"Assassin's Creed Shadows Reveals Updated Parkour Mechanics"

Summary

• The parkour system in Assassin's Creed Shadows has been revamped, introducing "parkour highways" and seamless ledge dismounts while limiting climbing to specific areas.
• Assassin's Creed Shadows features dual protagonists with unique playstyles: Naoe, a stealth-focused shinobi, and Yasuke, a combat-oriented samurai.
• Ubisoft aims to appeal to both stealth and RPG combat enthusiasts with Assassin's Creed Shadows, set for release on February 14.

Ubisoft has unveiled significant changes to the parkour system in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows, the next installment in their renowned historical action-adventure series. Originally slated for a November 2024 release, the game faced a delay and is now scheduled to launch on February 14.

Set in feudal Japan for the first time, Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces dual protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi adept at scaling walls and stealth, and Yasuke, a formidable samurai who excels in open combat but cannot climb. With these distinct playstyles, the game aims to satisfy both fans of the classic stealth-focused Assassin's Creed experience and those who enjoy the more recent RPG-like entries such as Odyssey and Valhalla.

In a detailed blog post, Ubisoft's Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois explained the changes to the parkour system. A major shift in Assassin's Creed Shadows is the limitation on climbing. Unlike previous games where players could scale nearly any surface, Shadows introduces "parkour highways" that players must discover to navigate vertically. This design choice allows Ubisoft to craft more controlled and optimized pathways, enhancing the flow of movement.

Players Won't Be Able To Climb Everything In Assassin's Creed Shadows

While this change might seem restrictive, Lemay-Comtois reassures players that most surfaces will still be climbable, albeit requiring a specific approach. Additionally, the game introduces new mechanics for dismounting from higher ledges, allowing players to perform stylish flips and dives seamlessly, enhancing the fluidity of parkour. The introduction of a prone position also enables players to dive while sprinting, adding to the dynamic movement options.

...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.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on February 14. With the launch just over a month away, Ubisoft is expected to reveal more about this highly anticipated title. It will be intriguing to see if Assassin's Creed Shadows can capture the gaming community's attention amidst a competitive February lineup that includes Monster Hunter Wilds, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Avowed, and more.