Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Details Parkour Changes

$Assassin\$

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Revamped Parkour and Dual Protagonists

Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's highly anticipated feudal Japan adventure, is set to launch February 14th. This new entry features significant changes, particularly to the parkour system and the introduction of dual protagonists with distinct playstyles.

The game introduces Naoe, a stealthy shinobi adept at scaling walls and shadow maneuvers, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai excelling in open combat but unable to climb. This dual protagonist approach aims to appeal to both classic stealth fans and those who prefer the RPG-style combat seen in titles like Odyssey and Valhalla.

A Refined Parkour Experience:

Ubisoft has significantly overhauled the parkour mechanics. Gone is the unrestricted climbing of previous installments. Instead, Shadows features designated "parkour highways," carefully designed climbing routes that players must strategically navigate. While this might seem restrictive, Ubisoft assures players that most surfaces remain climbable, albeit requiring a more considered approach. The addition of a grappling hook further enhances traversal options.

Another notable improvement is the seamless ledge dismount system. Players can now smoothly disengage from ledges, executing stylish acrobatic maneuvers instead of the previous, more cumbersome climbing down. A new prone position also allows for diving while sprinting, adding to the fluidity of movement. As Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois explains, the revised system allows for more controlled level design, dictating where each character can and cannot traverse.

A Competitive Launch Window:

Launching on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces stiff competition in a February release window packed with titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed. Whether Shadows can capture the gaming zeitgeist remains to be seen, but with its unique setting, dual protagonists, and refined gameplay, it's certainly positioned for success.