A new gameplay video for Assassin's Creed Shadows has recently been released, providing fans with their first glimpse of Kyoto from a synchronization viewpoint. The footage, shared by the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, features protagonist Naoe scaling a rooftop to unveil a panoramic view of the city. However, some fans have noted that Kyoto appears smaller than anticipated, igniting discussions about its design and how it will function within the game.
On platforms like Reddit, users have expressed their admiration for Kyoto's visual appeal but have also voiced concerns regarding key elements of the Assassin's Creed series, particularly the climbing and parkour mechanics. Observations from the video suggest that the city might not provide ample opportunities for free-running, which has led to a mix of reactions within the community.
Here are some sentiments shared by Reddit users:
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 slated for release on March 20, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. As the launch date approaches, the community is keenly awaiting further details on how the game will incorporate the series' iconic mechanics into this unique historical setting. While Kyoto may focus more on authenticity than on action-packed traversal, it remains to be seen whether the developers have successfully struck a balance between aesthetics and gameplay.
