After the announcement of Assassin's Creed: Shadows, IGN published an extensive article revealing even more interesting details.
Setting:
- The events take place during the Azuchi-Momoyama period from 1579 to the early 1580s. This is the first game since Assassin's Creed: Syndicate with classic versions of Assassins and Templars;
- Shadows will also be the first game with a protagonist who has a real historical prototype. The main character is the samurai Yasuke;
- As players progress, they will meet other historical figures, including Japan's «great unifier» Oda Nobunaga and ninja master Fujibayashi Nagato.
Stealth and Parkour:
- The developers have implemented a new global lighting system responsible for dynamic light and shadows. It plays an important role in gameplay: heroes can hide in shadows and even create darkness by destroying lanterns or killing torchbearers;
- There is now a light sensor on the screen showing how well the hero is hidden;
- A new type of enemy has been introduced — servants. They will not fight the main hero but will call for reinforcements if they detect him;
- For those who prefer «peaceful» gameplay, there is an option to knock out enemies;
- Heroes can crawl in a prone position to pass through small openings;
- Naoe, the second main character, has a grappling hook that attaches to roof edges, rafters under ceilings, and some other points. The rope has its own physical model, allowing the character to swing;
- The game brings back the usual «eagle vision.» Enemies are marked in red, and servants in orange;
- The famous drone-bird, disliked by many players, will not be in the new part;
- Stealth gameplay is available for both heroes, but Yasuke, due to his size and heavy armor, prefers open combat.
Combat and RPG System:
- There are no shields in the game, but enemies have an armor durability system;
- As a samurai, Yasuke can block and parry attacks. Naoe lacks this ability but can «deflect» enemy attacks. What this means is still unclear;
- Almost every item can be broken. The katana blade cuts through bushes and even fruit baskets (journalists recall Fruit Ninja here), arrows leave precise punctures, and maces shatter pots into small pieces;
- The weapon arsenal includes katanas, Japanese kanabo clubs, yari spears, shurikens, kunai, and kusarigamas, which resemble sickles on chains. Yasuke can use arquebus rifles;
- Each weapon has its own skill tree. Skills increase with use;
- Yasuke and Naoe have separate skill trees and equipment, but experience, collected resources, and inventory are shared;
- Active combat skills are mentioned, which need to be unlocked by finding special scrolls. Something similar was in Assassin's Creed Valhalla;
- Players will be able to create their own katana from individual components. Transmogrification and customization systems are also announced.
Dynamic World and Seasons:
- Assassin's Creed: Shadows runs on an updated version of the Anvil game engine;
- The game will feature changing seasons. Seasons change according to the story and affect gameplay. For example, in spring and summer, heroes can hide in tall grass, while in autumn and winter, water freezes and icicles grow on roofs, which can fall and attract the enemy's attention;
- Seasons also affect NPC behavior. In summer, enemy samurai actively search through bushes, while in winter, they try to stay by the fire;
- There is a dynamic weather system that changes from season to season. Interesting phenomena include deep fog, strong wind, and storms that can mask your steps;
- The developers also mention ecosystem simulation. For example, in spring, the wind spreads tree pollen;
- The map is divided into regions and is similar in size to that of Assassin's Creed: Origins;
- There are fewer synchronization points, and the map does not get cluttered with dozens of icons. Additionally, activating a synchronization point no longer includes a circular flyover cutscene;
- The game will feature many diverse locations, and settlements and castles are recreated to scale.
Assassinations and Quests:
- The main storyline is centered around finding assassination targets. Targets can be sought in any order;
- Some targets move around the world, so you might encounter them completely by chance;
- Ubisoft aims to make the adventure more autonomous and not direct players on where to go next;
- Most main quests can be completed as either Yasuke or Naoe. Additionally, the heroes have their own missions;
- Players will be able to develop a hideout and even create their own spy network. Agents sent on missions will gather information about your targets.
Assassin's Creed: Shadows will be released on November 15 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5.