Assassin’s Creed Shadows Movements Reviewed by Two Parkour Athletes

Assassin's Creed Mirage's parkour realism was put to the test by two professional parkour athletes. Discover their insights into the game's portrayal of parkour and Ubisoft's meticulous recreation of Feudal Japan.

Assassin's Creed Mirage: A Parkour Reality Check

A Parkour "Hate Crime"?

In a recent PC Gamer Reality Check video (March 15th), Toby Segar and Benj Cave of the UK parkour team STORROR offered their expert opinions on Assassin's Creed Mirage's parkour, comparing it to previous entries in the series. Both athletes, also creators of the parkour game STORROR Parkour Pro, are fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Segar highlighted a scene where protagonist Yasuke uses a "knee-drop" climbing technique, labeling it a "hate crime against parkour." This move, placing significant weight on the knee, is considered impractical and potentially injurious in real-life parkour.

Cave further noted unrealistic aspects, such as climbing impossible structures and effortlessly balancing on narrow ledges. He emphasized the stark contrast between in-game parkour and the real-world discipline, stating, "In real parkour, you check, you measure, you prep—it's a much slower, more deliberate process." The game's depiction of seemingly endless stamina also drew criticism.

While acknowledging the inherent fictional nature of the game, Ubisoft's commitment to realistic parkour is evident. Game Director Charles Benoit (IGN interview, January) cited parkour refinement as a key reason for the game's delayed release.

Recreating Feudal Japan

Beyond the gameplay, Ubisoft's dedication to historical accuracy shines through the game's "Cultural Discovery" feature (Ubisoft website, March 18th). As explained by Ubisoft Editorial Comms Manager Chastity Vicencio, this in-game codex provides detailed historical, artistic, and cultural insights into the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Feudal Japan. Created with the assistance of historians and featuring museum artifacts, this encyclopedia boasts over 125 entries at launch, surpassing the scope of AC Mirage's "History of Baghdad" feature.

However, realizing this vision presented significant challenges (The Guardian interview, March 17th). Developers shared the complexities of accurately depicting Feudal Japan, including nuances like the unique way light interacts with Japan's mountainous terrain. Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté highlighted the long-standing desire within Ubisoft to create a Japan-set Assassin's Creed game, noting the extensive research and development involved, including trips to Kyoto and Osaka. Creative Director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the team's commitment to accuracy, collaborating with historians and meticulously referencing real-world locations.

Despite these obstacles, the team's dedication has resulted in a richly detailed recreation of Feudal Japan. Coté concluded, "The expectations have been this high throughout. It’s been a challenge."

Assassin's Creed Mirage launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates!