Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Before The Fall Walkthrough

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Quick Links

  • How To Start Before The Fall

  • Memory One: Shinobi Warefare
  • Chapter 2: After The First Invasion; Mind and Body
  • Chapter 3: A True Igan
  • Chapter 4: Traditions

In “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate”, the storyline titled “Before the Dawn” is presented across four separate flashbacks. These scenes depict episodes from Naoe’s life which occurred prior to the game’s opening sequence.

Each chapter begins automatically following a meditative mini-game scattered across the map.

The chapters follow a straightforward sequence, serving primarily as a tutorial for grasping the game’s rules rather than presenting substantial challenges, adjusting to your chosen level of difficulty.

Continue reading to discover the steps for initiating your journey, the places to locate the necessary Kuji-Kiri spots, and strategies for finishing each memory.

How To Start Before The Fall

As a devoted admirer, I found myself eagerly anticipating the moment when Naoe’s recovery from her wounds during “An Unpayable Debt” was complete, allowing me immediate access to embark on this thrilling new quest.

You won’t find the mission logged in your diary until you’ve been to The Hideout, but you can make progress on it earlier by visiting the Kuji-Kiri spots.

In reality, Kuji-Kiri serves as a meditative and spiritual practice. However, within the game, it’s symbolized through quick-time-event (QTE) mini-games which can be found dispersed across the game map.

Press every button that gets illuminated, ensuring to remember the sequence, since you’ll have to repeat it later once the instructions stop appearing.

If you find Kuji-Kiri challenging, navigate to the game’s settings and toggle the “Auto Quick Time Events” option. With this setting active, the ritual will perform automatically, granting effortless access to Naoe’s memories.

The sequence of the first four games you play in Kuji-Kiri doesn’t matter where or when you play them. Each completed game marks the beginning of a separate chapter in Before the Fall, which unfolds as a series of memories that Naoe experiences during meditation.

Memory One: Shinobi Warefare

In the year 1579, two years before the central events unfold, the story “Shinobi Warfare” is set. The protagonist, Naoe, embarks on a journey with her aunt Matsu. During their travels, Aunt Matsu discusses the emergence and power of Oda Nobunaga.

Following a chat with Momochi, your subsequent mission involves stealthily maneuvering through the Nagano Pass, aiming to remain unnoticed.

Slip by two guards concealed among the foliage, and you’ll witness a scene reenacting Naoe’s initial kill appearing before you.

Approaching the following zone contains a greater number of adversaries that could overpower you swiftly if they spot you. They follow consistent paths, so it’s essential to stealthily maneuver from cover to cover, such as tall vegetation and shrubbery.

It’s crucial to grasp the distinction between concealment settings – for instance, a character like Naoe can hide among shrubbery by crouching, but in tall grass, lying flat (prone) offers better camouflage. If detected, outrunning an appropriate distance and hiding once more may help reset the enemy’s awareness level.

Naoe can crouch in bushes to hide, but will need to drop prone in tall grass to avoid being seen.

As your journey advances, enemy soldiers will start getting attacked by other Iga ninjas, eventually leading up to a cutscene and a battle against an Oda Behemoth (boss).

In this battle, you’ll encounter sequences of multiple attacks linked together, often referred to as combo attacks. You can counter these by parrying when the Brute’s weapon glows blue.

Concentrate on blocking, evading, and most importantly, avoiding the Brute’s unavoidable kick. Find opportunities in safe moments to attack him successfully and finish this initial stage.

Chapter 2: After the First Invasion; Mind and Body

This chapter begins about five months following the ambush, initiating with a discussion between Naoe and his father. The dialogue options in this scene serve no functional purpose but rather enhance the sense of engagement.

Following the performance of another Kuji-Kiri ritual, Matsu assigns Naoe the mission of retrieving a concealed scroll to further progress in his shinobi studies.

The sanctuary containing the scroll has a relatively light security presence. Taking on the adversaries directly isn’t impossible, but this situation presents a great chance for you to hone your stealth abilities instead.

After defeating the villains, search for the scroll concealed within the pagoda located on the right side of the temple sanctuary. Upon discovery, deliver the artifact back to Nagato to finalize the mission’s recollection.

Chapter 3: A True Igan

In the third act of Before the Fall, I found myself navigating a covert mission designed for stealth enthusiasts. Yet, for those like me who favor more upfront approaches, there’s no negative consequence if you decide to step out from the shadows.

Start your journey by making your way down the mountain slope, following the primary path. As you progress, the far-off castle will gradually become visible. You’ll find your entrance on the left side, where you can climb over fallen trees and employ Naoe’s latest grappling hook to ascend the tower.

I’ll leap from the tower and hide behind bushes to slip by the guard on the bridge undetected. After making it past him, I’ll get a chance to listen in on a chat between Oda’s troops, which should give me info about how long they’ve been holed up in this fort.

To get to the next eavesdropping spot, move across the rooftops. There, you’ll hear a discussion regarding an Iga ninja who has fallen. Ascend the tower, examine the body, then make your way back to Sandayu to finish the chapter.

In this particular scene, surreptitiously listening in isn’t strictly necessary, but it can still be done. Finding the body of the Iga leader will, however, bring an end to this chapter.

Chapter 4: Traditions

In this last memory segment, we’re skipping ahead by two years from the previous events. Since the events in this part don’t impact the conclusion, you can pick your responses freely.

Initially, accompany Nagato towards an agreed location. There, you’ll engage in a one-on-one combat with Fujita Juro, aiming to prove yourself worthy to join their group, the ikki.

In the duel, Naoe uses a wooden practice sword instead of a real one. This means that deflecting blows isn’t as efficient as it typically would be. Instead, concentrate on evading attacks and taking advantage of any opportunity where Fujita leaves an opening to ensure victory.

After securing the victory, I’ll stealthily advance towards the fortress, choosing either to bypass or neutralize the sentries stationed outside as I see fit.

Climb up the exterior wall with your grappling hook, and eavesdrop on the enemy soldiers to gain information about the approaching forces led by Oda.

Afterward, follow the wall to your right and ascend to the rooftops to steer clear of the soldiers who are patrolling.

Oda’s ultimate goal can be found in the southeastern structure. Once you obtain the plans, watch the final scene, the memory, and the Before the Fall mission, will conclude.

Performing extra Kuji-Kiri rituals following the completion of Before the Fall won’t unearth fresh memories, however, every finished ritual awards a Knowledge Point that can be utilized to broaden your skill sets.

Complete all twenty-two Kuji-Kiri locations to unlock the Zen Master achievement.

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2025-04-24 19:40