"Explore Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Open World: When?"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open world set in Feudal Japan, but players must first navigate through a prologue before they can fully explore this expansive environment. Here’s a detailed look at when and how you can explore the open world in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

How Long is the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Prologue?

Ubisoft has a reputation for crafting immersive open worlds, yet their games often feature lengthy introductions. Fortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows keeps the wait relatively short. The game kicks off with a prologue that sets the scene and introduces the dual protagonists, Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi. This section also acquaints players with Naoe’s homeland, Iga, and marks the beginning of her journey beyond this region.

The prologue, complete with epic set pieces and crucial narrative exposition, typically takes about an hour and a half to complete. Once you finish the “From Spark to Flame” Quest and establish your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko’s Homestead, the gates to the open world swing wide open.

Can You Go Anywhere in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Right Away?

Naoe prepares to observe an area after synchronizing in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, via Ubisoft

After completing the prologue, players gain access to the open world, starting in the Izumi Settsu region, one of nine explorable areas available at launch. Initially, quests and side activities will be concentrated in Izumi Settsu before expanding to the Yamashiro province to the north.

While the game does allow some freedom to travel to other provinces, certain story elements and quests can tether Naoe and Yasuke to specific locations. Moreover, venturing into other regions early on might not be beneficial due to the lack of quests and activities, which unlock progressively through the story.

Additionally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows incorporates RPG elements, requiring players to reach certain levels to effectively combat enemies in higher-level regions. You can check these level requirements on the map; regions marked with a red diamond and a number indicate areas where you’re significantly underleveled, suggesting that entering these zones prematurely could lead to a challenging, if not frustrating, experience.

In summary, while it’s technically possible to rush into higher-level regions, it’s advisable to progress through the game’s natural pacing to ensure a more enjoyable and manageable experience.