"AC: Shadows Campaign Intense, Shorter with Key Locations"

Assassin's Creed Valhalla received feedback from fans regarding its lengthy plot and extensive optional tasks. Ubisoft has taken these critiques to heart and promises a more streamlined experience with Assassin's Creed Shadows. Game director Charles Benoit revealed that the Shadows campaign is designed to be completed in approximately 50 hours. For those who wish to delve into every region and tackle all side quests, the time commitment will rise to around 100 hours. This is a significant reduction from Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for a main playthrough and up to 150 hours for full completion.

Ubisoft aims to reduce the sense of overwhelm by trimming optional content in Shadows, offering a more balanced blend of narrative and side activities. The goal is to enhance gameplay enjoyment without sacrificing the depth and richness of the game world. This approach caters to players who value quality gameplay without a marathon duration, as well as those who prefer a focused story-driven experience without the need for hundreds of hours of playtime.

Game director Jonathan Dumont shared insights into the team's research trip to Japan, which profoundly influenced the development of Shadows. The tangible experience of Japan's landscapes—from the grandeur of its castles and tiered mountains to the dense forests—prompted the team to infuse more realism and attention to detail into the game. Dumont noted, "The sheer size of these fortresses makes you say, I didn't expect this scale. We came to the conclusion that much more realism and attention to detail were required."

A key change in Shadows is the more realistic world geography. Players will need to travel longer distances between points of interest to fully appreciate the open landscapes, yet each location will offer richer and more nuanced experiences. Unlike Assassin's Creed Odyssey, where points of interest were often closely packed, Shadows introduces a more open and natural world where travel takes longer. This design choice enhances the level of detail and immersion, allowing players to deeply engage with the Japanese atmosphere.