Assassin’s Creed Shadowswill be an important release for not just theACfranchise, but Ubisoft as a whole.Ubisoft’s reputation and identity as a studiohas been fraught with controversy and wildly varying opinions over the last few years, as unpopular design choices have been viewed in an even worse light thanks to rampant microtransactions and unpolished final releases, not to mention the many reports of workplace misconduct, which have soured the company’s products in the eyes of many players.
It would only be a start, butAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas the potential to win back some of Ubisoft’s lost good will with audiences. One of the ways that Ubisoft is trying to meet players halfway is through the recently announced Canon Mode, which will allow players to cede control over dialog choices to the game itself. According to Ubisoft, this decision has been made with the intention of appeasing those who haven’t been sold onAssassin’s Creed’s hard shift into the action-RPG genre, giving them the choice to have an experience more akin to the classic, traditionally presentedAssassin’s Creednarratives. How well this feature works in practice remains to be seen, but it could definitely be a step in the right direction when it comes to addressing one of the franchise’s biggest problems.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Canon Mode Could Improve the Series' Bloat Issue
Assassin’s Creed Has Become Increasingly Unwieldy
When it comes to accusations of filler content and quantity over quality, perhaps no developer has caught as much heat as Ubisoft. There’s good reason for these criticisms:Ubisoft’s open-world franchises, especiallyAssassin’s CreedandFar Cry, have swelled to ludicrous sizes, with much of their in-game activities being built on either shaky or repetitive foundation.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallais arguably the pinnacle of these issues. With a main campaign that can take well over 70 hours to complete, and with very little in the way of mechanical variety during the course of those 70 hours, the experience can quickly become more of a burden than anything else. Copy and paste side content, an arduous progression creep designed—at least in part—to encourage the purchase of “time savers,” and loads of inconsequential narrative tangents combine to makeValhallathe definition of an oversized game for many. Such dizzying size undermines its strengths, and the same criticism can be leveled againstOdysseyand, to a lesser extent,Origins, and Ubisoft would be wise to take this into consideration for future entries.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Canon Mode Could Be a Good Compromise
Having said all that, there are absolutely players who enjoy the amount of content on offer in these newerAssassin’s Creedgames. These players may argue that the content, while perhaps repetitive, is still fun, and therefore more of it can only be a good thing. Indeed, for a completionist, something likeAssassin’s Creed Valhallamay prove particularly satisfying(or torturous) due to the sheer amount of “stuff” to get stuck into.
That’s why something likeAC Shadows' Canon Modefeature could work well to satisfy both ends of the spectrum. Those seeking a more bespoke and straightforward experience ala the EzioAssassin’s Creedgames can get an approximation of that, while those who appreciate the series' newfound scale could still have the option to dig into the quasi-RPG elements. Stretching the concept of Canon Mode beyond its currently planned implementation, Ubisoft could theoretically offer the same compromise for other elements of the game, such as side activities, shrinking the amount of content on offer while tweaking progression proportionally. This could perhaps result in games that are more concise without losing their richness of content, while still leaving the door open for those who want to invest upwards of 100 hours in the world ofAssassin’s Creed.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
