(Image credit: Ubisoft / FromSoftware / Activision)
Timing is crucial in many pursuits—from music to cooking—and mastering it is key in numerous crafts. This concept plays a vital role in several video games, where understanding rhythm is necessary for progression. Notable examples include Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, though it’s also central to action-RPGs like Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
In this game, both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, can parry enemies glowing blue. This system differs from the red attacks that require dodging as they stagger when blocked. Deflecting blue attacks grants a punish window, where foes are temporarily vulnerable. However, the timing isn’t what I initially expected.
According to an Assassin’s Creed Shadows review, it stands tall among series staples like Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. I had also recently played Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a game in the FromSoftware catalog by Hidetaka Miyazaki, known for its critical emphasis on perfect parrying.
After hours with Sekiro, I became attuned to its parry timing. But for a 35-year-old with reflexes like an aging sloth, it wasn’t easy. Enter Lies of P, a Soulslike focused around parrying, which adds an RPG edge with diverse weapons and stats. Though players can beat numerous enemies without parrying, mastering this mechanic is crucial for fully conquering the game.
With 90 hours spent on Lies of P, learning Sekiro’s timing was initially challenging, but I adapted. Yet, Assassin’s Creed Shadows presents a unique issue. Its rhythm in Ubisoft’s universe is different, providing a longer parry window, unlike Sekiro or Lies of P, thereby creating a different challenge for me.
The result? My ingrained muscle memory struggles in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ more forgiving mechanics. After 20 hours, I must constantly remind myself to adjust. Although this is a personal skill hurdle, I respect Assassin’s Creed for carving its unique path with diverse playstyles and weapon options, reducing reliance on parrying if desired.
Despite this flexibility, I relish the rhythmic combat and patience this game demands. The thrill of perfectly timed parries matches any other aspect of Naoe and Yasuke’s story. Unfortunately, Miyazaki’s compelling combat style seems forever embedded in my mind, making Assassin’s Creed Shadows a different kind of challenge because of it.
If you’re up for a test, explore the 10 best FromSoftware games you can play now.