AC: Shadows Campaign: Intense, Shorter, Packed with Meaningful Locations

Fans of Assassin's Creed Valhalla have expressed concerns about the game's extensive storyline and abundance of side quests, prompting Ubisoft to refine their approach in the upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Shadows. The developers have taken these criticisms to heart, aiming to create a more streamlined and focused experience.

Game director Charles Benoit announced that the main campaign of Shadows is expected to take around 50 hours to complete. For those eager to explore every corner of the game's world and engage in all side quests, the total playtime could extend to approximately 100 hours. This is a notable reduction from Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for the main storyline and up to 150 hours for full completion.

Ubisoft's strategy for Shadows involves a careful balance between narrative and optional content, designed to prevent player fatigue while preserving the depth and richness of the game's universe. The goal is to cater to both players who seek a comprehensive gaming experience and those who prefer to focus primarily on the storyline without investing hundreds of hours.

Game director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the significant impact of the team's research trip to Japan on the development of Shadows. The real-world exploration of Japanese landscapes, including vast castles, tiered mountains, and dense forests, inspired a more realistic and detailed approach to the game's world.

"The sheer scale of these fortresses was unexpected," Dumont remarked, emphasizing the need for greater realism and attention to detail. This focus on authenticity extends to the game's geography, where longer distances between points of interest will enhance the sense of an expansive, open world. Unlike the more densely packed points of interest in Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Shadows will feature more spaced-out locations, encouraging longer travel times and a more immersive experience.

As players journey through Shadows, they can expect each location to be richly detailed and unique, contributing to a heightened sense of the Japanese atmosphere. This meticulous attention to detail aims to fully immerse players in the game's world, offering a fresh and engaging experience within the Assassin's Creed series.