Parkour Athletes Review Assassin's Creed Shadows Movements

Dive into the fascinating world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, where the parkour mechanics have been scrutinized by two seasoned parkour athletes. Discover the realism behind the game’s movements and how Ubisoft has meticulously crafted a vivid representation of Feudal Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

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

In a detailed review featured in PC Gamer’s Reality Check video on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK's STORROR team provided insightful feedback on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour. As avid fans of the series and creators of their own parkour-based game, STORROR Parkour Pro, their perspective is invaluable.

In the video, Segar highlighted a scene from AC Shadows where protagonist Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" to climb a ledge, a move he deemed a "hate crime against parkour." This technique, where the knee bears the full weight, is considered unsafe and impractical in real parkour, risking injury.

Cave further critiqued the game’s portrayal of endless endurance and the unrealistic ability to perform parkour moves without pausing or assessing surroundings. He emphasized that real parkour involves careful planning and execution, contrasting sharply with the game's depiction.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a work of fiction, Ubisoft has strived to infuse realism into its parkour mechanics. In a January interview with IGN, Game Director Charles Benoit mentioned that the game's release was delayed to perfect these mechanics.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Beyond the parkour, Ubisoft aims to immerse players in the historical context of Feudal Japan through the "Cultural Discovery" section within the game. Announced on March 18 by Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio, this feature will offer an in-depth look into the Azuchi-Momoyama period, with over 125 entries at launch, crafted by historians and enriched with images from museums and institutions.

Creating this immersive experience was not without challenges. In an interview with The Guardian on March 17, Ubisoft developers shared their journey in bringing Feudal Japan to life. Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté highlighted the long-standing interest in setting an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, finally realized with AC Shadows. Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's dedication, involving trips to Kyoto and Osaka and collaboration with historians to authentically capture Japan's essence.

Despite technical hurdles like accurately replicating the unique light patterns in Japan's mountains, Ubisoft's commitment to detail has been unwavering. Coté remarked on the high expectations and the challenges they faced, underscoring the team's resolve to meet them.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on Assassin’s Creed Shadows by checking out our dedicated article.