Parkour Athletes Review Assassin’s Creed Shadows Movements

Discover how Assassin’s Creed Shadows' parkour mechanics measure up to real-life standards as two professional parkour athletes provide their insights. Learn about the game's commitment to realism and how Ubisoft brings Feudal Japan to life in this highly anticipated title.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gearing Up For Its Release

Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Parkour: A Reality Check

In a recent Reality Check video by PC Gamer on March 15, two UK-based parkour athletes from team STORROR, Toby Segar and Benj Cave, offered their expert analysis on the parkour realism in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Both avid fans of the series, they are also working on their own game, STORROR Parkour Pro, which focuses on authentic parkour movements.

During the video, Segar highlighted a particular scene where the protagonist Yasuke performs what he termed a "hate crime against parkour." He was referring to Yasuke's use of an "alpine knee" to ascend a ledge, a move considered impractical in parkour due to the potential for knee injury from bearing the full body weight.

Cave also critiqued other aspects of the game's parkour, such as climbing structures without ledges and balancing on tightropes. He pointed out the unrealistic portrayal of the protagonist's endless endurance, stating, "In parkour, no one ever just runs and commits to stuff without looking. In real life, you check, you measure, you prep, and it’s such a slower process."

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fictional game, Ubisoft has made significant efforts to enhance the realism of its parkour mechanics. In an IGN interview in January, AC Shadows Game Director Charles Benoit explained that the game's release was delayed to refine these mechanics further.

Immersing Players in Feudal Japan

Beyond its parkour, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to transport players to the historical setting of Feudal Japan. Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio, in a post on March 18, described the "Cultural Discovery" feature, part of the in-game Codex, which offers over 125 entries on the history, art, and culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period at launch. These entries, crafted by historians and illustrated with images from museums and institutions, promise a deep dive into the era.

Bringing this historical period to life has not been without challenges. In a March 17 interview with The Guardian, Ubisoft's developers shared their struggles and dedication. Ubisoft Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté discussed the long-standing interest in setting a 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?"

Ubisoft Creative Director Johnathan Dumont emphasized the extensive efforts to authentically recreate Feudal Japan, including collaborations with historians and trips to Kyoto and Osaka. Despite technical challenges, such as accurately simulating the unique lighting in Japanese mountains, the team's commitment to capturing Japan's essence has been unwavering. Coté noted, "The expectations have been this high throughout. It’s been a challenge."

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest developments on Assassin’s Creed Shadows by checking out our related articles.