Summary
- Assassin's Creed Shadows revamps its parkour system, focusing on designated "parkour highways" for climbing and introducing seamless ledge dismounts.
- The game features dual protagonists: the stealthy shinobi Naoe and the powerful samurai Yasuke, offering diverse playstyles.
- Launching February 14th, Assassin's Creed Shadows aims to blend classic stealth gameplay with RPG combat elements.
Ubisoft has detailed significant changes to the parkour system in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest RPG-infused entry in the historical action-adventure franchise. Following a delay from its November 2024 release, Assassin's Creed Shadows is now set for a February launch.
Set in feudal Japan, the game introduces dual protagonists: Naoe, a nimble shinobi adept at stealth and wall-scaling; and Yasuke, a powerful samurai excelling in open combat but unable to climb. This dual-protagonist approach caters to both fans of classic Assassin's Creed stealth and those who prefer the more recent RPG-focused combat of titles like Odyssey and Valhalla.
In a recent Ubisoft blog post, Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois explained the revamped parkour system. The most significant change is the limitation of free climbing; players will now navigate designated "parkour highways" to scale structures.
Players Won't Be Able To Climb Everything In Assassin's Creed Shadows
While this change might initially seem restrictive, Ubisoft emphasizes careful design of these pathways, aiming for optimized flow. Lemay-Comtois assures players that most surfaces remain climbable, requiring a strategic approach. The blog also highlights seamless ledge dismounts, replacing the need to grab ledges with stylish flips. A new prone position allows for diving while sprinting, alongside sliding.
"...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."
Assassin's Creed Shadows arrives on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on February 14th. With its launch approaching, Ubisoft is expected to share more details. The game's success will be interesting to observe, considering its release coincides with other anticipated titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed.
