Ubisoft has recently shared new footage from Assassin’s Creed Shadows, offering an exciting glimpse of Naoe, the game’s protagonist, performing parkour in the captivating setting of feudal Japan. This newly released video provides the most extensive look yet at the parkour system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, showcasing the fluidity and dynamism of Naoe’s movements.
A Return to Classic Parkour
Parkour has long been a defining feature of the Assassin’s Creed series, but in recent years, especially during the RPG trilogy, the system was simplified. This change left many fans yearning for the more complex and intricate parkour mechanics of earlier titles. Rumors have been circulating that Assassin’s Creed Shadows would bring back the series’ signature parkour style with an overhaul of the system. Although Ubisoft has not officially confirmed these changes, the gameplay footage released so far suggests a return to form, featuring several brand-new parkour animations that hint at a more complex system.
Silky-Smooth Parkour Showcased in New Footage
On August 12, Ubisoft released a new gameplay clip focusing entirely on parkour, which has fueled further excitement. The video features Naoe gracefully running, jumping, and grappling across rooftops in a seamless, 35-second sequence. Compared to the parkour moves of past Assassin’s Creed characters, Naoe’s movements are noticeably more fluid and flashy, with a variety of flips and turns that add a layer of style to her traversal.
The video highlights several new animations, including distinct flips for descending from hanging positions, jumping down from heights, and launching forward while swinging with the grappling hook. Naoe can also perform stylish flips while vaulting over obstacles or descending from small ledges. The grappling hook animations are particularly noteworthy, as they blend seamlessly into Naoe’s movement, maintaining a natural flow without feeling overly “gamey.”
Additionally, the footage hints at improvements in cloth physics, with minimal clipping observed throughout the sequence. However, it’s important to note that this video represents a carefully curated segment of gameplay and may not fully reflect the final product’s moment-to-moment experience.
Parkour Variations Between Protagonists
One aspect that Ubisoft has yet to explore in-depth is how parkour will differ between the game’s two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. Ubisoft previously confirmed that the characters would have distinct playstyles, both in combat and movement. Yasuke, being a samurai, won’t be as agile as the shinobi Naoe. Instead of darting across rooftops, Yasuke is designed to be more grounded, focusing on cutting through enemies rather than evading them. However, he will still have opportunities for stealth and will be able to climb objects like suitably angled trees.
Release Date and Early Access
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on current-generation consoles and PC on November 15. Players who purchase one of the higher-tier editions or subscribe to Ubisoft+ will gain early access to the game starting November 12.
This new installment promises to deliver a rich and dynamic experience, with its enhanced parkour system standing out as a key feature that will likely resonate with long-time fans of the series.
