AC: Shadows Campaign: Intense, Shorter, Packed with Meaningful Locations

Assassin's Creed fans who found the extensive plot and myriad optional tasks in Valhalla overwhelming will be pleased to know that Ubisoft has taken note. With the upcoming release of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the developers have made adjustments to enhance the gaming experience. Shadows aims to be more streamlined, with a more visible and condensed narrative path.

In an insightful interview, game director Charles Benoit revealed that the main campaign of Shadows is designed to take around 50 hours to complete. For those eager to delve into every region and complete all side quests, the total playtime will be approximately 100 hours. This is a significant reduction compared to Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for the main storyline and up to 150 hours for full completion.

Ubisoft has consciously worked to minimize the volume of optional content in Shadows, aiming to prevent player fatigue. The game promises a more harmonious blend of story-driven missions and side activities, ensuring that the gameplay remains engaging without sacrificing the depth and richness of the world.

This approach caters to both players who crave extensive gameplay and those who prefer a more focused narrative experience, allowing them to complete the game without the need for hundreds of hours of playtime.

Game director Jonathan Dumont disclosed that the development team's research trip to Japan profoundly influenced the creation of Shadows. The team was awestruck by the grandeur of the castles, the intricate mountain landscapes, and the dense forests, which led them to prioritize realism and detail in the game's design.

One of the key changes in Shadows is the more realistic representation of the world's geography. Players will need to travel greater distances between points of interest to fully appreciate the open landscapes. Yet, each location will offer a more detailed and nuanced experience.

Unlike the travel system in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where points of interest were often closely packed, Shadows will feature longer travel times and a more naturally expansive world. As players progress, they will encounter increasingly rich and detailed locations. Dumont emphasized that the heightened attention to detail in Shadows will allow players to immerse themselves fully in the Japanese setting.