Why I Am Struggling To Finish Assassin’s Creed Shadows

by

I just can’t finish Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Let me clarify, I’m really enjoying the game, having invested close to 40 hours into the main story and only three characters from the Shinbakufu remaining on my hunt list. However, as I delve deeper, I keep finding myself reminding of Assassin’s Creed’s persistent issue – there’s an overabundance of tasks to complete.

Since the series transitioned to a role-playing game (RPG) style, the main challenge that’s persisted in Assassin’s Creed has been its tendency to become overly expansive and cumbersome. The world is vast and rich with content, but over time, it can feel overwhelming, making extended play sessions less enjoyable.

In each Assassin’s Creed game following Origins, there appears to be a recurring structure. The beginning is captivating and effectively establishes the historical context. However, instead of maintaining this immersive experience, the game tends to shift abruptly into the main body, flooding you with question marks and synchronization points that can feel more like diversions than valuable enhancements. Though they are optional and can be ignored, my compulsion to complete every marker on the map makes this task tiresome.

In 16th-century Feudal Japan while I was with Naoe and Yasuke, it often seemed as though I was constantly drawn into various side activities rather than focusing on main missions. Unfortunately, many of these activities lacked significance, appearing more like tasks than immersive content, and offering minimal contribution to the overall narrative.

In praise of Ubisoft, the world creation in Shadows is breathtakingly beautiful, and the changing weather only enhances the mood. However, the story’s rhythm feels disjointed at times, causing me to occasionally lose track of my objectives due to the game’s overwhelming amount of content.

In simpler terms, the additional missions in this game aren’t as finely tuned as the ones CD Projekt Red created for The Witcher 3. That game redefined storytelling in open-world RPGs, and this one falls short of reaching that mark.

In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, I encountered a problem that persisted even into my 60-hour journey: despite appreciating the Ancient Greek environment, I only got halfway through before quitting. Regrettably, it seemed like I barely scratched the surface of the main narrative. Similarly, Valhalla was a game I was eagerly anticipating, but its expansive open world didn’t resonate with me.

I’ve consistently found open-world games captivating. Titles like Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Ghost of Tsushima have all left me satisfied. What sets them apart is that they don’t burden you with excessive filler content. Conversely, Ubisoft often includes too much unnecessary padding in their games, making it challenging to stay motivated. I frequently find myself questioning, “What’s the point of all this?

Initially, in Shadows, I ventured into Yamato and Wakasa, barely scratching the surface of Kii, yet I had already unlocked many fast travel spots. It’s likely a misstep that led me to exhaustion. Regardless, it’s tough not to be drawn into these intricately designed areas.

Currently, I’ve opted to pause my journey in Assassin’s Creed Shadows temporarily. This pause isn’t a permanent farewell; it just gives me some breathing space. In fact, it remains an engaging game that I enjoy diving back into during brief moments, particularly when I want to immerse myself in a historical environment while listening to a podcast.

Read More

2025-04-10 15:12