Two professional parkour athletes put Assassin’s Creed Shadows' movement system to the test. Discover how the game’s parkour mechanics stack up against reality and how Ubisoft authentically recreates Feudal Japan.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Prepares for Launch
Parkour Experts Call Out Unrealistic Moves
In a March 15 PC Gamer feature, STORROR team members Toby Segar and Benj Cave analyzed parkour animations across the Assassin’s Creed series, including Shadows. As developers of their own parkour simulator STORROR Parkour Pro, they highlighted both realistic elements and exaggerated maneuvers.
Segar criticized a particular clip showcasing protagonist Yasuke performing what he jokingly termed a "parkour hate crime" - using his knee improperly to haul himself up a ledge. Known as an "alpine knee" in parkour circles, this technique risks serious injury by concentrating full body weight on one joint.
Cave noted the series' most unrealistic aspect remains characters' superhuman stamina, performing back-to-back strenuous moves without fatigue. "Real parkour involves careful planning and measured movements," he explained. "You never blindly commit to jumps without assessing your path first."
While acknowledging Shadows as fictional entertainment, Ubisoft has prioritized movement authenticity. Game Director Charles Benoit told IGN in January that refining parkour mechanics contributed to the game's delayed release.
Immersing Players in Feudal Japan
Beyond gameplay, Shadows bridges fantasy and history through its "Cultural Discovery" feature. Ubisoft's Chastity Vicencio revealed this interactive encyclopedia includes over 125 historian-vetted entries about Azuchi-Momoyama period art and traditions, complete with museum-curated visuals.
The development team faced significant challenges recreating 16th-century Japan accurately. Executive Producer Marc-Alexis Coté shared with The Guardian how Japan remained a perennial fan request that finally progressed beyond conceptual stages for Shadows.
Creative Director Jonathan Dumont detailed their exhaustive research process, including fieldwork in Kyoto and Osaka. "Capturing Japan's unique mountain lighting alone presented technical hurdles," Coté admitted. "The pressure to deliver has been immense."
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For ongoing updates, follow our latest coverage.
