Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive length and numerous side quests drew criticism from fans, a point Ubisoft acknowledges in the development of its successor. The upcoming Assassin's Creed: Shadows aims to address this feedback. Shadows' campaign will reportedly take around 50 hours to complete, with full completion (including all regions and side quests) estimated at 100 hours—a significant reduction from Valhalla's potential 150-hour playtime.
Game director Charles Benoit explained that Ubisoft focused on streamlining optional content to avoid overwhelming players. The goal is a more balanced blend of narrative and optional activities, aiming for a less tedious experience while retaining the richness of the game world and depth of the story. The developers intend to satisfy players who enjoy expansive gameplay without sacrificing quality for brevity, and those prioritizing the main story will find a more manageable playtime.
Director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the impact of the team's research trip to Japan on the game's design. The scale of Japanese castles, mountains, and forests profoundly impacted their vision. This led to a commitment to increased realism and detail.
One key change is a more realistic world geography. While travel between points of interest will take longer, each location will be more richly detailed and nuanced. This contrasts with Assassin's Creed Odyssey's denser point-of-interest placement. The result is a more expansive, natural-feeling world where exploration is rewarded with richer, more immersive locations. Dumont emphasizes the significantly higher level of detail in Shadows, promising a deeply immersive Japanese experience.