AC: Shadows breakdown: campaign will be more intense but shorter, with ton of meaningful locations

Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive gameplay drew criticism, prompting Ubisoft to refine the experience in its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed: Shadows. Feedback regarding the length of the main plot and the sheer volume of optional tasks has been addressed.

Game director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline in Shadows will take approximately 50 hours, while full completion, including exploration and side quests, is estimated at 100 hours. This is a significant reduction compared to Valhalla, which required at least 60 hours for a standard playthrough and up to 150 hours for complete game completion.

Ubisoft has prioritized a more balanced ratio of narrative and optional activities, aiming to reduce player overwhelm without sacrificing world richness or narrative depth. The goal is to provide a less tedious experience while maintaining high-quality gameplay. Players seeking extensive gameplay won't be forced to compromise on content for a shorter playtime, and those focused on the story can complete it without an excessive time commitment.

Director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the impact of the team's research trip to Japan. The scale of the castles, mountainous terrain, and dense forests profoundly influenced the game's development, leading to a focus on enhanced realism and detail.

This realism extends to world geography. Travel times between points of interest will be longer, reflecting the open landscapes, but each location will feature increased detail and nuance. Unlike Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Shadows avoids densely packed points of interest, creating a more natural and expansive world. Dumont emphasizes the significantly higher level of detail, promising a truly immersive Japanese atmosphere.