The upcoming Assassin’s Creed game – Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is set within Feudal Japan, specifically 1579. The time period is one of the most requested in Assassin’s Creed sixteen-year-long series, and one that was initially believed to be almost impossible for the team according to Alex Hutchinson, the creative director of Assassin’s Creed III. However, among Feudal Japan, Ancient Egypt was also mentioned as a difficult environment to recreate for the series, but Assassin’s Creed Origins seemed to put that to bed. Now Shadows seems prepared to bring Feudal Japan to life.
Similarly to Origins, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature rather impressive map. The maps seem to indicate it will be parts of the Kansai region, which includes Kiyoto, Kobe, and Osaka, the second most populated region of modern Japan. Apparently this map will be comparable to Origins’ Ancient Egypt. The game’s map included a large portion of Ancient Egypt – from Alexandria down to Hermopolis, near the border between Upper and Lower Egypt. It was then expanded with two DLC adding in a map of Sinai, as well as the Valley of the Kings, which included Thebes. Overall a massive area to get lost in.
This size serves a purpose though according to creative director Jonathon Dumont and game director Charles Benoit. Dumont asserted that this size was to allow the true topography of the region to carry its weight. He “really wanted the mountains to feel like mountains” and considering some of the mountains around the Kansai region, the map is sure to cover a lot of vertical area. Charles Benoit noted the importance of the space for both the mountains and geography, as well as the castles. Each castle is “a level designed by itself” almost like a pseudo dungeon. This size and scale will definitely give players a lot to do as they explore this open world.
Seasonal change will also be present within this world, and with changing seasons come different paths and modes of stealth. Ponds that can be hidden in, freeze over in winter. Grass that grows tall enough to hide in during spring, is gone with the autumn. A dynamic environment that encourages players to experiment, and means that most players will be playing a unique experience, as the season they play in determines their adventure.
More information will be available about Assassin’s Creed Shadows soon, with possibilities of an appearance during the Ubisoft Forward on June 10th very possible.