Assassin's Creed Revamps Parkour in Shadow

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, bringing significant changes to the franchise's core mechanics. This new installment introduces a revamped parkour system and a unique dual-protagonist structure, promising a diverse gameplay experience.

A Refined Approach to Parkour:

The most notable alteration lies in the parkour system. Unlike previous titles, free-climbing is restricted to designated "parkour highways." While this might initially seem limiting, Ubisoft assures players that most climbable surfaces remain accessible, requiring a more strategic approach. The design focuses on creating intuitive and fluid pathways, enhancing the overall flow of movement. Seamless ledge dismounts, allowing for stylish flips and dodges, add a new layer of finesse to traversal. A new prone position also allows for sprinting dives and slides, expanding movement options. Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois explains the design choice: "...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."

Dual Protagonists, Diverse Playstyles:

Shadows introduces Naoe, a stealthy shinobi adept at scaling walls and shadow-based tactics, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai excelling in open combat but lacking climbing abilities. This duality caters to both classic stealth fans and those who prefer the RPG-style combat of recent entries like Odyssey and Valhalla.

A Crowded February Launch:

Launching on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces stiff competition from other high-profile releases in February, including Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and Avowed. Whether it can capture the gaming spotlight remains to be seen. Ubisoft is expected to unveil further details as the launch date approaches.