I will differ from the main line here: I Really Enjoy(tm) the game. I have about Edit: 50 hours in it so far and am working 100%ing my 3rd region. Now, perhaps I will get tired of it before I work through all of the regions but this is just different than AC: Odyssey, which was my first AC game in a long time (since the 2nd game, I think?). I loved and played the hell out of AC: Odyssey, with all the DLCs. I tried to go back and play AC: Origins, and it was OK, but not enough of the formula that I loved so much yet was in place. AC: Vahalla, though is clearly to my mind trying to be The Witcher 3. I am having a great time. Between the two, I think I like AC:Valhalla more, though (at least right now):
-I enjoy the combat with the stamina addition making it more of a tactical engagement, or at least with other factors to consider, including back attacks, prone enemies, etc.
-I think the ability/skill tree systems is an improvement,
-I enjoy upgrading the items rather than being buried in new ones but instead possibly searching out upgrades,
-I like the story missions, with each region being its own little mini campaign
-I enjoy the new additions to the game, the raiding mechanic, the settlement building, the overall setting in 9th Century England/Norway, etc.
Maybe I am the RPG player the core fanbase hates but the game lets you play however you want, to be honest I sneak when I want to and charge in when I want to.... if you want to be angry that it doesn't force you into certain playstyle, that's on you.