Fans of *Assassin's Creed Valhalla* have voiced concerns about the game's extensive plot and the abundance of optional tasks, prompting Ubisoft to take action. In response, the upcoming *Assassin's Creed Shadows* will feature a more streamlined experience with easier-to-see and more compact shadows.

In an interview, game director Charles Benoit revealed that the *Shadows* campaign is designed to be completed in approximately 50 hours. For those eager to explore every region and tackle all side quests, the total playtime could extend to around 100 hours. This is a notable reduction compared to *Valhalla*, which required at least 60 hours for a main playthrough and up to 150 hours for full completion.

Ubisoft has reportedly focused on curating the optional content to prevent player overwhelm. *Shadows* aims to strike a more balanced mix of story and side activities, ensuring gameplay remains engaging without feeling tedious. The developers are committed to preserving the richness of the world and the depth of the story, ensuring that players who value comprehensive gameplay won't have to compromise on quality for a shorter duration. Meanwhile, those who prefer to focus on the narrative can complete the game without dedicating hundreds of hours.

Game director Jonathan Dumont shared insights into the team's research trip to Japan, which significantly influenced the development of *Shadows*. "You're still struck by the reality of a place you've only ever read about or seen in movies," Dumont remarked. The team was particularly impressed by the scale of the castles, the tiered mountain scenery, and the dense forests. "The sheer size of these fortresses makes you say, 'I didn't expect this scale.' We came to the conclusion that much more realism and attention to detail were required."

One of the main changes in *Shadows* will be a more realistic representation of world geography. Players will need to travel longer distances between points of interest to fully appreciate the open landscapes, but each location will be more specific and nuanced. This approach differs significantly from *Assassin's Creed Odyssey*, where points of interest were often closely spaced. In *Shadows*, travel will take longer, and the world will feel more open and natural. As players progress, the locations will become richer and more detailed, allowing for a deeper immersion into the Japanese atmosphere, according to Dumont.