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"Explore Assassin’s Creed Shadows Open World: When?"

by Leo Apr 21,2025

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers an expansive open world set in Feudal Japan, but eager explorers will need to wait until after the prologue to fully dive into it. Here’s when you can start exploring the open world in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*:

How Long is the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Prologue? Answered

Ubisoft has a history of providing rich open-world experiences, though often preceded by lengthy introductions. Fortunately, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* keeps the wait relatively short before players can roam Japan.

The game kicks off with a prologue that sets the scene and introduces the dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, representing the Samurai and Shinobi, respectively. This section also introduces players to Iga, Naoe’s homeland, and marks the beginning of her journey beyond the region. Filled with both epic set pieces and necessary exposition, the prologue is expected to take around an hour and a half to complete.

Once you finish the "From Spark to Flame" quest and establish your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko’s Homestead, the vast open world of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be yours to explore.

Can You Go Anywhere in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Right Away? Answered

Naoe prepares to observe an area after synchronizing in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, via Ubisoft

Naoe prepares to observe an area after synchronizing in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, via Ubisoft
Upon gaining access to the open world, players will find themselves in Izumi Settsu, one of the nine regions available at launch. Initially, quests and side activities will focus on this region before expanding to the north into Yamashiro province.

While the narrative may occasionally lock Naoe and Yasuke into specific areas, you can generally venture into other provinces. However, there are two significant considerations that might deter early exploration:

Firstly, the availability of quests and activities in other regions is tied to the story progression. Venturing into these areas prematurely might not yield much engagement. Secondly, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* incorporates RPG elements, including level requirements for different regions. These can be seen on the map as numbers within red diamonds, indicating that entering these areas before reaching the suggested level can result in a challenging or even fatal experience due to formidable enemies.

In summary, although you can technically visit higher-level regions early on, it's advisable to wait until you're adequately leveled to avoid a frustrating gameplay experience.