Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a run at improving parkour, as Ubisoft strives to make the system less 'like a gas pedal'

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Image for Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a run at improving parkour, as Ubisoft strives to make the system less �like a gas pedal�

Parkour has always been a distinguishing feature of Assassin’s Creed. Hooded figures leaping between rooftops and flinging themselves into conveniently placed haystacks is one of the series’ most consistent visual motifs. But as the games have evolved from historical action-adventures to quasi-RPGs, on-foot traversal has become increasingly sidelined in favour of more elaborate stealth and combat systems, as well as other travel mechanics like riding horses and sailing boats.Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis intent on changing this, however, withUbisoftmaking numerous additions to the hallmark free-running system that had me gradually sitting up in my chair as I read about each one.

Ubisoft’s really focused on the details this time—so much so that Shadows still isn’t quite finished, and isbeing delayed from February to March 20.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Parkour Deep Dive: Dodge to Drop Down - YouTubeWatch On

Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Parkour Deep Dive: Dodge to Drop Down - YouTube

The most notable change is the incorporation of the dodge button into parkour, which unlocks an array of new moves. Dodging near the edge of a rooftop will see Naoe cartwheel off the ledge, landing quietly on her feet. Naoe also has a unique ‘sprint dodge’ ability that lets her dive over objects while dashing and tuck-roll to maintain her momentum. This doesn’t replace the ability to automatically mantle over objects, but sprint dodging provides increased damage protection compared to default horizontal parkour.

Naoe can deploy her grappling hook for a range of additional parkour moves, including the ability to hook onto any rooftop ledge and climb the rope directly, swing across gaps, and run along walls. According to Ubisoft, the grappling hook will be particularly useful on rural “parkour paths” and during castle infiltrations, where extra security may make conventional parkour more challenging.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Stealth Deep Dive: Prone Assassination - YouTubeWatch On

Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Stealth Deep Dive: Prone Assassination - YouTube

All this is intended to make parkour a less passive experience.

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“In our game, holding down the parkour button like a gas pedal is not the optimal way to do parkour,” Shadows’ associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois says. As part of this, Ubisoft has also introduced unclimbable surfaces that will prevent players from squirrelling up certain walls or structures. “This means we had to be more thoughtful about creating interesting parkour highways and afforded us more control about where Naoe can go, and where Yasuke can’t, making our two play styles even more contrasted,” Lemay-Comtois adds.

Given how freewheeling parkour has been historically, the decision to stop players from climbing virtually anywhere is a bold and possibly contentious one. Ubisoft is clearly aware of this, reassuring players that “most of what you’ll see in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still very much climbable.”

Nonetheless, I reckon making parkour less universal and passive, and more active and engaging when you do use it, is a smart way to make the system more relevant in a game that is much mechanically broader than it was once. Certainly, reading this has made my interest in Shadows more active than it was before.

And that’s a good sign, because there’s a lot riding on Assassin’s Creed Shadows—Ubisoft desperately needs a win.

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