Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been a massive success, and one of the key factors contributing to its widespread praise is its immaculate attention to detail. While we often don’t think about the rooftops, bushes, and the general architecture when we are in the heat of combat or trying to execute an assassination target, they do play a crucial role in shaping our experience.
In Shadows, Ubisoft took this element of the game to a whole new level, particularly to the rooftops. Developers wanted to create an authentic world where every detail mattered, highlighting that it’s these small details that add to the experience.
And the reason behind this surprising emphasis on rooftops? Well, it might just blow your mind.
The importance of rooftops in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players will spend much of their time as Assassins (Naoe), running, jumping, and hiding across rooftops as they navigate feudal Japan to pursue their next target or simply navigate.
While this may sound like typical design choices for a game known for stealth and parkour, Ubisoft’s approach towards rooftops went beyond simple navigation.
In an interview with iPhoneinCanada, Thierry Dansereau, the game’s Art Director, explained that the main goal was to make rooftops more than just a means of getting from one place to another.
The rooftops are a key element for navigation. So, we paid a lot of attention […] Our goal was to push the immersion level to another level.
But developers wanted to make them more than just fun to run across. They wanted to ensure that the rooftops felt dynamic and connected to the world around them. This included tying them to the changing seasons and the different climates in the game.
Each province is known for its unique weather, and the developers used that knowledge to create immersive, season-specific gameplay. For instance, in the winter season, it’s typical to see icicles formed across rooftops. But if a player stepped on one, it would drop and alert nearby guards.
This small detail added another layer of immersion to the gameplay, showing every movement, even the subtle creaks, the crunch of snow underfoot, or the sound of falling ice can mean the difference between alerting the guards or taking them out in style.
Ubisoft pushed immersion to the next level
While there are still a few elements in the game that need work, we have to also give credit to Ubisoft where it is due, as the world feels very beautiful and authentic. The level of focus placed on every aspect of the game shows the dedication of the developer in bringing this world to life.
For example, the seasonal changes in the game world aren’t just cosmetic, they actually affect gameplay. Whether it’s the effects of weather on the environment or how different areas change as the seasons shift, these factors create a more immersive experience.
What this approach highlights is Ubisoft’s commitment to creating an authentic, living world, one where even the smallest design choices, like rooftops, contribute to the larger experience.
So, the next time you’re jumping across a rooftop or avoiding a guard on the lookout, remember that these details are more than just gameplay mechanics; they’re an integral part of what makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows such a compelling experience.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
