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Assassin's Creed Shadows

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Assassin's Creed Shadows
Developer(s)Ubisoft Quebec[a]
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Director(s)Jonathan Dumont
Charles Benoit
Producer(s)Karl Onnée
Artist(s)Thierry Dansereau
Writer(s)Ryan Galletta
Composer(s)
SeriesAssassin's Creed
EngineUbisoft Anvil
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW:November 15, 2024
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Assassin's Creed Shadowsis an upcomingaction role-playingvideo gamedeveloped byUbisoft Quebecand published byUbisoft,set to release in November 2024. The game is the fourteenth major installment in theAssassin's Creedseries and the successor to 2023'sAssassin's Creed Mirage,as well as the first title to be included in theAssassin's Creed: Infinityplatform.

Set in 16th-centuryJapantowards the end of theSengoku period,the game will focus on the millennia-old struggle of theAssassin Brotherhood,who fight for peace and liberty, and theTemplar Order,who desire peace through control, from the perspective of two protagonists: Naoe, a femaleshinobi,and Yasuke,[b]an Africansamuraiinspired by thehistorical figure of the same name.[c]The two characters control differently and provide a unique gameplay style, allowing quests to be approached in multiple ways.

Shadowsis set to be released forPlayStation 5,Windows,Xbox Series X/S,macOSandiPadOSon November 15, 2024.

Gameplay[edit]

Main article:Gameplay of theAssassin's Creedseries

Assassin's Creed Shadowsis an action-adventurestealth gamesimilar to its predecessors. It is developed on an upgraded version ofAnvil,utilizing dynamic lighting and environmental interactions with new enhancements such as breakableprops,in addition to allowing players to manipulate shadows and use agrappling hookforparkour.[5]The game'sopen world,whose size is comparable to that fromAssassin's Creed Origins,[6]progresses through seasons, each affecting gameplay, including frozen water andiciclesin winter, long grass and blooming plants in spring. Missions arenon-linear,encouraging players to track and eliminate targets freely; in a change from previous games, vantage points will exist in the world but only to help the player scan the environment for points of interest, rather than populating the player's map with objectives markers.[7]Alternatively, one can recruit and train aspynetwork to gather intelligence, alongsidebribingofficials to ascertain the whereabouts of targets.[8][9]

This installment introduces new gameplay features, including the ability tocrawlalong the ground in a prone position, providing the player characters with a lower profile and the capability to access small openings. The character can also venture into shallow water, where they then deploy abamboostick to breathe through.[5][10]Eagle vision also makes a comeback, but unlikeAssassin's Creed Mirage,it would not reveal the NPCs through the walls;[11]as enemies are denoted in red, while allies are highlighted in orange. Moreover, a diverse selection of historically accurate weapons is showcased, ranging fromkatanasand thekanabōwar club toyarispears,shuriken,kunai,and thekusarigama.Each weapon comes with its ownskill tree,enabling players to improve their proficiency with specific weapons over time.[5]

Players have the ability to switch between characters as they progress through different missions. Yasuke's combat features destructible environments and realistic weapon impacts, providing a cinematic fighting experience, in addition to usingarquebuses,giving him a powerful long-range capability. Meanwhile, Naoe brandishes the iconic hidden blade with its pivot feature to serve as atantō,as well as utilizing a kusarigama to fend off attackers, swinging its chain in wide arcs to create distance. Moreover, she employs stealth tactics with an agile and lethal playstyle, hiding in theraftersand ambushing enemies throughShojipaper doors.[5]

Synopsis[edit]

Setting[edit]

Assassin's Creed Shadowsis set infeudal Japan,specifically starting in 1579 during theAzuchi-Momoyama period.This era marks the final stage of theSengoku period,a time of intense civil war in Japan. The game features the historical figureOda Nobunagaat the height of his power following his victory over theTakeda clanusing arquebus firearms. Key historical events include Nobunaga's assault on theIga provincein 1581, asignificant battleinvolving theIga ikki,known for theirninjutsuarts.[12]

The game will explore central Japan, including regions likeKyoto,Kobe,Osaka,and the Iga province, with historically accurate castles such asTakedaandFukuchiyama,along with detailed historical landmarks and strongholds designed as intricatedungeons.[7]This setting promises a vibrant world of urbanization, bustling ports, samurai districts, and ornate architecture, all significant for parkour and exploration in the game. The influence ofPortuguese tradersandJesuit missionaries,who introducedChristianityand new technologies like cannons and long guns, also plays a role in shaping the game's environment and narrative.[12]

Development and release[edit]

Shadowswas announced at Ubisoft Forward in September 2022 under the working titleAssassin's Creed: Codename Redalong with its planned successorAssassin's Creed: Codename Hexe.[13]There, Ubisoft announced thatAssassin's Creedwould be entering a third period related to shifts in design philosophy and approaches to future games, all connected by a working concept calledAssassin's Creed Infinity.[14]The first major gameplay details were announced on May 15, 2024, along with the final name and release date.[15][16][17]It was also later revealed thatUbisoft Quebecwho previously developedAssassin's Creed OdysseyandAssassin's Creed Syndicatewould be developing the game.[18]Development began in 2020, following the release ofAssassin's Creed Valhalla.[11]

The game is set to be released on November 15, 2024, forPlayStation 5,Windows,Xbox Series X/SandmacOS.[19]With these announcements it was announced atApple'sWWDC 2024thatShadowswill release on macOS on the same day as the PC, and consoles.[20]

Reception[edit]

Protagonist controversy[edit]

Upon the release of the video game'spremiere traileron May 15, 2024, some fans have criticized Ubisoft's choice to set the game in Japan while featuring a fictional version ofYasuke,an African, over a Japanese protagonist. They noted that Ubisoft has never made a game with a male East Asian protagonist, others suggested that Yasuke was "not a 'real' samurai", due to him only serving as a retainer toOda Nobunaga.[21]Some conservative critics described the game as "woke"and slammed the potential option forLGBTQrelationships. Right-wing YouTuberTim Poolcalled it "pandering" to use Yasuke instead of a "real Japanese hero in a Japanese time period."[22]Other fans have suggested that criticism of theblackprotagonist was motivated byracism.[21]Along with the outrage, Matt Kim ofIGNpraised the choice of Yasuke to differentiate itself from other video games featuring Asian samurai protagonists, noting that he was a known historical figure.[23]

Ubisoft said Yasuke was included in the game because they wanted a samurai character whose story was "open-ended enough to allow for creativity," noting that "there are still plenty of questions and speculation surrounding" Yasuke.[21]Game director Charles Benoit said that Yasuke was chosen because players could "discover Japan through his eyes, the eyes of a foreigner".[24]A month later, the series' executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté criticizedElon Muskfor "feeding hatred," following his earlier negative comments on the inclusion ofDEIin the game, which Musk claimed was detrimental to art.[25]Côté asserted that players who try the game will understand why Yasuke was added. He stated, "What Elon says is not the game that we’re building. People will have to play the game for themselves. And if, within the first 11 minutes and 47 seconds, they are not convinced of what we’re doing, we can discuss it”. When asked why he mentioned that specific duration, Côté explained, "I was reviewing the game very recently, and I thought, 'the answer is there!' I hope people can keep an open mind and see the game for what it is. It’s an Assassin’s Creed game, and I believe it’s the best one we’ve ever built."[26]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^Additional work byUbisoft Belgrade,Ubisoft Bordeaux,Ubisoft Bucharest,Ubisoft Chengdu,Ubisoft Kyiv,Ubisoft Montpellier,Ubisoft Montreal,Ubisoft Odesa,Ubisoft Osaka,Ubisoft Pune,Ubisoft Shanghai,Ubisoft Singapore,Ubisoft Sofia,and Ubisoft Tokyo[1]
  2. ^The game proclaims that Yasuke was originally fromMozambique,brought to Japan with theJesuit missionaries.[4]
  3. ^While the game's marketing referred to Yasuke as the first playable historical character in the series,Jack the Ripper,Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia,andLeonidas Iwere playable inAssassin's Creed Syndicate(2015),Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia(2016), andAssassin's Creed Odyssey(2018), respectively.

References[edit]

  1. ^Henderson, Tom (May 15, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows has 15 Developer Support Studios".Insider Gaming.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  2. ^Ubisoft Music [@UbisoftMusic] (June 12, 2024)."(3/6) First is the music duo @theflightmusic who previously worked on Assassin's Creed Odyssey - closely with Ubisoft teams, they worked to incorporate traditional Japanese instruments and musicians into a modern style, creating a unique sound for the Shadows universe"(Tweet).RetrievedJune 15,2024– viaTwitter.
  3. ^Ubisoft Music [@UbisoftMusic] (June 12, 2024)."(4/6) Next, the japanese psych-rock band @teketekeband, who created several original songs for Assassin's Creed Shadows - they use a studied and experimental approach to craft their emotive soundscapes, bringing an unexpected twist to the players' musical journey"(Tweet).RetrievedJune 15,2024– viaTwitter.
  4. ^"Assassin's Creed Shadows: Character Reference Guide"(PDF).Ubisoft. pp. 14–15.
  5. ^abcdPurslow, Matthew (May 15, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows: 50 Details You Need To Know".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  6. ^Dinsdale, Ryan (May 16, 2024)."Japan-Set Assassin's Creed Shadows Is Around the Same Size as Assassin's Creed Origins".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2024.RetrievedMay 18,2024.
  7. ^abPurslow, Matthew (May 15, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows: Inside Ubisoft's Ambitious Open World Japan".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  8. ^Selway, Jake (May 6, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows' Changing Open-World and Spy System Explained".Game Rant.
  9. ^Park, Morgan (June 10, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows has the best-looking AC combat in ages, and I love that you can crawl through grass".PC Gamer.
  10. ^Dwiar, Rob (June 10, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows preview: a bold, beautiful, and brutal journey across Feudal Japan".TechRadar.
  11. ^ab"『アサシン クリード シャドウズ』 hỗn loạn の an thổ đào sơn thời đại を sinh きる hầu ・ di trợ と nhẫn ・ nại tự giang の ダブル nhân vật chính, リアルに tái hiện された Nhật Bản に bách る quốc nội độc chiếm インタビューを công khai! | ゲーム・エンタメ mới nhất tình báo の ファミ thông"[ "Assassin's Creed Shadows" features an exclusive interview with the dual protagonists of the samurai Yasuke and the ninja Naoe, who live in the chaotic Azuchi-Momoyama period, approaching a realistically recreated Japan!].ファミ thông(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2024.RetrievedMay 20,2024.
  12. ^abPurslow, Matthew (May 15, 2024)."When and Where Is Assassin's Creed Shadows Set?".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  13. ^Smith, Ed (September 10, 2022)."Assassin's Creed new game Codename: Red finally delivers fans' dreams".PCGamesN.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2022.RetrievedSeptember 10,2022.
  14. ^Batchelor, James (September 13, 2022)."Infinity and beyond: The future of Assassin's Creed".GamesIndustry.biz.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2022.RetrievedDecember 5,2022.
  15. ^Lyons, Ben (May 13, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Codename Red to officially go by Assassin's Creed Shadows".Gamereactor UK.Archivedfrom the original on May 13, 2024.RetrievedMay 13,2024.
  16. ^Lyles, Taylor (May 13, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Red Title Confirmed to be Assassin's Creed Shadows Ahead of Wednesday Trailer Release".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 17, 2024.RetrievedMay 13,2024.
  17. ^West, Josh; Gould-Wilson, Jasmine; Wald, Heather (November 7, 2022)."Assassin's Creed Red: Everything we know so far about Assassin's Creed Shadows".gamesradar.Archivedfrom the original on March 21, 2023.RetrievedMay 13,2024.
  18. ^"Assassin's Creed - Ubisoft Quebec takes lead on feudal Japan-set 'Assassin's Creed Shadows'".Ottawa City News Everywhere.May 15, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on May 21, 2024.RetrievedMay 21,2024.
  19. ^"Assassin's Creed Shadows Launches November 15, Features Dual Protagonists in Feudal Japan".Ubisoft. May 15, 2024.Archivedfrom the original on May 17, 2024.RetrievedMay 15,2024.
  20. ^"Assassin's Creed: Shadows is coming to your iPad and Mac".iMore. June 11, 2024.RetrievedJune 11,2024.
  21. ^abcLee, Chantelle (May 16, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Fans Slam Decision to Include Black Samurai in Feudal Japan Story".Time.Archivedfrom the original on May 19, 2024.RetrievedMay 19,2024.
  22. ^Murray, Conor."Upcoming 'Assassin's Creed' Game Attacked As 'Woke' Over Black Samurai Protagonist—But It's Based On A Real Black Warrior".Forbes.RetrievedJune 7,2024.
  23. ^Kim, Matt (May 17, 2024)."Let's Not Pretend We're Mad the New Assassin's Creed Shadows Samurai Isn't Asian".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2024.RetrievedMay 19,2024.
  24. ^Ng, Curtis (May 15, 2024)."Ubisoft Quebec takes lead on feudal Japan-set 'Assassin's Creed Shadows'".The Canadian Press.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2024.RetrievedMay 21,2024.
  25. ^Scullion, Chris (June 13, 2024)."Assassin's Creed Shadows dev explains why he ignored Elon Musk's 'DEI kills art' tweet".Video Games Chronicle.
  26. ^"Assassin's Creed Shadows dev explains why he ignored Elon Musk's 'DEI kills art' tweet".VGC.June 13, 2024.RetrievedJune 20,2024.

External links[edit]

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