Assassin's Creed Shadows: Revamped Parkour and Dual Protagonists
Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's highly anticipated feudal Japan adventure, launches February 14th, bringing significant changes to the series' iconic parkour and introducing a unique dual protagonist system. After a delay from its initial November 2024 release, the game promises a blend of classic stealth and RPG combat.
The game features Naoe, a stealthy shinobi adept at scaling walls and shadow maneuvering, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai excelling in open combat but lacking climbing abilities. This duality aims to satisfy both fans of traditional Assassin's Creed stealth and those who prefer the more action-oriented RPG style of titles like Odyssey and Valhalla.
A Refined Parkour Experience
Ubisoft has significantly overhauled the parkour system. Gone is the freeform climbing of previous iterations; instead, players navigate designated "parkour highways." While this might seem restrictive, Ubisoft assures players that most surfaces remain climbable, albeit requiring strategic approaches. These pathways are meticulously designed for optimal flow.
The blog post by Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois details enhancements to ledge dismounts. Players seamlessly transition from ledges with stylish flips, eliminating the need for manual ledge grabs. A new prone position allows for sprinting dives and slides, adding fluidity to movement.
Lemay-Comtois explains, "...creating defined parkour routes gave us more control over Naoe's movement, contrasting with Yasuke's limitations. Most environments remain climbable, particularly with the grappling hook, but players must identify designated entry points."
A Competitive February Launch
Assassin's Creed Shadows arrives on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on February 14th. Ubisoft is expected to reveal more details as the release date approaches. The game faces stiff competition from other high-profile releases that month, including Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed. Whether Assassin's Creed Shadows will capture the spotlight remains to be seen.
