Fans of *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* have voiced their concerns about the game's extensive narrative and abundance of optional tasks, prompting Ubisoft to take note. In response, the upcoming title, *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, promises a more streamlined experience with a more visible and condensed focus.
In a recent interview, game director Charles Benoit revealed that the *Shadows* campaign is expected to take approximately 50 hours to complete. For those eager to explore every corner and tackle all side quests, the total playtime could extend to around 100 hours. This is a notable change from *Valhalla*, which required at least 60 hours for a main storyline completion and up to 150 hours for full completion including all content.
Ubisoft has made a conscious effort to reduce the volume of optional content in *Shadows*, aiming to prevent player fatigue. The game will strike a balance between its narrative and side activities, ensuring that gameplay remains engaging without becoming overwhelming. The developers are committed to maintaining the richness of the world and the depth of the story, ensuring that players who value detailed gameplay won’t have to compromise on quality for the sake of a shorter duration. Meanwhile, those who wish to focus primarily on the story can enjoy a complete experience without the need to invest hundreds of hours.
Game director Jonathan Dumont shared insights into the team's trip to Japan, which significantly shaped the development of *Shadows*. "You're struck by the reality of a place you've only ever read about or seen in movies," Dumont noted. "The size of the castles, the tiered mountain scenery, and the density of the forests all took us by surprise. The sheer size of these fortresses makes you say, 'I didn't expect this scale.' We came to the conclusion that much more realism and attention to detail were required."
One of the key changes in *Shadows* is the more realistic world geography. Players will now need to travel longer distances between points of interest to fully appreciate the open landscapes, with each location offering more specific and nuanced details. Unlike *Assassin's Creed Odyssey*, where points of interest were often just 50 meters apart, *Shadows* adopts a more natural and open world approach. Traveling will take longer, but the increased attention to detail at each location will allow players to immerse themselves more deeply in the Japanese atmosphere, as emphasized by Dumont.
