AC: Shadows breakdown: campaign will be more intense but shorter, with ton of meaningful locations

Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive playtime prompted Ubisoft to refine its approach for the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Codename Red. Feedback regarding the length of the main plot and abundance of optional content has been addressed. The goal is a more streamlined yet immersive experience.

Creative director Charles Benoit stated that completing the main storyline of Codename Red will take approximately 50 hours. A comprehensive playthrough, including exploration and side quests, is estimated at 100 hours. This contrasts with Valhalla's minimum 60-hour main storyline and potential 150-hour completion time.

Ubisoft has reportedly reduced the volume of optional content to avoid overwhelming players, aiming for a better balance between narrative progression and optional activities. The developers aim to eliminate tedious gameplay while preserving the world's richness and narrative depth.

The intention is to cater to diverse playstyles; players seeking extensive gameplay won't compromise quality for a shorter experience, while those prioritizing the story can complete it without a massive time investment.

Game director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the team's research trip to Japan as a significant influence on Codename Red's development. The scale and detail of Japanese castles, mountainous landscapes, and dense forests exceeded expectations, leading to a commitment to greater realism and detail.

A key change involves world geography. Travel distances between points of interest will be longer, promoting exploration of more nuanced and specific locations. This differs significantly from Assassin's Creed Odyssey's denser point-of-interest distribution. While travel will take longer, the increased detail and richness of each location will enhance the immersive Japanese atmosphere, according to Dumont. Codename Red boasts a considerably higher level of detail, promising a truly authentic Japanese experience.