Parkour Athletes Review Assassin's Creed Shadows Movements

Discover the realism behind Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour, as reviewed by two professional parkour athletes. Dive into how Ubisoft brings the vibrant world of Feudal Japan to life in this upcoming title.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Does A "Hate Crime Against Parkour"

In a fascinating review from PC Gamer's Reality Check video dated March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the renowned UK parkour team STORROR provided their expert insights on the parkour mechanics of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, alongside comparisons to previous titles in the series. Both athletes, avid fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, are currently developing their own video game, STORROR Parkour Pro, which focuses on authentic parkour movements.

During the video, Segar critiqued a specific scene from AC Shadows where protagonist Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" technique to ascend a ledge. This move, where Yasuke leverages his knee as a crutch, was labeled a "hate crime against parkour" by Segar due to its impractical nature in real parkour, potentially risking injury by placing full body weight on the knee.

Cave also highlighted the game's departure from reality, such as characters scaling structures without visible ledges and maintaining balance on tightropes. He emphasized the series' most significant fictional element: the protagonist's seemingly endless endurance. "In real parkour, you don’t just run and leap without checking your surroundings," Cave explained, underscoring the thoughtful preparation and pacing involved in actual parkour.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a work of fiction, Ubisoft has strived to infuse realism into its parkour mechanics. In an interview with IGN in January, AC Shadows Game Director Charles Benoit shared that the game’s release delay was to refine these parkour elements further.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Ubisoft continues to bridge the gap between fiction and history with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set during the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan. On March 18, Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio detailed the "Cultural Discovery" feature on Ubisoft’s website, an in-game Codex designed to enrich players' understanding of the era.

This feature includes over 125 encyclopedic entries at launch, meticulously crafted by historians and adorned with images from various museums and institutions. This initiative goes beyond the historical insights provided in AC Mirage’s History of Baghdad feature, offering a deeper dive into Japan's rich cultural heritage.

Creating this immersive experience was no small feat. In an interview with The Guardian on March 17, developers discussed the challenges of authentically representing Feudal Japan. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté spoke about the long-standing desire to set an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, stating, "I've been on this franchise for 16 years and Japan has always been a topic of discussion. It wasn't until now that we felt ready to truly bring it to life."

Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont elaborated on the team's commitment to authenticity, involving in-house historians and conducting research trips to Kyoto and Osaka. Despite challenges, such as accurately depicting the unique light in Japan’s mountains, the team's dedication paid off, capturing the essence of Feudal Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated game!