Fans of Assassin's Creed Valhalla have expressed concerns over the game's extensive plot and numerous optional tasks, prompting Ubisoft to refine their approach for the upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Shadows. In response to the feedback, Ubisoft has streamlined the experience, making Shadows more focused and easier to navigate.
Game director Charles Benoit revealed in an interview that completing the main campaign of Shadows will take approximately 50 hours. For those eager to explore every region and engage in all side quests, the total playtime could extend to around 100 hours. This is a notable reduction from Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for the main story and up to 150 hours for full completion.
Ubisoft's strategy with Shadows is to strike a better balance between the main storyline and optional content, aiming to prevent player fatigue while preserving the depth and richness of the game world. This approach ensures that players who enjoy comprehensive gameplay won't feel shortchanged, while those who prefer a more direct narrative path can complete the game without investing hundreds of hours.
Game director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the team's commitment to authenticity, sharing insights from their research trip to Japan. The experience profoundly influenced the development of Shadows, leading to a more realistic portrayal of the environment. "The scale of the castles, the layered mountain landscapes, and the dense forests were all surprising," Dumont noted. "We realized we needed to incorporate much more realism and detail into the game."
One of the key changes in Shadows is the more realistic representation of world geography. Players will now travel longer distances between points of interest, allowing for a more immersive experience of the open landscapes. Unlike Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where points of interest were closely packed, Shadows offers a more natural and expansive world. As players journey through the game, they will encounter increasingly detailed and nuanced locations, enhancing the overall Japanese ambiance.
Dumont highlighted that Shadows boasts a significantly higher level of detail, promising players a deeply immersive experience that captures the essence of Japan.
