A recently released gameplay video from Assassin's Creed Shadows has given fans a tantalizing glimpse of Kyoto, captured through the eyes of protagonist Naoe as he scales a rooftop. Shared by the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, the footage showcases the city's expansive beauty but has sparked discussions due to its smaller-than-expected size.
On Reddit, fans have been vocal about their impressions. While many praised Kyoto's aesthetics, there's a notable concern about the game's core mechanics, particularly climbing and parkour. Observers noted that the city may not provide the extensive free-running opportunities that the Assassin's Creed series is known for, leading to mixed reactions within the community.
Here are some sentiments from 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, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. As the launch date approaches, the community remains eager for further insights into how the series' iconic mechanics will blend with this unique historical setting. While Kyoto may focus more on authenticity than on action-packed traversal, fans are hopeful that the developers have struck a balance between visual allure and engaging gameplay.