Explore Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Open World: When?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows immerses players in a sprawling open world set against the backdrop of Feudal Japan. However, it’s not all freedom right from the start—players must complete the prologue before diving into the expansive landscape. Here’s when you can finally begin exploring the open world in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

When Can You Explore the Open World in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Ubisoft has earned its reputation for crafting rich open worlds over the years, though their introductions can sometimes feel lengthy. Fortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows ensures players don’t wait as long as in previous titles before they can roam freely.

The game kicks off with a prologue designed to establish the setting and introduce its dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe. From the perspective of Yasuke, players learn about the Samurai, while Naoe’s journey delves into the Shinobi. The prologue also acquaints players with Iga, Naoe’s homeland, as she embarks on a journey across Japan. Packed with cinematic moments and narrative exposition, this segment typically takes around one and a half hours to finish.

After completing the quest titled “From Spark to Flame” and establishing your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko’s Homestead, you’ll gain greater freedom to explore the open world.

Can You Go Anywhere in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Right Away?

Once the open world becomes accessible, players find themselves in Izumi Settsu, one of the nine named regions available at launch. For a while, the game focuses on this region, with quests and side activities centered around it. As the story progresses, exploration expands northward toward the Yamashiro province.

Although certain storylines restrict Naoe and Yasuke to specific locations, players often have the flexibility to visit other provinces—provided conditions allow. In practice, however, there are limitations.

Firstly, the lack of quests and activities in other regions might make venturing there less appealing initially. Additionally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows incorporates RPG mechanics, meaning players must meet a minimum level requirement to effectively engage in combat within each region. You can check these levels by opening the map. Regions marked with a red diamond displaying a number indicate that you’re significantly below the recommended level for that area. Engaging in such zones could prove overwhelmingly challenging, as enemies may deal instant death blows.

In summary, while you can technically head to higher-level regions early on, doing so isn’t advisable and may lead to frustration.