Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Details Parkour Changes

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Revamped Parkour and Dual Protagonists

Assassin's Creed Shadows, launching February 14th, introduces significant changes, particularly to its parkour system and character design. This latest installment takes the franchise to feudal Japan, featuring dual protagonists with contrasting playstyles.

A New Approach to Parkour:

Ubisoft has overhauled the parkour mechanics. Gone is the freeform climbing of previous titles; instead, players will navigate designated "parkour highways." While this might seem restrictive, Ubisoft assures players that most climbable surfaces remain accessible, requiring a more strategic approach. The addition of seamless ledge dismounts, allowing for stylish flips and dives, enhances the fluidity of movement. A new prone position also enables diving while sprinting, adding another layer to traversal. Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois explains the design choice: "...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."

Dual Protagonists, Diverse Gameplay:

Shadows introduces Naoe, a stealthy shinobi adept at scaling walls and shadow maneuvering, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai excelling in open combat but unable to climb. This dual protagonist system caters to both stealth aficionados and fans of the more recent RPG-focused combat styles seen in Odyssey and Valhalla.

February Launch and Competitive Landscape:

Launching on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces stiff competition from other high-profile releases in February, including Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed. The success of Shadows will depend on its ability to stand out amidst this crowded release window. Ubisoft is expected to reveal further details in the lead-up to the launch date.