AC: Shadows Campaign: Intense, Shorter, Packed with Meaningful Locations

Fans of *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* have voiced concerns about the game's extensive storyline and plethora of optional tasks. Ubisoft has listened and is making significant changes with *Assassin's Creed Shadows*. The game's director, Charles Benoit, has revealed that the main campaign of Shadows will take approximately 50 hours to complete. For those eager to explore every corner and complete all side quests, the total playtime will extend to around 100 hours. In contrast, completing Valhalla's main story took at least 60 hours, with full completion stretching to 150 hours. Ubisoft aims to streamline the experience in Shadows, focusing on a more balanced mix of narrative and optional content to avoid overwhelming players, while still preserving the depth and richness of the game's world.

This approach caters to both players who crave in-depth gameplay without sacrificing quality for brevity, and those who prefer a more focused narrative without committing to hundreds of hours of playtime. Game director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the team's commitment to authenticity, detailing how a research trip to Japan profoundly influenced the development of Shadows. The scale of castles, the layered mountain landscapes, and the dense forests were unexpected revelations that led the team to prioritize realism and attention to detail in the game's design.

One of the major shifts in *Assassin's Creed Shadows* is the more realistic representation of world geography. Players will now travel longer distances between points of interest, allowing for a more immersive experience of the open landscapes. Unlike *Assassin's Creed Odyssey*, where points of interest were often closely packed, Shadows will feature a more natural and expansive world. As players journey through this meticulously crafted environment, each location will offer a richer and more detailed experience. Dumont highlighted that the increased attention to detail in Shadows will allow players to fully immerse themselves in the authentic Japanese atmosphere.