Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Details Parkour Changes

Summary

• Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces a revamped parkour system with "parkour highways" and seamless ledge dismounts.
• The game features dual protagonists, Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, catering to different playstyles.
• Set for release on February 14, Assassin's Creed Shadows aims to appeal to both stealth and RPG combat fans.

Ubisoft has provided an in-depth look at the significant changes coming to the parkour system in Assassin's Creed Shadows, the next major RPG-like entry in their renowned historical action-adventure series. Originally slated for a November 2024 release but delayed, Assassin's Creed Shadows is now set to launch on February 14.

The game transports players to feudal Japan and introduces dual protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi skilled in scaling walls and stealth, and Yasuke, a samurai who excels in open combat but cannot climb. This dual-protagonist approach aims to satisfy both fans of the traditional Assassin's Creed stealth experience and those who prefer the more recent RPG-focused entries like Odyssey and Valhalla.

In a detailed blog post, Ubisoft's Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois outlined the changes to the parkour system. A major shift is that players will no longer be able to climb nearly any wall as in previous games. Instead, Ubisoft has introduced specific "parkour highways" that players must locate to navigate vertically. This change might seem restrictive, but Ubisoft has carefully designed these pathways to ensure they flow well and enhance the gameplay experience. Lemay-Comtois emphasized that most surfaces will still be climbable, but players will need to approach them correctly.

Another notable feature is the new method for dismounting from higher ledges. Instead of grabbing a ledge to climb down, players can now seamlessly perform stylish flips to descend, improving the fluidity of the parkour experience. Additionally, the introduction of a prone position allows players to dive while sprinting and slide, adding more dynamic movement options.

"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," Lemay-Comtois explained. "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. As the release date approaches, Ubisoft is expected to reveal more about this highly anticipated title. It remains to be seen how Assassin's Creed Shadows will fare in a competitive February, with other major releases like Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed also hitting the market.