Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the highly-anticipated upcoming entry in the long-running franchise, has been turning heads with its bold dual-protagonist approach and its breathtaking recreation of feudal Japan.
But amidst the hype, a startling revelation has left some fans scratching their heads and wondering if Ubisoft has missed a crucial opportunity to enhance the game’s stealth mechanics.
A Missing Feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The mechanic in question is none other than social stealth, a staple of the Assassin’s Creed series that allowed players to blend in with crowds and groups, hide in plain sight and generally become invisible to the eyes of patrolling guards.
This feature, which had made its long-awaited return in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, was conspicuously absent from the gameplay footage and details released for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.
Now, an official clarification from Ubisoft that social stealth would, indeed, not be included in the game has sparked a debate among fans—with many expressing their disappointment and calling it a “missed opportunity”:
Posts from the assassinscreedshadows
community on Reddit
The user proposes a rather intriguing idea: the idea of giving the controversial samurai protagonist, Yasuke, the ability to blend in with crowds while the shinobi protagonist, Naoe, focuses on more traditional stealth methods. It would have provided a nice contrast between the two characters’ playstyles and added depth to the gameplay.
However, as the Redditor themselves point out, Yasuke’s inclusion may have been the reason why social stealth was left out. As a Black samurai in feudal Japan, Yasuke would have naturally stood out in a crowd, making it difficult to justify his ability to hide in plain sight.
Naoe’s Stealth Abilities and Yasuke’s Limitations
While classic social stealth may be absent from Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it’s important to note that the game still offers a variety of stealth options, particularly for the ninja protagonist, Naoe:
Naoe is not distinguishable in the crowd. She is unnoticeable by military NPCs while in the open world – unless she starts doing illegal things, like swinging her sword, climbing, or using prone navigation in the street. Naoe is invisible by default for NPCs in the open-world.
— Marc-Alexis Côté, Ubisoft Vice President Executive Producer, Assassin’s Creed to Game File
This means that while Naoe may not be able to actively blend in with crowds like in previous Assassin’s Creed games, she is still able to remain unnoticed by NPCs as long as she doesn’t engage in suspicious activities. Additionally, as seen in the gameplay trailers, Naoe can utilize other stealth tactics such as knocking out various light sources and using shadows to remain hidden.
On the other hand, Côté has stated that it is “impossible” for Yasuke “to blend in unnoticed,” which is consistent with the fact that he is a towering 6-foot-plus African samurai who would undoubtedly turn a few heads (or make them bow) as he strolled through feudal Japan’s streets.
Despite the absence of social stealth, it’s clear that Assassin’s Creed Shadows still offers a variety of stealth options, particularly for Naoe. While some fans may be disappointed by the omission of this classic mechanic, it’s important to consider the game’s unique dual-protagonist approach and the historical context of its setting.
What do you think about the omission of social stealth in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Do you believe Ubisoft missed an opportunity to add depth to the gameplay? Do share your thoughts in the comments below!
