AC: Shadows Campaign Intensifies, Shorter But Richer

Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive playtime and numerous optional tasks drew criticism from fans, a point Ubisoft has directly addressed in the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The development team has focused on streamlining the experience, making shadows easier to see and more compact.

Game director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline of Shadows will take approximately 50 hours, while exploring all regions and side quests could extend playtime to around 100 hours. This contrasts with Valhalla's minimum 60-hour main story and potential 150-hour completion time. Ubisoft aimed to reduce optional content to prevent overwhelming players, offering a more balanced blend of narrative and side activities. The goal is to create a less tedious, yet richly detailed and engaging experience.

The developers aim to satisfy both players who enjoy expansive gameplay and those prioritizing the main story. Rich gameplay won't be sacrificed for brevity, and story-focused players can complete the game without a massive time commitment.

Game director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the team's research trip to Japan as a significant influence on Shadows' development. The scale and detail of Japanese castles, mountainous landscapes, and dense forests surprised the team, leading to a commitment to greater realism and detail.

This commitment to realism is reflected in the game's world geography. Travel between points of interest will require longer distances, creating a more open and natural world, unlike the more densely packed points of interest found in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. However, this increased travel time will be offset by significantly richer and more nuanced locations. Dumont emphasized Shadows' superior level of detail, promising a truly immersive Japanese atmosphere.