Dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as two renowned parkour athletes, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from team STORROR, put the game’s parkour mechanics to the test. Their insights offer a unique perspective on the realism of the game's movements and how Ubisoft meticulously crafted the backdrop of Feudal Japan.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Does A "Hate Crime Against Parkour"
In a detailed analysis by PC Gamer, published on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave, both avid fans of the Assassin’s Creed series, shared their critical views on the parkour realism in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The duo, who are also working on their own parkour-based game, STORROR Parkour Pro, didn't hold back on their feedback.
Segar pinpointed a moment in the game where protagonist Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" to ascend a ledge—a move they consider a "hate crime against parkour." This technique, they explained, puts undue stress on the knee, potentially leading to injury, and is not typically used in real parkour.
Cave highlighted other unrealistic aspects, such as the protagonists' seemingly endless stamina and the ability to perform continuous parkour moves without pausing. He emphasized that in real-life parkour, practitioners take time to assess and prepare for each move, a stark contrast to the game's portrayal.
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fictional title and does not adhere strictly to real-world physics, Ubisoft has strived to enhance the realism of its parkour. In an IGN interview from January, Game Director Charles Benoit noted that the game's release delay was to refine these very mechanics.
Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan
Beyond the parkour critique, Ubisoft is dedicated to immersing players in the historical context of Feudal Japan. On March 18, Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio detailed the "Cultural Discovery" feature on the company's website. This feature, integrated into the game’s Codex, offers over 125 encyclopedic entries at launch, focusing on the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, crafted with input from historians and enriched with images from museums and institutions.
The development team faced significant challenges in accurately representing Feudal Japan, as discussed in a March 17 interview with The Guardian. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté shared the long-standing desire to set an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, stating, "I've been on [this] franchise for 16 years and I think every time we start a new game, Japan comes up and we ask, is this the time?"
Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's commitment, mentioning extensive research trips to Kyoto and Osaka, and collaboration with in-house historians to capture the essence of Japan's historical period. Despite challenges, such as accurately depicting light in Japan's mountainous regions, the team's dedication paid off in creating an authentic experience.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into this eagerly awaited title.
