deciding whether to subscribe to PS Plus for Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla, consider these cost factors:
Buying Valhalla outright costs $49.99 currently, compared to…
PS Plus Extra at $14.99 monthly, $39.99 quarterly, or $99.99 yearly.
PS Plus Premium at $17.99 monthly, $49.99 quarterly, or $119.99 yearly.
The higher tiers also grant you access to 400+ or 700+ other games respectively. For avid gamers, a subscription can offer great value compared to buying titles individually.
But casual gamers may prefer buying only the games they want to own forever instead of an ongoing subscription. Check the PlayStation Store for sales on Valhalla also.
Here‘s a cost comparison table to help weigh the options:
| Option | Cost | Games Included | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buying Valhalla | $49.99 one-time | Just Valhalla | Yours forever |
| PS Plus Essential | $9.99 monthly | Monthly freebies only | Free games only |
| PS Plus Extra | $14.99 monthly | 400+ games including Valhalla | Only with active sub |
| PS Plus Premium | $17.99 monthly | 700+ games including Valhalla | Only with active sub |
Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and gaming habits. Frequent players may find a subscription very cost-effective for the huge games catalog. More casual fans may just want to purchase titles they truly want to own indefinitely.
What Experts Suggest About PS Plus Tiers
Gaming industry analysts seem to agree that the Extra and Premium tiers cater best to frequent gamers who enjoy variety and discovering new titles. Here are some expert views on the PS Plus changes:
"For voracious gamers, Extra is likely going to be the tier to get," suggests Forbes. The game catalog value outweighs buying many titles outright.
The Premium Classic games lineup is "a big draw for nostalgic gamers," notes CNET. Retro fans get huge variety from decades of titles.
"Casual gamers should stick to Essential and buy full-price games," advises GameRant. Occasional players don‘t need huge catalogs.
The consensus seems to be that frequent gamers get the most long-term value from subscription access to the huge PS Plus catalogs. More selective buyers are fine with just picking up titles they truly want to own indefinitely.
Key Takeaways on Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla with PS Plus
To summarize the key points on whether you can get Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla for free with a PlayStation Plus membership:
Valhalla is included in the PS Plus Extra and Premium catalogs, but not in the base Essential tier.
You can access and download Valhalla as part of an active Extra or Premium subscription, but it‘s not yours permanently.
Weigh the long-term costs for avid gamers between buying titles outright or subscribing to access a huge game catalog.
Frequent players often get the best value from PS Plus Extra or Premium compared to purchasing many games individually.
Check back on the latest PS Plus offers and promotions for potential deals or changes on Valhalla availability.
While Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla is not free to own forever, PS Plus Extra and Premium members can enjoy it as an included benefit. Evaluate your own gaming habits and budget to decide if the subscription upgrade is worth it for you.
