The *Assassin’s Creed* franchise has long been celebrated for its deep cultural immersion and historical storytelling. With the release of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Ubisoft is pushing the envelope further by transporting players to 16th Century Japan like never before. A major part of that experience lies in the game’s new “Immersive Mode.” Here’s everything you need to know about how it enhances your journey through feudal Japan.
What Does Immersive Mode Do in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In most entries of the *Assassin’s Creed* series, characters speak in modern, localized languages, even if the setting is historically rich and culturally specific. While *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* largely follows this trend, it introduces a groundbreaking feature with its **Immersive Mode**—a setting designed to elevate authenticity and deepen player immersion.
When Immersive Mode is enabled, characters will only speak in the language they would have used historically. For the majority of the game, this means dialogue will be delivered in Japanese. However, there are moments where Portuguese is also heard—specifically when interacting with Jesuit missionaries or when Yasuke, the African samurai, communicates with them. This linguistic shift reflects the real-world historical presence of European traders and missionaries in Japan during the Sengoku period.
This mode aims to make the world feel more grounded and authentic, drawing players deeper into the culture and history of the era. While previous games allowed limited immersion—like switching to Arabic voiceovers in *Assassin’s Creed Mirage*—Immersive Mode represents a significant leap forward in Ubisoft’s commitment to historical fidelity.
Should You Turn On Immersive Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The primary trade-off of using Immersive Mode is that you’ll miss out on the English voice cast, which many fans have grown accustomed to over the years. That said, the Japanese and Portuguese voice acting teams deliver powerful, emotionally resonant performances that bring the characters to life in a new and compelling way.
Thankfully, the game offers comprehensive subtitle support, allowing you to follow along with every line of dialogue in your preferred language. Whether you’re fluent in Japanese or not, you won’t miss a beat thanks to clear, well-timed subtitles.
Another benefit is flexibility: unlike Canon Mode, which locks you into a one-life-playthrough challenge, Immersive Mode can be toggled on or off at any time from the audio settings menu. All you need to do is reload your last save, and the change will take effect. This makes it easy to test the mode without any long-term commitment.
If you're looking to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and authenticity of 16th Century Japan, Immersive Mode is an excellent choice. It transforms the game from a historical adventure into a living, breathing experience. And given its success here, we’d love to see it become a staple feature in future *Assassin’s Creed* titles.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
