New Assassin's Creed Shadows Gameplay Shows Kyoto, Raising Parkour Concerns
A recent gameplay video from Impress Watch offers a sneak peek at Kyoto in Assassin's Creed Shadows, viewed from a synchronization point. The video shows protagonist Naoe navigating a rooftop, revealing a panoramic city view. However, the scale of Kyoto has sparked debate among fans.
While the visuals are praised on Reddit, concerns are raised regarding core Assassin's Creed mechanics – specifically, climbing and parkour. The footage suggests limited free-running opportunities, generating mixed reactions.
Several comments highlight this:
"Isn't Kyoto supposed to be about half the size of Paris from Unity? It looks beautiful, but I hoped for a densely populated city ideal for parkour."
"Looks great, but restricted parkour is disappointing. Hopefully, the grappling hook compensates."
"Nice visuals, but insufficient structures for proper parkour."
"Visually appealing, but it doesn't feel like a city. Historically accurate perhaps, but lacking in parkour potential."
Launching March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows' integration of signature mechanics within this historical setting remains to be seen. Kyoto's emphasis on authenticity may compromise extensive traversal, leaving the balance between aesthetics and gameplay uncertain until release.
