Summary
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas certainly been going through it since its reveal, but that hasn’t stopped it from trucking along with a renewed aim to be more of what players want in anAssassin’s Creedtitle. Despite facing numerous delays, each one has allowed Ubisoft more time to refineAssassin’s Creed Shadows' gameplay, as well as prime opportunities for the developer to earn back the trust of fans, especially as it reveals more and ' gameplay and story.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas already outlined several changes that it is making to the series' formula, including a more realistic approach toAssassin’s Creed’s iconic parkour system. One of these changes involves Viewpoints, which have long served as an opportunity for players to reveal portions of a game’s map, as well as any activities and notable locations present in those areas. Regardless of the role Viewpoints have played in the series up to this point, however,AC Shadowsis turning the system on its head in hopes to counter the open-world criticism Ubisoft has been facing for quite some time. Now, that same approach should carry over to another major Ubisoft franchise —Far Cry.
Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s Viewpoints Should Influence the Far Cry Franchise
Map Discovery in the Far Cry Series Has Evolved Over Time
Historically, Ubisoft’sFar Cryseries has used structures likeAssassin’s Creed’s Viewpoints as a way to reveal portions of the map. For example, in two ofFar Cry’s more notable titles,Far Cry 3andFar Cry 4, climbable radio towers were used in a similar way to Viewpoints inAssassin’s Creed. After climbing said towers, a region of the map would be revealed, along with any noteworthy locations, collectibles, NPCs, etc. While this method worked for some time, it didn’t take long for it to feel repetitive and unrewarding, to the point thatFar Cry 5had to lean into the criticism ofUbisoft’s obsession with radio towersby making a joke about it.
Regardless of the role Viewpoints have played in the series up to this point,AC Shadowsis turning the system on its head in hopes to counter the open-world criticism Ubisoft has been facing for quite some time.
In response to that criticism, bothFar Cry 5andFar Cry 6left the series' radio towers behind in favor of a more organic exploration system.Far Cry 5, for example, encouraged exploration through natural landmarks and interactions with NPCs in order to reveal map details. The map would then naturally reveal itself as players explored the world, thereby adding to the reward of discovery.Far Cry 6continued that trend, with players discovering points of interest through engagement with the environment and certain missions. While this new system has done fairly well for the series, it still succumbed toUbisoft’s infamous open-world modeland was therefore largely ignored.
Far Cry Implementing AC Shadow’s Viewpoint Approach Would Allow It to Bring Back Radio Towers
Despite the criticism they have received, there remains acase forFar Cryto bring back radio towers, especially if it were to adoptAssassin’s Creed Shadows' approach to Viewpoints. While Viewpoints in theACseries have always been used to reveal portions of the map, they have been reimagined inAC Shadowsto enhance player immersion and exploration. Specifically, climbing a Viewpoint inAC Shadowsnow allows players to manually observe their surroundings and tag nearby points of interest. In other words, rather than removing Viewpoints asFar Cryremoved radio towers,AC Shadowssimply repurposes them.
Parkour is not only anAssassin’s Creedstaple, but aFar Crystaple as well. This is where the reintroduction of radio towers to the series would come in, as they were not only used as a method for players to reveal the map but also as an opportunity for them to engage in more parkour gameplay. Then, rather than revealing portions of the map as they have before,AC Shadows' approach to Viewpoints could be implemented instead, allowing players to identify points of interest from the top of a radio tower instead of simply revealing the map and everything it contains.
This method would potentially prevent futureFar Crygames from relying too heavily on radio towers, and it would effectively blend the vision ofFar Cry 5andFar Cry 6with one of the series' earliest recurring elements.
By repurposing radio towers inFar CrywithAssassin’s Creed Shadows' new Viewpoint mechanics, futureFar Crytitles could strike a balance between the rewarding exploration introduced in recent entries and the parkour-focused gameplay of earlier installments. This approach would not only honor the series' roots but also give players a more immersive way to uncover the map. Balancing nostalgia with forward-moving innovation,Far Crycould evolve its open-world formula into something that feels fresh and purposeful — a change that has needed to happen for quite some time.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
