idk, they keep changing the formula and then doing two games in the style and then change again. I'm not expecting it to be too similar to Origins/Odyssey. But if it is, then I'll probably just skip it until they do an entry that feels different again.
Keep in mind that they changed the formula after Unity, also because it flopped, and Witcher 3 came out and was a massive success.
I'm not sure they're ready to change the formula already, especially considering all the praise Odyssey got, for its rpg-like elements (dialogue choices for example).
I see no reason for them to go back to a smaller title, until this format blows in their face.
I mean look at this:
AC1-3 - same formula, then 3 sucks ass and ends the trilogy and this is what they start doing:
Black Flag / Rogue - 2 games, new formula
Unity / Syndicate - 2 games, new formula
Origins / Odyssey - 2 games, new formula
Now if the new one is just another Origins/Odyssey re-skin rpg-lite...it could happen. But I also think it would've been out by now? Usually when they're is a gap it's because they're doing something new with the formula.
I could see Viking AC be further in the rpg direction, but I also expect it to be totally different from Origins/Odyssey just like Origins was from Syndicate and Unity was from Rogue.
So I'll keep an open mind. Maybe the new formula will be great even if it's more rpg heavy. I'm just done with the rpg-lite of Origins/Odyssey after 80+ hours in Origins.
I do think at some point they'll go back to a stronger focus on stealth and level design because it will feel "fresh" after all this open world easy peezy stuff.
You have to keep in mind that they had 2 or 3 ACs in development simultaneously, that's also why when Unity flopped (at least critically) they couldn't just do a 180° with Syndicate, which was already deep in development, but when that underperformed, they took some time before putting out Origins.
Now Ragnarock is going to be the first nextgen one (even if cross gen) so they'll probably try something new, but always on the bedrock of that mega open world, rpg-lite direction Witcher 3 put them in.
Again, Odyssey did super well, was received with a lot of praise even beyond the usual AC crowd, it'd be suicide to go back to a smaller stealth focused game, especially since they don't even seem to want to do that for Splinter Cell.
But i'm not saying they'll just copy/paste Origins a third time, they'll bring some changes, maybe significant ones, but i think, always in that massive-RPG direction they've been doing so well in.
Besides, Vikings doesn't exactly scream classic Assassin's Creed gameplay to me, not a lot of climbing you can do on wooden huts, and not a lot of stealth with you raid party; naval exploration and large skirmishes, on the other hand...