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 in its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed: Shadows of Japan. Feedback regarding the length and abundance of optional tasks has been addressed.

Game director Charles Benoit stated the main storyline will take roughly 50 hours, with full completion (including all side quests and exploration) estimated at 100 hours. This contrasts sharply with Valhalla's 60+ hour main story and potential 150+ hour completion time.

Ubisoft aimed to reduce overwhelming optional content in Shadows, creating a more balanced blend of narrative and side activities. The goal is to enhance enjoyment without sacrificing world richness or narrative depth. Players seeking extensive gameplay won't experience a diminished experience, while those prioritizing the story can complete it within a more reasonable timeframe.

Director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the team's research trip to Japan, significantly impacting the game's development. The scale and detail of Japanese castles, mountainous landscapes, and dense forests exceeded expectations, leading to a greater emphasis on realism and detail.

A key change involves world geography. Travel distances between points of interest have increased to emphasize the open world's vastness. However, each location will boast enhanced specificity and nuance, contrasting with Assassin's Creed Odyssey's denser point-of-interest distribution. Travel will be more deliberate, reflecting a more natural and expansive world, while locations themselves are richer and more detailed. Dumont emphasizes Shadows' significantly higher level of detail, promising a truly immersive Japanese experience.