After the recent gameplay showcase and deep dive of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has left many fans feeling cautiously optimistic about the game and the series’ future. Although some have voiced concerns surrounding the game’s dialogue and Yasuke’s half of the game, the overall reception towards the showcase has generally been positive.
One of the more prominent points of praise was Ubisoft’s upgrades to Anvil, their in-house engine. The sheer improvements made to the engine have made it clear that Ubisoft still cares about Assassin’s Creed, at the very least, and wants to take the series in new and innovative directions.
For Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft Has Improved Anvil’s Physics Engine
From what players have seen of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it seems that Ubisoft has made a ton of improvements to nearly every aspect of the series when placed against Valhalla, from the very way character models talk to a combat model reminiscent of For Honor.
One of the improvements that has gone somewhat unnoticed, however, is how much the environment and base physics of the Anvil engine have improved, featuring breakable objects and enhancing the game’s immersion.
As the game’s art director, Thierry Dansereau, shared during the deep dive, the primary motive behind this specific improvement was to add a bit more dynamism to how the open world’s props react to players’ actions.
While the improvement may seem insignificant, given how many other games already feature dynamic objects and props, it is, regardless, a step in the right direction for Ubisoft. It shows they care about making the games’ signature historical worlds feel a little more alive and engaging.
What Other Parts of the Series See an Improvement With Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
As mentioned, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has showcased incrementally improved facial animations during the NPC conversation segments. The combat and stealth also look much more refined than in the previous three games in the series.
One of the bigger highlights of the showcase has been the improvements made to the game’s parkour. Following in Mirage‘s footsteps, it’s faster and much cleaner animation-wise, though some argue that it’s still no match for 2014’s Unity.
Unfortunately, that’s not to say that fans are entirely pleased with the game. Many have stated that the traversal snapping, wonky combat animation, and what is alleged to be AI-generated dialogue writing are preventing them from being completely onboard with the game. A few are also concerned about the game’s potential length, given how bloated Valhalla was considered.
While these concerns are easy for Ubisoft to work through, their most significant hurdle to the game’s success is arguably the comparisons people may draw with Ghost of Tsushima, one of the most incredible Feudal-Samurai experiences in all gaming. Only time will tell whether Shadows will be able to surpass its biggest competitor.
For now, let us rejoice in the fact that you can play with Shiba Inu in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. With that said, what are your thoughts on the recent showcase? What other improvements did you spot in the Anvil engine? Let us know in the comments below!
