Parkour Athletes Review Assassin’s Creed Shadows Moves

Dive into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as two professional parkour athletes from the UK's STORROR team, Toby Segar and Benj Cave, provide an in-depth review of the game's parkour realism. Their insights offer a unique perspective on how Ubisoft has crafted the parkour experience in Feudal Japan, blending historical authenticity with the thrilling gameplay that fans expect.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

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

In a detailed analysis featured in PC Gamer's Reality Check video on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave, who are not only fans of the Assassin’s Creed series but also developing their own game, STORROR Parkour Pro, scrutinized the parkour mechanics of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Segar highlighted a particular move by the protagonist Yasuke, labeling it a "hate crime against parkour." He critiqued a scene where Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" to climb, a technique that parkour enthusiasts consider impractical and potentially harmful due to the strain it places on the knee.

Benj Cave also weighed in, pointing out the unrealistic aspects such as climbing structures without ledges and effortlessly balancing on tightropes. He emphasized the series' portrayal of endless endurance, stating, "In parkour, no one ever just runs and commits to stuff without looking. In real-life parkour, you check, you measure, you prep, and it’s such a slower process." While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fictional game, Ubisoft's efforts to enhance the realism of its parkour were acknowledged. Game Director Charles Benoit mentioned in an IGN interview in January that the game's release was delayed to refine these mechanics.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Beyond its parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to immerse players in the rich tapestry of Feudal Japan. Ubisoft's commitment to historical accuracy is evident in the game's "Cultural Discovery" section, detailed on their website on March 18. Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio explained that this feature within the in-game Codex provides over 125 encyclopedic entries about the Azuchi-Momoyama period, crafted with input from historians and featuring images from museums and institutions.

The journey to authentically represent Feudal Japan was not without its challenges, as shared by the developers in a March 17 interview with The Guardian. Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté discussed the long-awaited decision to set the game in Japan, stating, "I've been on this franchise for 16 years and I think every time we start a new game, Japan comes up and we ask, is this the time?" Creative Director Johnathan Dumont elaborated on the extensive efforts, including trips to Kyoto and Osaka, to ensure an accurate depiction. Despite technical hurdles, such as the unique lighting in Japan's mountains, the team's dedication paid off, capturing the essence of the period.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for the latest updates on Assassin’s Creed Shadows to ensure you don't miss out on any new information!