Assassin’s Creed Shadows Introduces Enhanced Parkour Mechanics

Ubisoft has unveiled significant updates to the parkour mechanics in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows, set to release on February 14, 2025. The game, which takes place in Feudal Japan, introduces new movement features, including dodge mechanics integrated into parkour, a physics-based grappling hook, and refined animations for smoother traversal.

According to Simon Lemay-Comtois, Associate Game Director of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the team focused on enhancing the parkour experience to make it more dynamic and strategic. “Dodge has been merged with parkour down mechanics, unlocking a whole bunch of new parkour moves,” Lemay-Comtois explained. “This new mapping also disconnects stance-switch from parkour, ensuring players can use any stance without accidentally going down a rooftop when they don’t want to.”

Players will control two protagonists: Naoe, a nimble shinobi, and Yasuke, a heavier, more combat-focused samurai. Naoe’s parkour abilities include sprint dodges, wall runs, and grappling hook swings, while Yasuke relies on brute strength to break through obstacles. The game also introduces prone movement, allowing characters to slide or roll into stealthy positions.

One of the standout features is the grappling hook, which extends Naoe’s vertical reach and enables her to swing across large gaps. The physics-based system ensures the grappling hook feels like a natural extension of her parkour flow. “We worked hard to ensure that the physics of our grappling hook make it a natural part of Naoe’s overall parkour flow,” Lemay-Comtois said.

In addition to urban environments like Kyoto and Osaka Castle, the game features hidden parkour paths in nature, including tree climbing and rock scaling. These paths offer a different kind of challenge compared to the densely populated cities.

Ubisoft also emphasized the importance of sound in parkour. High-profile jumps and landings generate noise, alerting nearby guards, while low-profile landings allow for stealthier approaches. The Igan Recovery Roll, a new mechanic, lets players soften landings and reduce noise when jumping from great heights.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Ubisoft Connect. Fans of the series can look forward to a more immersive and strategic parkour experience when the game launches next year.