Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Revamped Parkour System and Dual Protagonists

Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's highly anticipated feudal Japan adventure, is set to launch February 14th. This latest installment introduces significant changes, particularly to its parkour mechanics and protagonist design.

Key features include:

• Revamped Parkour: The game's parkour system has undergone a significant overhaul. Climbing is now restricted to designated "parkour highways," a design choice intended to create more focused and fluid movement. While this may initially seem limiting, Ubisoft assures players that most climbable surfaces remain accessible, requiring a more strategic approach. Seamless ledge dismounts, allowing for stylish flips and dives, enhance the overall parkour experience. A new prone position enables sprinting dives and slides, adding further agility.

• Dual Protagonists: Shadows features two playable characters with contrasting styles: 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 approach caters to both stealth and RPG combat enthusiasts.

• Gameplay Focus: Ubisoft aims to strike a balance between the classic stealth gameplay of earlier Assassin's Creed titles and the open-combat RPG elements introduced in games like Odyssey and Valhalla. The redesigned parkour system, with its emphasis on strategically placed climbing routes, contributes to this balance. The statement "...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..." highlights this design philosophy.

The game's launch in February will be a significant test, pitting it against other highly anticipated titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed. The coming weeks will likely reveal further details about Assassin's Creed Shadows as its release date approaches. The game will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.