Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive gameplay drew criticism, prompting Ubisoft to refine the experience for its sequel, Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The developers addressed concerns regarding the length of the main storyline and the sheer volume of optional content.
Game director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline in Shadows will take approximately 50 hours, while full completion, including all side quests and exploration, is estimated at 100 hours. This contrasts with Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for a standard playthrough and up to 150 hours for complete game completion.
Ubisoft's focus for Shadows has been streamlining optional content to avoid overwhelming players. The aim is a more balanced ratio of narrative progression and optional activities, enhancing enjoyment without sacrificing world richness or narrative depth. The goal is to cater to both players who prefer concise storytelling and those seeking extensive gameplay.
Jonathan Dumont, also a game director, highlighted the impact of the team's research trip to Japan. The scale and detail of Japanese castles, mountainous landscapes, and dense forests profoundly influenced the game's design. This led to a commitment to heightened realism and meticulous detail.
A key change involves world geography. Travel times between points of interest will be longer, reflecting the vastness of the open world. However, this increased travel time will be offset by significantly richer and more nuanced locations. Unlike Odyssey, where points of interest were frequently clustered, Shadows features a more expansive and natural environment, with locations boasting a far higher level of detail to immerse players in the Japanese setting. Dumont emphasizes the significantly increased attention to detail, promising a truly authentic Japanese experience.
