Dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as two professional parkour athletes put the game's parkour mechanics to the test. Discover the realism behind the game's movements and how Ubisoft brings the era of Feudal Japan to life.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Parkour Reality Check
In a fascinating Reality Check video by PC Gamer on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team shared their insights on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour. Both avid fans of the series and developers of their own parkour-based game, STORROR Parkour Pro, they offered a unique perspective on the game's mechanics.
In the video, Segar pointed out a particular move by Yasuke, one of the protagonists, describing it as a "hate crime against parkour." The move in question, dubbed the "alpine knee," involves using the knee as a crutch to support body weight while climbing, a technique considered impractical and potentially harmful in real parkour.
Cave also highlighted the game's portrayal of unlimited endurance and the ability to perform continuous parkour moves without rest. He emphasized that in real-life parkour, practitioners take time to assess and prepare, contrasting with the game's more fluid and relentless style.
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a work of fiction, Ubisoft has strived to inject realism into its parkour mechanics. In an IGN interview from January, AC Shadows Game Director Charles Benoit mentioned that the game's release was delayed to refine these parkour elements, underscoring Ubisoft's commitment to authenticity.
Immersing Players in Feudal Japan
Beyond parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to transport players to the heart of Feudal Japan. Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio detailed the "Cultural Discovery" feature on their website on March 18. This in-game Codex will provide players with over 125 encyclopedic entries on the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, meticulously crafted with input from historians and enriched with images from museums and institutions.
Creating this immersive experience wasn't without challenges. In a March 17 interview with The Guardian, the AC Shadows development team discussed the complexities of accurately depicting Feudal Japan. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté explained the long-standing interest in setting an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, finally realized with AC Shadows. The team's dedication included collaborating with historians and conducting research trips to Kyoto and Osaka.
Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont highlighted the challenges, such as capturing the unique light in Japan's mountains. Despite these hurdles, the team's commitment to authenticity has paid off, delivering a game that promises to meet the high expectations of fans eager to explore this long-awaited setting.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on this eagerly anticipated title!
