Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour mechanics have been put to the test by two professional parkour athletes, offering a unique perspective on the game's realism and its 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 PC Gamer Reality Check video released on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team, who are also fans and creators of their own parkour-based video game, STORROR Parkour Pro, provided their insights on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour. They specifically critiqued a scene where the protagonist, Yasuke, uses an "alpine knee" to climb a ledge, a move they consider impractical and potentially harmful in real parkour due to the strain it places on the knee.
Benj Cave also highlighted the series' portrayal of unlimited endurance in parkour, noting that real-life practitioners always assess and prepare before executing moves, unlike the game's protagonists who seamlessly transition between feats without pause. Despite these critiques, Ubisoft has worked to enhance the realism of parkour in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as mentioned by Game Director Charles Benoit in a January IGN interview, where he explained that the game's release was delayed to refine these mechanics.
Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan
Beyond its parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to immerse players in the historical context of Feudal Japan. Ubisoft's "Cultural Discovery" feature, as detailed by Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio on March 18, will include over 125 entries in the in-game Codex, covering the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, with contributions from historians and museum resources.
The development team faced challenges in accurately representing Feudal Japan, as discussed in a March 17 interview with The Guardian. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté shared the long-standing interest in setting an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, finally realized in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's dedication to authenticity, including trips to Kyoto and Osaka and collaboration with historians. Despite challenges like accurately depicting light in Japan's mountains, the team's efforts have been aimed at meeting high fan expectations.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this eagerly anticipated game!
