Fans of *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* have expressed concerns over the game’s expansive storyline and abundance of side content, often finding it overwhelming. In response, Ubisoft has restructured its approach with *Shadows*, aiming for a more streamlined and focused experience. The game will feature a tighter narrative structure, shorter travel times, and a more balanced blend of story-driven missions and optional activities.

Shorter Campaign, Richer Experience

According to game director Charles Benoit, the main campaign of *Assassin's Creed: Shadows* is expected to take around 50 hours to complete. For players who wish to explore every region and finish all available side quests, the total playtime could reach approximately 100 hours. This marks a significant reduction compared to *Valhalla*, which required at least 60 hours for the core story and up to 150 hours for full completion including all expansions and extra content.

Ubisoft aims to keep the world immersive while making it less overwhelming by trimming down excessive side content. The goal is to maintain depth and richness in storytelling without burdening players with endless tasks. As a result, those who enjoy deep narratives can finish the game without feeling pressured to invest hundreds of hours, while completionists still have plenty to explore.

A Journey to Japan: Authenticity and Detail

In an effort to bring authenticity to *Shadows*, the development team traveled to Japan to conduct in-depth research. This firsthand experience significantly influenced the game's design, especially regarding historical accuracy, environmental detail, and cultural immersion. Game director Jonathan Dumont shared how striking it was to witness locations previously only seen through books or films.

We were genuinely surprised by the scale of castles, the layered beauty of mountainous landscapes, and the density of forests. The sheer size of these ancient fortresses made us rethink our approach to realism and visual fidelity. We realized that achieving true immersion would require much more attention to detail than we originally planned.

A More Natural World Design

One of the most noticeable changes in *Shadows* is the shift in world geography. Unlike the densely packed points of interest found in *Assassin's Creed Odyssey*, *Shadows* introduces a more open and naturally spaced environment. Traveling between locations now takes longer, but each destination offers deeper, more nuanced exploration opportunities.

This change allows players to appreciate the landscape and atmosphere without constant interruptions. According to Dumont, this refined design results in a higher level of detail throughout the game world. Each setting feels more authentic and richly crafted, helping to fully immerse players in the traditional ambiance of feudal Japan.