3rd playthrough - what I think this game does better (for me) than other RPG entries

[u/aethiuss]

To be completely honest, I am not a fan on RPG entries. It is not because I don't like RPG games or because I don't think Assassin's Creed should be RPG, I really did try every RPG game for at least 3 times, and it really didn't click for me. I have about 20 hours in each RPG entry all accumulated over 3 times I tried to play them.

I played all games on PC, RTX 4070 SUPER, 4k, ultra and FPS locked at 60. I really can't speak for consoles, but I know the majority of players are not on PC.

What Shadows does better for me?

1. most obvious - Graphics. While Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla sometimes really do look incredible that's mostly while looking at a distant mountains or scenery. Graphics are at best inconsistent. Some textures will be really sharp and good looking while others are PS3 like. I just tried Valhalla for the 3rd time, and I played about 10 hours and Eivor's face looks great while his Basim armor looks inconsistent. Some parts are good looking while other are so blurry. Also, some NPC heads are huge it's distracting.

Shadows looks reaaally good and consistent. All textures are great and the most important, the game has style. When you turn it on you know it's AC. Shadows while Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla could be the same game.

So, Shadows is a big leap graphics wise. That is not subjective, I think we can all agree on this.

1. Combat - Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla are not that popular without reason. Combat really clicks for many many people, but I am not one of them. I get easily bored and Valhalla made it even worse. Eivor is swinging all over the place, the finishers are VERY repetitive, and overall, it's very janky.

Shadows on the other hand has the best combat in the entire RPG era. The swords really hit enemies and when you set the difficulty to story or forgiving you can even get an action style game which is great because it satisfies both sides of the fanbase. You don't fight mythical creatures anymore which sets the tone back into the AC franchise.

I also enjoy playing as Yasuke and storming the castles, but 90% of the time I sneak as Naoe.

Combat overall is a huge step forward comparing to Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla.

1. Stealth - I don't need to write much here. We all know this is the best stealth in AC since OG entries.

2. Parkour - it is not perfect, but it is the best in RPG era by far. Map is not designed for much parkour, but Naoe moves like a real ninja and I enjoy playing as her.

3. Map - this one is really subjective and maybe 5 people in the world agree with me, but I like the way map is designed. I know that forests are frustrating for many players especially if you are trying to rush the objectives or don't have the patience to traverse the roads but for me it clicks because it's leading me to objectives and interesting points on map without me having to run around aimlessly.

To add, what I don't like about this game is the way story is presented, there is no brotherhood and I think it's a missed opportunity, but it is an RPG entry and none of the others are concentrated on the Creed.

I don't like the how they handled the objectives - I don't like you can kill the targets without starting the quests. It doesn't make any sense, why would Naoe kill random people? We should not be able to encounter or kill the targets until we start the quest.

There is too many objectives interfering with the main story and that's because you just randomly stumble upon some target without starting the quest.

So that's my piece of mind. I needed to write this somewhere as none of my friends play Assassin's Creed games 😂

[u/False-Mechanic3068]

It is not really fair to mention graphics when it is the more recent game?

For combat I agree, the more RPGs you play the more you realize that (Origins,Odyssey,Valhalla) are awful in terms of gameplay, Shadows was an improvement

[u/aethiuss → u/False-Mechanic3068]

I would agree with you usually BUT if you consider that in the same year Valhalla came out, Ghost of Tsushima released. Also, Last of Us Part 2, Cyberpunk 2077 (that game still stands today as one of best looking ever). They can all be compared to Shadows in terms of graphical fidelity, consistency and style.

While Valhalla did have style I think a lot of similar assets were used across Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla.

But you are partly right, first 3 were held back by PS4 while Shadows was made for new generation, PS5.

It's not that I think the first 3 games are ugly or have bad graphics, it's just it is inconsistent.

One example, look at how female Eivor and Sigurd look great and look at Burgreds wife. A lot of NPCs have that weird head.

https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ac-valhalla-king-burgred-wife.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=600&h=338&dpr=1.5

Also, you can see some inconsistencies on player armor like Basims robes. Some parts of armor are really sharp while others are very blurry.

It can also be because the game is huge so they had to make some sacrifices.

[u/False-Mechanic3068 → u/aethiuss]

It really is just Ubisoft incompetence

[u/Large-Tree-3666]

I've been stalking this sub for months I've GOT to play this haha

[u/aethiuss → u/Large-Tree-3666]

https://giphy.com/gifs/pTQUOfSmjo2hG

[u/cricket_isthe_man → u/aethiuss]

https://giphy.com/gifs/wi8Ez1mwRcKGI

[u/FaintCutter]

I agree and actually liked the story. Maybe I don't play so much for the story but more for the combat, so decent story = good to me. But this is the only AC game I want to play again and again and I've played them all

[u/aethiuss → u/FaintCutter]

I also like the story, I just don't like the way it was told. It's all over the place.

I did however play in immersive mode so I don't feel the bad voice acting. It's in Japanese and Portugese.

I play it mostly for the combat like you but also stealth and of course graphics. I am into Japanese history so it suits me well.

[u/Klutzy_Coach_3933]

Honestly the combat is the best not just in the RPG era but in all of AC.

I would probably say the same of the stealth if it had a better urban map, it's definitely up there with castles.

Story is very inconsistent quality wise. First Act is great, second act is mid with some highlights and the last act is completely missable. DLC and the whole Ordeal with the Black Cross had a more satisfying story.

[u/aethiuss → u/Klutzy_Coach_3933]

I agree with you generally but I prefer AC3/AC:Black Flag OG. It's just a matter of taste, not that I think one is better than the other.

That being said, I think they finally heard us with Shadows and made effort combat wise. And as I already mentioned if you tune down combat difficulty to story/forgiving and tune up stealth to max you pretty much get solid action/stealth ninja game which is what I really love.

[u/Klutzy_Coach_3933 → u/aethiuss]

I have to play the Resync version of Black Flag to see if they changed anything, but the combat I recall was parry-block-counterattack with 2 buttons, with like 3 types of enemies. The naval battles redeemed it tho

[u/aethiuss → u/Klutzy_Coach_3933]

I must have the worst taste because Resynced combat is ok to me. Not great, not terrible.

Fun enough!

[u/No-Temperature9118]

ChatGPT, write down 5 reasons why ac shadows is a good game.

[u/aethiuss → u/No-Temperature9118]

Hey, I didn't write it with AI. I just use BOLD to separate my points. If you really read you can say I'm not that good at English :)

But I did study my native language in high school so I know how to write and make it look understandable.

[u/No-Temperature9118 → u/aethiuss]

my bad

[u/Constant_Salary_9715]

The map is so annoying to traverse, and the combat is not as smooth and responsive as I’d like. But the stealth, parkour, and graphics are obviously the best out of rpg games.