AC: Shadows breakdown: campaign will be more intense but shorter, with ton of meaningful locations

Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive playtime proved divisive, prompting Ubisoft to refine the experience for its upcoming installment, Assassin's Creed: Shadows. Feedback regarding the length of the main storyline and the sheer volume of optional activities has been addressed.

Game director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline of Shadows will take approximately 50 hours, with full completion (including all regions and side quests) estimated at 100 hours. This contrasts with Valhalla's minimum 60-hour main storyline and potential 150-hour full completion.

Ubisoft's focus on streamlining optional content aims to prevent player overwhelm. Shadows will feature a more balanced ratio of narrative progression and optional activities. The developers aim for a less tedious experience without compromising world richness or narrative depth. The goal is to cater to both players who prefer lengthy, detailed gameplay and those who prioritize a focused narrative experience within a reasonable timeframe.

Game director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the team's research trip to Japan as a significant influence on Shadows' development. The scale of Japanese castles, mountainous landscapes, and dense forests exceeded expectations, leading to a commitment to enhanced realism and detail.

One key change involves world geography. Travel times between points of interest will be longer, reflecting the greater distances in open landscapes. However, this increased travel time will be offset by the significantly increased detail and nuance of each location. This contrasts sharply with the more densely populated points of interest found in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The open world of Shadows will feel more natural and expansive, with richer, more detailed locations rewarding exploration. Dumont emphasizes the significantly higher level of detail in Shadows, promising a deeply immersive Japanese atmosphere.