For years, enthusiasts have been vocal about their desire for an Assassin’s Creed installment set in the mesmerizing era of Feudal Japan. Their patience is finally yielding results with the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which is scheduled to drop in just over a month. The promotional material surrounding this game indicates that Ubisoft is fully embracing this long-anticipated setting.
Marking the first dual-protagonist feature since 2015’s Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Shadows introduces players to Naoe and Yasuke. While Yasuke is characterized by his brute strength and preference for heavy weaponry, Naoe offers a contrasting archetype, making use of stealth tactics and a variety of Assassin gadgets. Notably, Naoe’s skill set includes advanced parkour capabilities, allowing her to deftly navigate environments and execute maneuvers that highlight her shinobi heritage.
How Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ New Parkour Mechanics Enhance Naoe’s Character
Naoe Will Truly Feel Like a “Parkour Master”
Ubisoft has described Naoe as a “true parkour master,” and her agility surpasses that of any previous protagonist in the Assassin’s Creed series. With an array of specialized parkour features exclusive to her character, players can expect unprecedented fluidity and precision in movement.
The familiar ‘parkour down’ mechanic is back, now more intuitive than ever. To use this, players simply press the dodge button (mapped to “B/Circle”) to swiftly descend buildings. At non-lethal heights, pressing the dodge button in conjunction with directional inputs allows Naoe to perform a stylish front-flip that guarantees a safe landing.
Ubisoft’s recent updates also highlight Naoe as the fastest Assassin yet, equipped with a unique Sprint Dodge ability. At full sprint, players can dive forward, deftly avoiding ranged attacks and leaping over low obstacles. Additionally, her Automatic Passover skill enables Naoe to seamlessly maneuver over obstacles while sprinting, showcasing her advanced athleticism.
A groundbreaking feature is Naoe’s new physics-based grappling hook, which enhances traversal and expands gameplay options. This allows players to swing from designated anchor points and grasp ledges above, elevating her parkour capabilities to new heights.
Although Yasuke can also utilize parkour mechanics, he lacks the speed and abilities that define Naoe’s play style, making her a distinctive choice for players focused on agility.
Merging Stealth and Parkour Mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Mastery of parkour is only one facet of Naoe’s shinobi skill set. She also possesses a range of stealth abilities that integrate smoothly with her parkour maneuvers.
Traversing rooftops, though typically advantageous, carries new risks in Shadows. The introduction of “parkour up”movements can create noise that might alert enemies. Players can manage this new challenge by adopting various stances, either crouched or prone, to minimize sound. Additionally, performing an Igan Recovery Roll upon landing can further reduce noise, adding a tactical layer to gameplay.
This innovative control over sound during parkour enhances the stealth experience, challenging players to think strategically, thereby setting Naoe apart from her predecessors in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
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