Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Promising Stealth Mechanics Yet Lacks One Key Element

The upcoming title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is set to tackle and potentially resolve several longstanding issues that have plagued the franchise. Ubisoft’s initiative to innovate, particularly with its well-established series, is commendable. While previous installments delivered enjoyable experiences, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to recapture the essence of stealth gameplay that many fans have been yearning for.

Although it remains uncertain if Shadows will single-handedly revitalize Ubisoft, its enhanced approach to stealth makes it a noteworthy addition to the series. This new entry not only revisits the stealth mechanics that initially defined Assassin’s Creed but also introduces a variety of fresh features that promise to elevate the gaming experience. Yet, amidst these exciting improvements, one crucial stealth element is notably absent, which could transform the game from merely great to outstanding.

Innovative Stealth Mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Enhancing the Gameplay Experience

Eagle Vision in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Prone Assassination mechanics in Shadows

In Shadows, players can expect a host of new stealth mechanics designed to enrich gameplay for Naoe and bring the franchise back to its stealth-oriented roots. One significant enhancement is the dynamic lighting system, which allows Naoe to utilize shadows effectively as cover from enemies. She can darken areas by extinguishing sources of light, further enhancing her stealth capabilities under the cloak of night. Additionally, both Naoe and Yasuke are now able to adopt prone positions, alongside traditional crouching techniques.

While these changes may appear minor to enthusiasts of other Ubisoft stealth franchises, like Splinter Cell, they mark crucial advancements for Assassin’s Creed, which has previously lacked such features.The integration of these mechanics makes Shadows the most sophisticated stealth experience yet in the series, a win for dedicated fans. The game will also implement intelligent enemy behavior; for instance, if adversaries lose sight of the player, they will search for them in pairs, with samurai even checking bushes to flush out hidden players.

Moreover, servants can alert nearby guards to the player’s presence, necessitating careful navigation around them. Detection will also be localized, meaning if a group of soldiers spots the player in one area, it won’t automatically trigger a search from units on the opposite side of the locale. This revamp ensures a markedly distinct experience in Assassin’s Creed, shifting the focus from traditional marking and pick-off strategies to a more immersive and dynamic stealth gameplay.

The stealth alterations serve as a key differentiator between the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, with many of the new features primarily benefiting Naoe. While Yasuke may not engage in extinguishing lights or hiding underwater, it does imply that stealth will evolve to be more challenging yet ultimately rewarding in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This aspect certainly appeals to fans who have been craving a return to intricate stealth-centric gameplay. Players can expect the introduction of various skills as well, including the highly desired double assassination.

The Past Stagnation of Stealth in Assassin’s Creed

A Shift Toward Action-Heavy Gameplay

Historical characters from Assassin's Creed series

Historically, stealth was a cornerstone of the Assassin’s Creed series. It was often viewed as the primary gameplay mechanic that players relied on, enabling them to navigate through hostile environments and make stealthy eliminations, true to the franchise’s theme. However, following the series’ transition to an open-world RPG format with titles like Assassin’s Creed Origins, stealth functionalities began to recede into the background. Many fans would argue that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lackluster stealth mechanics marked a notable decline.

This isn’t to say newer games failed to implement valuable additions; the revamped combat systems and expansive open worlds offered enriched historical narratives. Assassin’s Creed Shadows draws considerable inspiration from Odyssey, cherry-picking its best features while discarding less effective elements, like overly expansive worlds. Despite the heightened action-oriented design of recent entries, they have overlooked the core components that originally endeared the franchise to its players.

Ubisoft attempted to reclaim some of this lost identity with Assassin’s Creed Mirage by emphasizing stealth gameplay and presenting a more compact world. Though Mirage successfully introduced classic stealth elements, it ultimately fell short of the anticipated comeback. Similarly, Shadows aims to blend the strengths of Mirage while striving to rectify its shortcomings in stealth gameplay. Although hope arises that Ubisoft is steering Assassin’s Creed back toward its essence, there remains significant potential for Shadows to further enrich its stealth system.

Basim blending into a crowd in Assassin's Creed Mirage

One of the hallmark features of earlier Assassin’s Creed games was social stealth, which allowed players to meld into throngs of moving crowds and enlist allies to divert guards’ attention.This innovative approach enriched gameplay and was integral to the world-building of earlier titles. However, as the games expanded into environments as vast as Odyssey, Ubisoft discarded this mechanic, often substituting it for less effective alternatives.

Ultimately, social stealth made a lackluster return in Mirage, but its implementation left much to be desired. For instance, crowds did not synchronize well with the player’s movements and would frequently lead players toward dead ends. The costly in-game currency required for crowd manipulation rendered the mechanic less viable, while alternatives like mercenaries rarely proved effective due to positioning issues. In essence, social stealth’s revival in Mirage was disappointing.

Yet, its absence in Shadows is felt. Incorporating social stealth could provide Yasuke with improved strategies when confronted with numerous foes or enable Naoe to infiltrate heavily guarded areas undetected. This dimension of gameplay deepened both exploration and stealth, establishing it as a vital element of the series’ identity. Thus, without social stealth, Assassin’s Creed Shadows may boast advanced stealth mechanics, but it still lacks this critical feature that could elevate the experience to its fullest potential.

Source: Assassin JorRaptor/YouTube

Source & Images