Dive into the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour as two professional parkour athletes provide a unique perspective on the game's movement mechanics. Learn how Ubisoft has meticulously crafted the game to reflect the era of Feudal Japan.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Does A "Hate Crime Against Parkour"
In a recent Reality Check video from PC Gamer, posted on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK’s STORROR team, both avid fans of the Assassin’s Creed series, reviewed the parkour realism in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The duo is also working on their own parkour-inspired game, STORROR Parkour Pro.
During the video, Segar critiqued a scene featuring the protagonist Yasuke, describing his climbing technique as a "hate crime against parkour." Specifically, he pointed out Yasuke's use of an "alpine knee" to ascend, a move considered impractical in real parkour due to the risk of knee injury from bearing the full body weight.
Cave added his observations, noting the unrealistic aspects such as climbing without visible ledges and balancing on tightropes. He highlighted the series' portrayal of endless endurance in parkour, stating, "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 enhance the realism of its parkour mechanics. In an IGN interview from January, Game Director Charles Benoit explained that the game's release delay was to refine these mechanics further.
Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan
Beyond parkour, Ubisoft aims to immerse players in the historical context of Feudal Japan through the game's "Cultural Discovery" feature. On March 18, Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio detailed how this feature integrates historical accuracy into the gameplay.
The "Cultural Discovery" section of the in-game Codex provides players with over 125 entries at launch, covering the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. These entries, authored by historians and enriched with images from various museums and institutions, offer a deep dive into the era, surpassing the scope of AC Mirage’s History of Baghdad feature.
Creating such an immersive experience hasn't been without its challenges. In an interview with The Guardian on March 17, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows development team discussed the hurdles faced in accurately depicting Feudal Japan. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté explained the long-standing interest in setting a game in Japan, saying, "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?"
Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's commitment to authenticity, mentioning extensive collaborations with historians and field trips to Kyoto and Osaka. Despite technological challenges, such as accurately simulating the unique lighting of Japan's mountains, the team's dedication has paid off in capturing the essence of the period.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates by following our coverage!
