Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Details Parkour Changes

Summary

• The parkour system in Assassin's Creed Shadows has been revamped, limiting climbing to specific "parkour highways" and introducing seamless ledge dismounts.
• Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists with distinct playstyles: Naoe as a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke as a powerful samurai.
• Ubisoft aims to cater to both classic stealth gameplay and RPG combat fans with Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release on February 14.

Ubisoft has provided an in-depth look at the significant changes to the parkour system in Assassin's Creed Shadows, the next installment in their acclaimed historical action-adventure series. After a delay from November 2024, the game is now scheduled for release on February 14.

Set in feudal Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, offering players two distinct playstyles. Naoe, a shinobi, can scale walls and move stealthily through shadows, while Yasuke, a samurai, excels in direct combat but cannot climb. This dual approach aims to appeal to fans of both the traditional stealth-focused Assassin's Creed experience and the more recent RPG-style combat seen in games like Odyssey and Valhalla.

In a detailed blog post, Ubisoft's Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois outlined the changes to the parkour system. One of the most notable adjustments is the limitation of climbing to designated "parkour highways." Unlike previous games where players could climb nearly any wall, in Shadows, they must find specific pathways designed by Ubisoft. This change aims to create more engaging and thoughtfully designed routes, with Lemay-Comtois ensuring that most surfaces remain climbable, but require the right approach.

Players Won't Be Able To Climb Everything In Assassin's Creed Shadows

While this may seem restrictive, the intention is to enhance the flow and optimization of these parkour paths. Additionally, Ubisoft highlighted new mechanics for dismounting from higher ledges, allowing players to perform stylish flips and dives, contributing to a smoother parkour experience. The introduction of a new prone position also allows for diving and sliding while sprinting.

...we had to be more thoughtful about creating interesting parkour highways and afforded us more control about where Naoe can go, and where Yasuke can't...Rest assured that most of what you'll see in Assassin's Creed Shadows is still very much climbable - especially with the grappling hook - but players will have to look for valid entry points from time to time.

Assassin's Creed Shadows will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on February 14. As the release date nears, Ubisoft is expected to share more about this eagerly awaited title. It will be fascinating to see if Assassin's Creed Shadows can capture the gaming community's attention in a month filled with other major releases such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Avowed, and more.