Ubisoft details parkour changes coming to Assassin’s Creed Shadows

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Ubisoft has provided insights into the modifications made to parkour in Assassin’s Creed Shadow, offering a close-up look through videos.

As a devoted fan, I recently came across an insightful blog post that offered a deep dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The Associate Game Director, Simon Lemay-Comtois, shared some exciting details about this upcoming game.

He hinted at the thrilling prospect of immersing ourselves once more in the classic feel of being an Assassin. This means gracefully traversing rooftops, deftly maneuvering through the bustling streets of Kyoto, and scaling the imposing heights of Osaka Castle, all while surfing atop them.

In essence, Naoe is a true master of parkour, boasting unparalleled speed and agility that seamlessly adapts to the diverse landscapes of Feudal Japan. It’s a testament to the game’s commitment to delivering an authentic Assassin’s Creed experience. I can hardly wait!

A conspicuous adjustment people will pick up right away is the switch in input mapping: “The ‘dodge’ button now occupies the former position of the ‘crouch’ button. This seemingly minor yet critical swap is significant as it introduces two key features: the option to assume a prone stance and the implementation of dodge mechanics that seamlessly transition into parkour.

Parkour up and recovery roll can be seen below:


 

While in motion, pressing and holding the parkour jump button will cause Naoe or Yasuke to attempt reaching the highest or farthest point possible. This could involve scaling a wall to grab a ledge, crossing a wide chasm between buildings by jumping, or leaping as far as they can into open space, trusting they’ll find something to hold on to.

To counteract any potentially risky jumps that could endanger you, press the dodge/parkour “go low” button when landing from significant heights, which will activate the Igan Recovery Roll. This move helps Naoe perform a landing technique that cushions the impact and minimizes noise associated with a harder landing, as demonstrated in the video above.

Next up, parkour down:


 

With dodging techniques now part of the parkour system, players can now seamlessly switch from dodging close to an edge to performing parkour down traversals. This enables them to execute Naoe’s graceful acrobatics during descent or handle Yasuke’s more weighty drops.

Pressing and holding the “dodge/parkour down” button while moving causes your character to descend to the lowest, secure spot beneath them, thereby preventing risky jumps into empty spaces. Additionally, this feature facilitates quiet landings with reduced noise, making it ideal for stealthy maneuvers.

Sprint doge is also shown off:


 

Distinctively, Naoe has the skill to execute a swift roll-dodge maneuver (by simultaneously pressing the dodge key and sprinting). This action initiates an extended roll that enables her to leap over obstacles that are just slightly lower than herself, such as farm fences, wooden crates, guardrails, windowsills, etc. This roll-dodge move is especially beneficial when evading attacks from ranged enemies’ projectiles and creating impressive escape sequences for replays.

This action can likewise be executed for jumping from a raised location… however, it carries an increased risk of sustaining significant injury upon landing if no recovery roll is done.

The Grappling Hook Swing looks particular cool:


 

In Shadows’ Japan, there are numerous locations where Naoe can attach herself using grappling points. This enables her to perform swinging movements over vast chasms, ultimately reaching the opposite side. Certain complex maneuvers demand that she combines multiple swings in mid-air without ever touching the ground.

As a player, I can manipulate the speed and trajectory of my swings, just like on a playground swing, thanks to the hook mechanic. By doing so, I have the ability to control the force behind my leaps.

Additional videos and blog posts are available on the official site, but it’s worth mentioning that certain surfaces have become impassable. According to Lemay-Comtois, this is significant because it requires us to be more careful when designing engaging parkour routes, giving us greater control over where Naoe can move and limiting Yasuke’s access to specific areas. This, in turn, enhances the distinctiveness between the two playstyles.

In the blog post, it’s mentioned that while there are new additions, rest assured that many areas in Assassin’s Creed Shadows remain accessible, particularly with the use of the grappling hook. However, players may need to search for appropriate places to enter at certain points.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S|X on February 14th.

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2025-01-09 13:46