Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour has been put to the test by two genuine parkour athletes, offering insights into the game's realism and how Ubisoft has brought the world of Feudal Japan to life.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Does A "Hate Crime Against Parkour"

In a detailed Reality Check video from PC Gamer, released on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team, who are both fans of the Assassin’s Creed series and working on their own game, STORROR Parkour Pro, shared their expert critique on Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour realism.

In the video, Segar highlighted a clip from AC Shadows where protagonist Yasuke performs a move they deemed a "hate crime against parkour." This move, known as an "alpine knee," involves using the knee as a crutch to bear the body's weight during a climb, which, according to Segar, is not only impractical but could lead to injury in real-life parkour.

Cave also noted the unrealistic nature of the game's parkour, particularly the protagonists' endless endurance and the ability to perform continuous moves without rest. He emphasized the difference between the game's mechanics and real-life parkour, where athletes take time to assess and prepare before executing moves.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fictional game with its own set of rules, Ubisoft has made significant efforts to enhance the realism of its parkour mechanics. In an interview with IGN in January, AC Shadows Game Director Charles Benoit mentioned that the delay in the game's release was to refine these mechanics further.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Beyond its parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to immerse players in the historical context of Feudal Japan through its "Cultural Discovery" feature. Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio explained on the company's website on March 18 that this feature, part of the in-game Codex, provides over 125 entries at launch, offering detailed insights into the Azuchi-Momoyama period's history, art, and culture. These entries are crafted by historians and include authentic images from museums and institutions, promising a rich educational experience alongside gameplay.

Creating an authentic representation of Feudal Japan has not been without challenges. In an interview with The Guardian on March 17, Ubisoft's team, including Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté and Creative Director Johnathan Dumont, discussed the complexities of capturing Japan's essence. Coté highlighted the long-standing desire to set an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, a dream finally realized with AC Shadows. Dumont added that the team went to great lengths, including trips to Kyoto and Osaka, to ensure historical accuracy, despite facing issues such as accurately depicting the unique lighting in Japan's mountainous regions.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated game.