Discover When to Explore Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Open World

Assassin’s Creed Shadows invites players into a vast open world set in Feudal Japan, but the freedom to explore this expansive environment doesn't come immediately. 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 crafting detailed open worlds, yet their games often feature lengthy introductions before players can dive into the main experience. Fortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows keeps the wait relatively short before unleashing players into Japan.

The game begins with a prologue that sets the scene and introduces the dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, representing the Samurai and Shinobi respectively. This section also acquaints players with Iga, Naoe’s homeland, and initiates her journey beyond this region. Expect to spend around an hour and a half navigating through this prologue, filled with both epic set pieces and crucial expository dialogue.

Once you complete the "From Spark to Flame" Quest and establish your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko’s Homestead, the open world becomes yours to explore more freely.

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

Upon gaining access to the open world, you'll find yourself in the Izumi Settsu region, one of the nine named areas available at launch. Initially, your quests and side activities will be centered around Izumi Settsu, gradually expanding north to the Yamashiro province.

While the narrative and certain quests may tether Naoe and Yasuke to specific locations, you can venture into other provinces. However, there are key considerations to keep in mind.

Firstly, the availability of quests and activities in other regions is tied to the progression of the story. Venturing into these areas prematurely might not yield much engagement. Additionally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows incorporates RPG elements, meaning players must reach a certain level to effectively combat enemies in different provinces. You can check these level requirements on the map, where regions marked with a number in a red diamond indicate that you are significantly underleveled for that area. Attempting to explore these regions too early can lead to a challenging, if not frustrating, experience due to the risk of being insta-killed by higher-level enemies.

In summary, while you can technically rush to higher-level regions, it's advisable to wait until you're adequately prepared to ensure a more enjoyable gameplay experience.