A newly released gameplay video from Assassin's Creed Shadows has given fans their first glimpse of Kyoto from a synchronization viewpoint. The footage, shared by the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, features protagonist Naoe climbing a rooftop to unveil a sweeping view of the city. However, the size of Kyoto appears smaller than many fans had anticipated, leading to widespread discussions about its design and how it will function within the game.
Reddit users who viewed and commented on the video expressed admiration for Kyoto's aesthetics but voiced concerns about key elements of the Assassin's Creed experience, particularly the climbing and parkour mechanics. The video suggests that the city might not provide ample opportunities for free-running, resulting in mixed feedback from the community.
Here are some of the comments reflecting these sentiments:
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, fans are eagerly awaiting further information on how the series' signature mechanics will be integrated into this unique historical setting. While Kyoto may focus more on authenticity than on extensive action-packed traversal, it remains to be seen whether the developers have successfully balanced visual beauty with engaging gameplay.
