Ubisoft’s recent showcase of stealth gameplay from the upcomingAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas revealed a new mechanic perfect for co-op players who want to make the most out of the game’s dual protagonists. The latest gameplay showing forAssassin’s Creed Shadowsincluded a preview of the integral new “Observe” feature, which, when combined withAC Shadows' dual protagonists and co-op game mode, could be exactly what the game needs for a balanced experience for both players.
Though this wouldn’t be the series' first attempt at introducing multiplayer to its games,AC Shadowsco-op picks upAssassin’s Creed Unity’s mantlewhich might leave some players apprehensive about the game mode making a comeback. However, alongside a smaller scope of two players instead of four,AC Shadowsappears to have reconsidered its traditional approach to stealth and combat with co-op in mind. Indicated by its new Observe mechanic,AC Shadowsseems to have been intentionally designed to enhance its co-op mode, allowing two players to better communicate with each other even during stealth gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Up the Ante With Its Stealth Gameplay and Co-op
Due to the game’s dual protagonists, newdetails aboutAC Shadows' stealth gameplayoutline the key differences players can expect when playing as either Naoe the kunoichi or Yasuke the samurai. While there are significant distinctions between the two, such as the focus on stealth or combat between Naoe and Yasuke respectively,AC Shadows' co-op mode means the two protagonists will need to be balanced for both players to work with each other effectively. This is whereAC Shadows' new Observe mechanic will become an integral tool for both players as they work together to take on all sorts of opponents.
Breaking Down Assassin’s Creed Shadows' New Observe Mechanic
Unlike a single-player experience, the key challenge co-op players will face will be the inability to see or hear what their partners do, such as hidden traps, potential loot, or roaming enemies. To resolve this,AC Shadows' Observe mechanic will allow players to slow down their gameplay, highlight and tag enemies, and even mark potential points of interest like lootable stashes. This will help players communicate valuable information with one another without breakingthe immersion ofAC Shadows' stealth gameplay, even when players might be caught in the middle of infiltrating locations or taking down targets.
Previously, in games likeAC Unity, co-op gameplay seemed reliant on players' instincts when working together and ultimately only left players with the option to improvise from moment to moment. But with theAssassin’s Creedseries actively encouraging its players to play stealthily,AC Shadows' new Observe mechanic will help players strategize together instead ofAC Unity’s uncoordinated co-op gameplay. Just as Associate Game Director Simon Lemay-Comtois states about the new Observe mechanic: “When in doubt, take a pause, observe the world around you, and only then should you decide what your next move should be.”
Assassin’s Creed Observe Mechanic Could Enhance Two-Player Stealth Gameplay
Lemay-Comtois also comments that the Observe mechanic will be at the core ofAC Shadows' gameplay and demonstrate the series' new philosophy toward stealth, which could set a high bar for the game’s co-op mode upon release. Based on how the Observe mechanic is being implemented,Ubisoft seemingly wants players to be more strategic, something that will ideally be reflected in the game’s co-op. For instance, while one player provides recon via the Observe mechanic as Naoe, the other can engage enemies in combat as Yasuke, allowing both players to take on any challenge efficiently and effectively.
