(Image credit: Ubisoft / FromSoftware / Activision)
Timing is essential in mastering any craft, whether it’s music or cooking. Video games, too, often demand this skill, with an understanding of rhythm crucial for progress. While clear in games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, it’s equally vital in action-RPGs such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
In this game, protagonists Naoe and Yasuke can parry opponents when they glow blue. It’s straightforward and a shift from red attacks that stagger them, necessitating a dodge instead. Although you can evade the blue strikes altogether, mastering deflection offers a chance to retaliate when enemies are off-balance. However, the timing wasn’t what I anticipated.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is often compared to iconic series entries like Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, even being hailed as Ubisoft’s best RPG yet.
Recently, I took on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a game that, unlike the usual FromSoftware titles, focuses largely on a single weapon. It insists that you not only wield a sword but master parrying with it. After about nine hours, I got a grasp of its timing. Understanding the nuances of when to parry wasn’t intuitive for a 35-year-old whose reflexes are akin to a sloth on a lazy afternoon. Complicating matters further was my experience with Lies of P.
This 2023 title revolves around a parry system too, offering a more comprehensive RPG experience with a variety of weapons and stats. Although many foes, bosses included, can be defeated without parrying, mastering it is crucial, especially if defeating the final optional boss is your goal. The parry timing in Lies of P is even tighter than Sekiro, presenting a challenge after over 90 hours of playtime and achieving all its accolades.
Adapting to Sekiro required patience, accepting blows as reminders to be vigilant. Unfortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows presented a similar hurdle. Rhythmically, Ubisoft’s game offers a different tempo. While Sekiro mirrors the precision of Lies of P, Assassin’s Creed affords a more lenient parry window, encouraging defense as the blue glow appears, but still effective with a delayed response.
The outcome? Frequent mistakes with Naoe and Yasuke—as I attempt precise responses, only to be outdone by a game that forgives too much. Despite this, I find humor in my struggle. Altering Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ difficulty doesn’t solve the issue; after all, it doesn’t seek to emulate a Soulslike. It shines in its individuality, providing diverse weaponry and strategies, allowing minimal reliance on parries if desired.
Yet, I resist avoiding them. I relish the combat’s rhythm and the patience it demands. The satisfaction of perfectly timed defense is a joy, an integral part of Naoe and Yasuke’s journey. Miyazaki‘s distinctive combat style has captivated my mind, and I continually find Assassin’s Creed Shadows more demanding because of it. Looking for a test of skill? Explore the 10 best FromSoftware games available now.