Two experienced parkour athletes have put Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour mechanics to the test, offering a unique perspective on the realism of the game’s movements and the depiction 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 by PC Gamer, released on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team shared their insights on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour. Both enthusiasts of the Assassin’s Creed series, they are also working on their own parkour-based video game, STORROR Parkour Pro.
In the video, Segar criticized a particular move in AC Shadows, calling it a "hate crime against parkour." He was referring to a scene where the protagonist Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" to climb, a technique they consider unrealistic and potentially harmful as it places all the body weight on the knee.
Cave also highlighted the game's portrayal of parkour, noting the unrealistic stamina of the protagonists who perform continuous parkour moves without rest. He pointed out that real-life parkour involves careful planning and assessment, unlike the game's portrayal of endless running and jumping.
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fictional game, Ubisoft has made significant efforts to enhance the realism of its parkour mechanics. In a January interview with IGN, Game Director Charles Benoit explained that the game’s release delay was to perfect these mechanics.
Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan
Despite its fictional setting, Ubisoft aims to immerse players in the history of Feudal Japan through the "Cultural Discovery" feature. On March 18, Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio detailed how this in-game Codex section will include over 125 entries on the Azuchi-Momoyama period, crafted with the help of historians and supported by images from museums.
The development team faced challenges in accurately portraying Feudal Japan, as shared in an interview with The Guardian on March 17. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté mentioned that Japan had been a popular choice for the series, but it was only with Assassin’s Creed Shadows that they fully committed to the setting.
Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's dedication, mentioning trips to Kyoto and Osaka and collaboration with historians to authentically represent the period. Despite challenges like the unique lighting in Japan's mountains, the team's efforts have paid off in capturing the essence of the era.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on Assassin’s Creed Shadows by checking our related articles!
