A new gameplay video from Assassin's Creed Shadows has recently emerged, giving players their first glimpse of Kyoto from a synchronization viewpoint. Shared by the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, the footage features protagonist Naoe scaling a rooftop to unveil a sweeping view of the city. However, fans have noted that Kyoto appears smaller than anticipated, which has ignited discussions about its design and functionality.
Reddit users commenting on the video have lauded the aesthetics of Kyoto but expressed concerns about key elements of the Assassin's Creed series, particularly the climbing and parkour mechanics. The footage suggests that the city might not provide ample opportunities for free-running, resulting in varied reactions from the community.
Some of the comments reflect these concerns:
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 scheduled 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 more information on how the game will incorporate the series' iconic mechanics into this distinctive historical setting. While Kyoto may emphasize authenticity over dynamic traversal, the true balance between its visual appeal and gameplay will only be revealed with time.
