AC: Shadows breakdown: campaign will be more intense but shorter, with ton of meaningful locations

Fans of Assassin's Creed Valhalla have expressed concerns over the game's extensive storyline and numerous side quests, prompting Ubisoft to refine their approach with the upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Shadows. In response to player feedback, Ubisoft aims to make Shadows more streamlined and engaging, with game director Charles Benoit revealing that the main campaign will take approximately 50 hours to complete. For those eager to delve into every region and complete all side quests, the time commitment will extend to around 100 hours. In contrast, Valhalla required at least 60 hours for a basic playthrough, with full completion demanding up to 150 hours.

Ubisoft has made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of optional content in Shadows, striving for a more balanced mix of narrative and side activities. This adjustment is intended to prevent player fatigue while preserving the depth and richness of the game's world. The goal is to cater to players who value extensive gameplay without compromising on quality, as well as those who wish to focus primarily on the main storyline without investing hundreds of hours.

Game director Jonathan Dumont disclosed that the development team's visit to Japan significantly influenced the creation of Shadows. The team was particularly struck by the grandeur of the castles, the layered mountain landscapes, and the dense forests. This experience led them to prioritize realism and detail in their depiction of the game's world. "The sheer size of these fortresses makes you say, 'I didn't expect this scale.' We came to the conclusion that much more realism and attention to detail were required," Dumont explained.

One of the major enhancements in Shadows will be its more realistic world geography. Players will need to travel longer distances between points of interest to fully immerse themselves in the open landscapes. Unlike Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where points of interest were often closely packed, Shadows will feature a more open and natural world. This design choice will require more travel time, but it will also allow for richer, more detailed locations as players progress. Dumont emphasized that Shadows offers a significantly higher level of detail, enabling players to deeply experience the essence of Japan.