A new gameplay video for Assassin's Creed Shadows has emerged, providing fans with their first glimpse of Kyoto from a synchronization viewpoint. The video, shared by the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, features protagonist Naoe climbing a rooftop to unveil a sweeping view of the city. However, the size of Kyoto appears smaller than anticipated, igniting conversations among the community about its design and functionality.
Reddit users who engaged with the post have lauded the visual appeal of the setting but expressed concerns over core elements of the Assassin's Creed series, particularly the climbing and parkour mechanics. The footage suggests that Kyoto might not provide ample opportunities for free-running, resulting in varied reactions from fans.
Here are some comments from the community:
Isn't Kyoto supposed to be about half the size of Paris from Unity? Don't get me wrong, it looks beautiful, and exploring it will definitely be enjoyable, but I was hoping for at least one densely populated city designed for parkour.
It looks great, but it's disappointing that we might be limited to restricted parkour instead of full-on freerunning. Hopefully, the grappling hook will make up for it.
Looks nice, but there aren't enough structures for proper parkour.
While it's visually appealing, it doesn't quite feel like a city. I'm sure it's historically accurate, but it seems lacking when it comes to parkour potential.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is scheduled for release on March 20, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. As the launch date approaches, enthusiasts are keenly awaiting further insights into how the series' iconic mechanics will mesh with this distinctive historical backdrop. While Kyoto may focus more on historical accuracy than on action-packed traversal, it remains to be seen whether the developers have successfully balanced aesthetics with gameplay.