For well over a decade, fans have been asking for an Assassin’s Creed game set in Feudal Japan. Those fans are on the cusp of finally getting their wish, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows now set to release in a little over a month. And based on the pre-release marketing, it seems as though Ubisoft is really making the most of the long-requested setting.
For the first time since 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will introduce two central protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. While Yasuke uses brute force and heavy weapons to overcome obstacles, Naoe uses stealth and an array of Assassin gadgets. Naoe also has a bevy of parkour abilities to help her reach her well-guarded targets, including a handful of new mechanics that heavily reinforce that character’s shinobi background.
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How Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ New Parkour Mechanics Reinforce Naoe’s Character
Naoe Will Truly Feel Like a “Parkour Master”
While all of Assassin’s Creed‘s past protagonists have been fast on their feet, none have ever been quite as swift as Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ Naoe. In a recent blog post, Ubisoft describes Naoe as a “true parkour master,” and that’s evidenced clearly through the game’s handful of new parkour abilities, many of which are exclusive to Naoe.
The ‘parkour down’ mechanic returns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and it’s easier to use than ever before. Players simply need to press the dodge button (now assigned to “B/Circle” on controllers) and they’ll begin to descend a building rapidly. But if players are at a non-lethal height, a tap of the dodge button in conjunction with a directional command will see them perform a stylish front-flip that lands them safely on the ground.
According to Ubisoft’s recent blog post, Naoe is also the “fastest Assassin to date,” being able to sprint much faster than any protagonist before her. Naoe also has an exclusive Sprint Dodge ability. While at full sprint, players can press the dodge button to dive forward, avoiding any oncoming ranged attacks and leaping over any waist-high obstacles in Naoe’s path. Naoe also has Automatic Passover while sprinting, which allows her to use a range of acrobatic moves to fluidly hop over obstacles while outside of combat.
Naoe also has access to a new physics-based grappling hook, which will allow players to swing from anchor points and attach onto ledges high above them. Naoe has more parkour abilities than any Assassin before her, and the fluidity and finesse shown in her acrobatic animations portray just how much mastery she has over the environment.
Yasuke will still be able to parkour, but he’s slower and doesn’t have access to all of Naoe’s abilities, such as the Sprint Dodge mechanic.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Merging Naoe’s Stealth and Parkour Mechanics
But a mastery over parkour is only half of the battle for a cunning shinobi. Naoe also has access to an array of new stealth abilities, many of which flow seamlessly with the protagonist’s parkour mechanics.
While traversing rooftops is often the best way to reach a target, it’s become a much riskier venture in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with “parkour up” moves now creating sound that can attract enemies. Leaping from a rooftop and hitting the ground can also create sound. Players can mitigate these noises by changing stances while on rooftops so that they’re crouched or prone, and by pressing the dodge button as they hit the floor after a jump, which makes player-character Naoe perform an Igan Recovery Roll.
Being able to directly control the amount of sound Naoe makes while parkouring is a great addition to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, making the player think like a stealthy shinobi and setting Naoe apart from past series protagonists in the process.
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
- Released
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February 14, 2025
- Engine
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AnvilNext
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
- X|S Optimized
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Yes
- Number of Players
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1
- PC Release Date
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February 14, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
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February 14, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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February 14, 2025