Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Realism in Parkour and Bringing Feudal Japan to Life

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been put to the test by two professional parkour athletes, offering a unique perspective on the game's parkour mechanics and its depiction of Feudal Japan. Dive in to discover how the game balances realism with the excitement of gameplay.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A "Hate Crime Against Parkour"?

In a detailed review by PC Gamer on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team, both avid fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and developers of STORROR Parkour Pro, provided their insights on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour mechanics.

Segar critiqued a specific move by the protagonist Yasuke, labeling it a "hate crime against parkour." This move, known as the "alpine knee," involves using the knee as a crutch to support body weight, which is considered impractical and potentially injurious in the parkour community.

Cave highlighted other aspects, such as the game's portrayal of endless stamina and the unrealistic nature of performing continuous parkour without pausing to assess and plan. He explained, "In parkour, no one ever just runs and commits to stuff without looking. In parkour in real life, you check, you measure, you prep, and it’s such a slower process."

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a work of fiction, Ubisoft has made significant efforts to inject realism into its parkour mechanics. According to Game Director Charles Benoit in an IGN interview in January, the delay in the game's release was partly to refine these mechanics further.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Beyond the parkour, Ubisoft is committed to immersing players in the historical setting of Feudal Japan. The "Cultural Discovery" section, introduced on March 18, enriches the game with over 125 entries on the Azuchi-Momoyama period, crafted by historians and featuring images from various institutions.

The development team faced challenges in accurately depicting Feudal Japan, as shared in an interview with The Guardian on March 17. Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté explained the long-standing interest in setting an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, finally realized with AC Shadows. Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's dedication, including trips to Kyoto and Osaka, and collaboration with historians to authentically capture the essence of the period.

Despite technical challenges, such as the unique lighting in Japan's mountains, the team's commitment to authenticity has been unwavering. Coté noted, "The expectations have been this high throughout. It’s been a challenge."

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage on this highly anticipated title.