The article delves into the latest installment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, titled Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in feudal Japan. It discusses the evolution of gameplay and narrative elements since the series’ inception, highlighting the challenges and controversies faced during development. While players engage with new mechanics such as Rifts and Anomalies, the article critiques the disconnection from the overarching lore and the generic protagonist, raising questions about the integration of modern Templar elements within the storyline.
Exploring the World of Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Since its debut in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed franchise by Ubisoft has transported players across diverse historical landscapes and eras. Throughout the years, the immersive simulations have evolved into more expansive and intricate experiences, enabling us to delve into the fictional age-old feud between the Assassins and Templars. As human history unfolds in endless cycles, the developers have creatively devised ways to transport us back to times well before the Third Crusade, allowing us to explore the realms of Antiquity, enriched with mythological dimensions through the enigmatic Isu, also known as the Predecessors. In anticipation of the series’ 15th anniversary towards the close of 2022, we were introduced to a new narrative direction. Following the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which serves as a prequel to Valhalla centered on the character of Basim, the fourth chapter unfolds in feudal Japan, revolving around an Animus Hub integrated into the aptly named Assassin’s Creed Shadows. After facing several controversies and two delays, this latest installment, primarily developed by Ubisoft Quebec (Syndicate, Odyssey), has finally emerged, carrying significant expectations regarding the future of the franchise. Our initial hands-on experience in January left us with a sense of optimism, but also raised numerous questions. Having invested over 110 hours in the Animus EGO and navigated the intertwined narratives of Naoe and Yasuke, we are now ready to share our insights on this captivating yet imperfect creation. The player base for this universe is diverse, and while some may find certain criticized elements less favorable, others may appreciate them. Before we venture into the past, it’s essential to reflect on the overarching meta-narrative, or rather, its near absence.
Understanding the Gameplay Dynamics
While the present-day gameplay elements have been a staple since the franchise’s inception, they have rarely resonated with the entire community. Many players feel that these sequences disrupt the flow of the main Sequences and fail to deliver gameplay experiences comparable to those found within the Genetic Memories. Following the saga of Desmond Miles and the urgency of game releases leading up to the “end of the world” in 2012, numerous experimental approaches were attempted. This included exploring Abstergo Entertainment environments in first-person views (Black Flag, Rogue) as a faceless character, and later, the player becoming complicit with the Assassins through the Helix console (Unity, Syndicate), which introduced cutscenes and Rifts to revisit locations across different historical timelines. While the fate of Juno shifted to comics, the trilogy of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla focused on Layla Hassan, culminating in a rather audacious conclusion. Although many lore enthusiasts hoped for Basim to take center stage, Shadows offers an experience that is abstract and somewhat perplexing.
Despite the appearance of the Abstergo logo and the reference to Animus EGO, which raises eyebrows, the organization representing modern Templars is notably absent from the narrative, leaving no temporal context. We are left unsure whether we embody a specific protagonist or simply “us,” as the character remains generic. Although the identity of the cryptic voice known as the Guide becomes clearer upon completing the game, there is no substantial connection justifying our immersive journey in Japan, which stands alone. Thus, its exclusion would not diminish our overall experience, leaving only those intrigued by this aspect of the lore feeling somewhat disappointed.
The four Rifts introduced after key story events diverge significantly from past implementations, as do the so-called Anomalies. Unlike before, players will not encounter puzzle sequences or airborne platforming challenges. The quests related to Rifts entail restoring nodes within a specified area to unlock a portal, with minor parkour elements present in the final segment. Following this, players transition from the embodied character to a corridor of the Animus to engage in dialogues, often accompanied by vague video snippets of game events. It is advisable to finish the hunt for the Shinbakufu before completing the third Rift, as it spoils later narrative revelations, albeit predictably. Some dialogues, particularly towards the end, do enrich the backstory of prominent characters and are a welcome addition, while others currently seem forgettable.
In addition to these few narrative crumbs, players can participate in four Anomalies each week, with missions that vary from collecting “mon” (the currency of that era) to engaging in battles against formidable boss-type opponents. Everyone has the opportunity to engage with the…