"Parkour Athletes Review Assassin's Creed Shadows Movements"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ parkour mechanics have been put to the test by two genuine parkour athletes, offering a unique perspective on the game's realism and the immersive recreation of Feudal Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

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

In a recent PC Gamer’s Reality Check video released on March 15, Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the renowned UK parkour team STORROR provided their expert insights on the realism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour. Both athletes, fans of the Assassin’s Creed series, are also working on their own video game, STORROR Parkour Pro, which aims to replicate real-life parkour movements.

In the video, Segar critiqued a scene where the protagonist Yasuke uses an "alpine knee" to climb—a move that places undue stress on the knee and is considered impractical and potentially harmful in the parkour community.

Cave highlighted another unrealistic aspect: the game's portrayal of endless endurance, with characters performing continuous parkour without rest. He emphasized the real-life necessity of caution and preparation in parkour, which contrasts with the game’s depiction of characters effortlessly navigating complex environments.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows operates within the realm of fiction, Ubisoft has strived to enhance the realism of its parkour mechanics. In a January interview with IGN, Game Director Charles Benoit mentioned that the game's release was delayed to refine these elements further.

Bringing Players Closer to Feudal Japan

Beyond its parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to bring players closer to the historical setting of Feudal Japan through its "Cultural Discovery" feature. Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio explained in a March 18 post on their website that this in-game Codex will include over 125 entries on the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, crafted with input from historians and featuring images from various institutions.

Creating this immersive world was not without challenges, as revealed in a March 17 interview with The Guardian. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté shared the long-standing desire to set an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, finally realized with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. He noted the extensive planning and research that went into this decision.

Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the team's dedication to authenticity, mentioning trips to Kyoto and Osaka and collaboration with historians to accurately depict the period. Despite technical hurdles like the unique lighting in Japan’s mountains, the team's efforts paid off in capturing the essence of Feudal Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, be sure to check out our detailed article below!