Assassin's Creed Shadows' Side Activities Explained

Assassin's Creed Shadows whisks players away to Feudal Japan, specifically the late Sengoku period. As well as a substantial main story, the game will offer a wealth of side activities for those who wish to engage with them, a staple of the Assassin's Creed series.

The Best War Games recently spoke with Assassin's Creed Shadows' game director Charles Benoit about these side activities and how varied they are. With the activities on offer ranging from relaxing to action-packed, there should be something to cater to all preferences.

How Assassin's Creed Shadows Approaches Side Activities

Assassin's Creed Shadows players can swap between Naoe and Yasuke at practically any time, making it fitting that most side activities can be completed by either. However, some activities are specific to each character or they share a set of side activities that are spread among them. For example, as Benoit detailed, the Kuji-Kiri and The Hidden Trails are specific to Naoe. The Kata and Horse Archery are unique to Yasuke. Benoit described what each of these activities is during our interview:

Activities Specifically for Naoe or Yasuke

"The Kuji-kiri is a timing and memory challenge that puts you in a meditating environment."
"The Hidden Trails present some parkour and grappling hooks in a natural environment."
"The Kata is where you need to follow a series of fight moves in a certain amount of time"
"Horse Archery is where you need to aim and shoot at targets on a path with your Bow."

These are specific to the perspective Assassin's Creed Shadows protagonist, but the others can be done by either Naoe or Yasuke. Sometimes, however, these activities will only be available to one of them or will be easier completed by a specific character. For example, Benoit explained that Shrines are simple, peaceful places for players to pray. That's easiest done by anyone. However, players can find lost pages of scrolls at Temples, which can be done by either character, but when those pages are on a rooftop, Naoe's parkour is necessary. Benoit described each of these more open and available side activities:

Activities for Either Naoe or Yasuke

"The Shrines are a peaceful place where you can pray at different places."
"The Temples are ancient places where some Lost pages of Scrolls are scattered around and you need to collect them. When the Lost pages are on a rooftop, for example, sometimes only Naoe (with her Grappling hook) will be able to get them."
"There is also the Sumi-e where you need to approach some animals silently (in the wild) to paint them and their behavior. You will even be able to hang those paintings in your Hideout."
"We have the Castles, where you need to find the Samurai Daisho, kill them, and loot the Castle legendary chest."
"We have the Kofun, which are either for Naoe or Yasuke; some are caves where you need the Grappling hook, some are old passages that you need to move heavy things around."

Of these, Benoit personally enjoys the Castles the most, especially when he wants the action inherent to their design. However, when just exploring AC Shadows' open world, Benoit also personally enjoys the Sumi-e the most.

While side activities can go a long way in fleshing out AC Shadows' Feudal Japan setting, they must factor into progression and gameplay as well. As Benoit explained, all activities in AC Shadows are developed with this in mind, with them not just being fun little check list items for players but ways to develop their character (while also taking in the world). Specifically, Benoit said,