Assassin's Creed Shadows' Prologue is a Masterclass in Immersive Storytelling

For a game as cinematic as Assassin's Creed Shadows, the smallest details are leaving the biggest impressions on me. It's a subtle spread of immersive tweaks; while climbing snow-capped cliffs in search of a shrine, the sucking weight of each footstep has me mirroring Naoe's laboured breaths. Marvelling at the sunlight-dappled trees from atop a vantage point is a beautiful sight, but careening off it and stumbling as I find my footing is more charming still. The combined effect is a powerful one.

At just three hours in, I've learned, done, and felt more than I have in any of the best Assassin's Creed games that came before. But not only is Assassin's Creed Shadows a stunning world to experience, it's peppered with mechanical quality-of-life overhauls that I didn't know I'd been missing in past entries.

Experiencing each one during the game's prologue had me almost whooping for joy – so much so, I was very nearly distracted from how explosive of an introduction it is. I've played 40 hours of Assassin's Creed Shadows, and please learn from my biggest mistake and pay attention to Knowledge.

I'll be honest, I couldn't look baby Ezio in the eye while saying this, but Assassin's Creed Shadows has the best prologue and introductory sequence of any Creed game I've ever played. Brute-forcing my way through enemies as Yasuke, his violent hacking, slashing, and wanton destruction of property presented through Ghost of Tsushima-like widescreen action, only to have the perspective shifted from aggressor to aggrieved as my heart shatters into a million pieces.

This is storytelling at its finest – not just a narrative that propels you forward, but an experience that seeps into your bones. The attention to detail in every moment, every decision, and every consequence is truly remarkable.

The Power of Accessibility

But what truly sets Assassin's Creed Shadows apart is its commitment to accessibility. Two features that I've grown to love – auto-follow and pathfinder – are being hailed as game-changers for players with ADHD and those who simply prefer a more relaxed experience.

Auto-follow allows you to seamlessly follow the narrative, without ever feeling like you're missing out on anything essential. Pathfinder, meanwhile, provides a middle ground between fast travel and exploration, giving you the freedom to take your time and enjoy the journey.

These features are not just convenient – they're also deeply immersive. They allow you to focus on the story, rather than getting bogged down in mundane tasks like navigating menus or loading screens.

A New Era of Accessibility

Ubisoft Quebec is leading the charge in accessibility, and Assassin's Creed Shadows is a shining example of what this means in practice. By prioritizing player experience over technical hurdles, they're creating a game that's not just enjoyable but also inclusive.

This is a bold move, one that could have far-reaching consequences for the gaming industry as a whole. It's time to rethink our assumptions about what games should be and who they should be for – and Assassin's Creed Shadows is leading the way.