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 for its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed: Shadows of Japan. Feedback regarding the length and abundance of optional tasks has been addressed. The development team aims for a more streamlined yet immersive experience.

Game director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline of Shadows will take approximately 50 hours, while full completion, including exploration and side quests, is estimated at 100 hours. This contrasts with Valhalla's minimum 60-hour main story and potential 150-hour full completion. Ubisoft's focus is on a more balanced ratio of narrative content and optional activities, aiming to avoid overwhelming players while preserving the richness of the game world.

The goal is to provide a satisfying experience for both players who prefer a comprehensive playthrough and those who prioritize the main story. Neither group should feel forced to sacrifice quality or time commitment.

Jonathan Dumont, another game director, highlighted the impact of the team's research trip to Japan. The scale and detail of the Japanese landscape, from castles to mountain ranges, profoundly influenced the game's development. This led to a greater emphasis on realism and meticulous detail in world design.

Shadows will feature a more realistic geographical representation. Travel times between points of interest will be longer, reflecting the vastness of the open world. However, each location will be significantly more detailed and nuanced, offering a richer and more immersive experience compared to the denser point-of-interest distribution seen in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Dumont emphasizes the significantly enhanced level of detail in Shadows, promising a truly authentic Japanese atmosphere.