Assassin's Creed Shadows Kyoto Revealed: Is the City Built for Parkour?

A recently surfaced gameplay video from Assassin's Creed Shadows offers fans an exciting glimpse into the game's rendition of Kyoto, viewed from a synchronization point. The footage, courtesy of the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, features protagonist Naoe scaling a rooftop to unveil a panoramic view of the city. Despite the stunning visuals, the size of Kyoto has sparked discussions within the community, as it appears smaller than many fans anticipated.

Reddit users have taken to the platform to share their thoughts on the video, particularly focusing on the game's core mechanics—climbing and parkour. While the aesthetics of Kyoto received praise, some expressed disappointment regarding the potential limitations on free-running opportunities. The community's feedback reflects a mix of admiration and concern:

Isn't Kyoto supposed to be about half the size of Paris from Unity? Don't get me wrong, it looks beautiful, and exploring it will definitely be enjoyable, but I was hoping for at least one densely populated city designed for parkour.

It looks great, but it's disappointing that we might be limited to restricted parkour instead of full-on freerunning. Hopefully, the grappling hook will make up for it.

Looks nice, but there aren't enough structures for proper parkour.

While it's visually appealing, it doesn't quite feel like a city. I'm sure it's historically accurate, but it seems lacking when it comes to parkour potential.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. As the launch date approaches, the community remains eager for further details on how the iconic mechanics of the series will mesh with the historical setting of Kyoto. While the city's design may lean more towards authenticity than extensive parkour, fans are hopeful that Ubisoft will strike a harmonious balance between visual splendor and engaging gameplay.