Summary
For a while now, shaking up a few of the core principles and features that catapulted theAssassin’s Creedfranchise into an elite status in the gaming community. Most notably, the switch from the early games' traditional stealth premise in favor of modern RPG elements in its newer editions divided public opinion - a drastic paradigm shift that revealed cracks in the wall in the developer’s strategy. However, the mechanics of the recently revealedAssassin’s Creed Shadowsseem to pick up from whereMirageleft off, heralding a stylistic change in Ubisoft’s approach.AC Shadows' premiere trailerteased a return to the pronounced focus on the stealth dynamic, and if the trend continues, future titles could yet benefit from the originalAssassin’s Creedfabric.
While Yasuke’s role as one ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsprotagonists went viral and grabbed all the headlines, finer aspects of the upcoming title’s formative elements flew relatively under the radar amidst the focus on Ubisoft’s main character choice. Yasuke and Naoe,Shadows' leading acts, present the two eras of the developer’s strategy – with the shinobi taking on the classic clandestine role, while Yasuke continues the modern RPG legacyAssassin’s Creedhas tried to build in recent years. Naoe’s presence in this capacity andShadows' teased stealth mechanics show Ubisoft’s return to the drawing board, and this trend reversal could be a good omen for future games in the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Brings Stealth Back to the Forefront
Although variety is the spice of life, as the axiom waxes,Assassin’s Creed’s entriessinceBlack Flaghave had to endure waves of criticism for their departure from what made the first few installments tick. For instance,Valhalla(andOdyssey, to an extent) could be completed by applying brute force in most scenarios, a sharp contrast to theSplinter Cell-esque gameplay style gamers had become accustomed to in the likes ofAssassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.Valhalla’s emphasis on melee muted the effect of stealth, and opting for stealth-focused builds felt counterproductive when enemies could easily be overwhelmed in combat.
With complaints about the deviation from the series' fabric increasingly vocal,Mirageyielded to pressure and marked a return to the franchise’s roots. Subtle tweaks to assassination mechanics restored the classic feeling of lurking in the dark and avoiding head-on conflict, and Shadows is following the same playbook, albeit with a few twists.
A Bigger Focus on Stealth in Shadows Could Be a Good Thing for Ubisoft
Traditionally, stealth inAssassin’s Creedhas been predicated on camouflage or hiding behind objects; from weaving around dense crowds to crouching in tall grass.Assassin’s Creed Shadows’stealth systemfeatures a global illumination mechanic, relying on light and darkness to obscure its protagonists from enemy sights. There have been rumors of Naoe being unable to block or parry attacks from enemies. If this proves true,Assassin’s Creed Shadowsencourages using stealth on a scale that makes previous titles look trivial.
Non-lethal takedowns are also coming toShadows, presumably to mute the emphasis on combat that previousAssassin’s Creedtitles featured. This inclusion harps on staying hidden in the shadows – when playing as Naoe at least – as the name implies. Players can temporarily immobilize servants carrying lanterns to ensure areas remain dark enough to hideAC Shadows' protagonists, instead of unrealistically executing every character they encounter.
ValhallaandOdysseyseemed to use the mechanic to merely thin out an enemy location before direct combat, butShadowsis finally putting the horse back before the cart once more. Ubisoft’s decision to pivot to an increased focus on stealth after such a long RPG-focused hiatus may have been influenced by itspositive reception inAssassin’s Creed Mirage, and leaning into the dynamic in future games likeHexewould only serve to further the series' legacy as a primarily covert experience.Shadows' template of lurking in the dark heralds a return to the importance of assassinations, which is what made the franchise so popular in the first place.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting new narrative-driven, open world adventure. 15 years since the first Assassin’s Creed redefined adventure, experience the franchises' trademark parkour and stealth like never before - in Assasin’s Creed Mirage. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows. Become the ultimate assassin.
