Assassin’s Creed Shadows is undergoing major changes to its stealth mechanics, offering players the option of insta-kill assassinations on all enemies. Ubisoft revealed that stronger enemies could resist assassination attempts, but players can now use a specific menu option for insta-kills to overcome this challenge.
Associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois emphasized the importance of investing in perks that increase assassination damage and experimenting with different strategies. He explained that while some enemies may survive frontal assassinations, they could be taken down with a sneaky air assassination.
In addition to the revamped assassination system, the game introduces a new Observe mechanic for both protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe. This feature allows players to identify targets, tag enemies, and locate lootable stashes, enhancing the stealth gameplay experience.
Unlike previous games in the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows does not include a bird companion. Instead, players can rely on Eagle Vision and the ability to hide in shadows for complete invisibility. Naoe, the shinobi character, is particularly adept at utilizing darkness to gain an advantage over enemies.
Players will also have the option to go prone, reducing visibility and enabling strategic maneuvering. Naoe’s ability to roll in multiple directions while prone and her small stature allow for agile and effective stealth tactics.
While Naoe’s gameplay leans heavily towards stealth, Yasuke’s playstyle offers a blend of stealth and direct combat, with a focus on his bow skills. Ubisoft teased that more details about Yasuke’s abilities would be revealed in a future blog post.
The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed until February 2025 to ensure a high-quality player experience. The game will feature free battle pass rewards in the Animus Hub, providing players with regular content and missions at no additional cost.
Overall, the revamped stealth mechanics and insta-kill option in Assassin’s Creed Shadows promise to deliver a fresh and engaging gameplay experience for fans of the series. Stay tuned for more updates on the game’s development and features in the coming months.