If you’re all about diving headfirst into a game world and making it as immersive as possible, there are plenty of tricks up your sleeve. Need to get rid of the clutter? Dive into the options menu and turn off the HUD. Craving a stark challenge? Try the ‘realistic’ modes that test your mettle with one-shot deaths. Or perhaps, set the mood by playing some Ennio Morricone as you wander through towns or gallop into the sunset on your trusty steed.
These tweaks, especially in the Assassin’s Creed series, are largely in your hands. They let you strip away the layers of icons, HUD visuals, and other game elements that can sometimes overwhelm the experience. After all, the Animus in Assassin’s Creed does try to justify these overlays, since both the protagonist and you are interacting with the world through this advanced machine.
But let’s be honest—it can be overwhelming. Ubisoft prides itself on the historical accuracy of Assassin’s Creed, with modes like the Discovery Tour in Origins and Odyssey showcasing this commitment. So, it’s a bit disheartening when the historical beauty of Egypt in 43 BC is overshadowed by an encroaching Level 23 bruiser, or when Britain’s lush fields in 872 AD are constantly invaded by quest reminders and collectibles while you’re trying to enjoy a simple game of knucklebones.
I’m not alone in feeling this way—it’s a well-known issue in the gaming community that the Assassin’s Creed games struggle with immersion. What’s the point of spending so much effort on beautiful skies if players are glued to the mini-map?
Thankfully, the latest entry, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, seems to be taking a fresh approach. In addition to the usual customizable options, Ubisoft introduces something many of us have wished for: Immersive Mode.
This mode switches the language to match the setting, a simple yet effective tweak. Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, you’ll mostly hear Japanese, with a dash of Portuguese from the Catholic missionaries on the islands. The storyline follows Oda Nobunaga’s quest to unify Japan, and these missionaries were key players back then, introducing firearms and altering Japan’s historical course significantly.
Now, I get it—some prefer their games in English, which can lead to amusing moments like Dynasty Warriors’ infamous ‘Cow Cow’ for Cao Cao. But Ubisoft aims to craft a narrative rich with historical depth, rather than a mindless hack-and-slash with an anime edge.
The payoff is immediate with Immersive Mode. Top-notch voice acting, a Ubisoft staple, pulls you right in. The realism of hearing Japanese dialogue interspersed with Portuguese from nearby missionaries enhances the experience, drawing you to explore conversations and unravel the storyline further.
This sound-driven exploration complements the game’s focus on “scale, culture, and diversity.” The synergy of these aspects truly elevates the immersion, creating a cohesive and engaging journey akin to the DNA helix we’ve come to associate with Assassin’s Creed.
Touches like these fuel my anticipation for Shadows. This game is crucial for Ubisoft, and enhancing well-loved features from the past 17 years is a smart move to captivate players. Let’s hope the main game retains the same magic seen in previews.
Catch Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC, slated for release on March 20, 2025, after a slight delay from this year.
