Why “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” Urgently Requires a Discovery Tour Mode

The historical backdrops of the Assassin’s Creed games have always been a significant draw for players. From the bustling streets of Renaissance Italy to the revolutionary fervor of France, the foggy alleys of Victorian London, and the dramatic landscapes of Ancient Egypt, Ubisoft has taken gamers on a thrilling journey through the ages. Now, Assassin’s Creed Shadows invites players to explore a brand-new sandbox set in a long-requested timeline.

Finally answering the call from fans, Ubisoft brings the Assassin’s Creed saga to Feudal Japan. It’s a setting that many have been clamoring for—a post-Sengoku era narrative beginning with the fall of the powerful daimyo, Oda Nobunaga. With its rich veins of historical events and figures, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is perfectly poised to introduce a Discovery Tour mode, opening up the chance for a deeper dive into Japan’s captivating past.

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Since 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ubisoft’s Discovery Tour mode has offered a refreshingly peaceful way to explore the game’s intricate historical settings. Players, assuming various avatars, can wander through landmark-rich environments, meet figures from history, and embark on historian-narrated guided tours. This feature transforms the game into a virtual museum—ideal for students and history enthusiasts interested in immersing themselves in the culture and life of bygone eras. Both Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla included their own Discovery Tours, each expanding on the concept with unique features.

For instance, in Valhalla’s Discovery Tour, players get to choose from multiple characters, each offering different narratives and insights into Viking and Anglo-Saxon life. The experiential learning includes quests that might involve building a Viking longship and even exploring Asgard, teeming with lore about the Norse gods.

Discovery Tour can be bought on its own, or accessed for free through the core Assassin’s Creed games: Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

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A Discovery Tour mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows would offset the main story’s whirlwind of historical figures and events. Given the Sengoku period’s complexity and rapid developments, keeping track of all the characters and their interwoven stories can be overwhelming. However, this very density provides rich material for a potential Discovery Tour mode, allowing players to delve into significant incidents like the Honnō-ji Incident, iconic structures such as Osaka Castle, and legendary leaders like Tokugawa Ieyasu.

The wealth of historical content in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is perfect for crafting an educational and engaging Discovery Tour. Players could engage with the content at a leisurely pace to appreciate the intricate tapestry of Japan’s history.