Assassin's Creed Shadows will be without map icons in traditional for seria meaning

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to make a significant departure from previous titles in the series when it comes to exploration, with major changes that aim to create a more immersive and discovery-driven experience. Set to release on March 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC (following yet another delay), Ubisoft is offering a fresh take on how players interact with the open world, moving away from the constant barrage of map icons and markers that have traditionally guided players.

In a recent blog post, Ubisoft explained that Shadows aims to foster a unique sense of discovery, encouraging players to engage more actively with the world rather than being constantly guided by icons and points of interest. The world map will start off minimalistic, showing only region names and vague hints at possible key locations. As players explore, more details will be revealed, but initially, they will need to earn this information by interacting with NPCs, and spies, and through direct exploration.

The game's approach to synchronization points, a staple in Assassin's Creed games, has also been overhauled. In Shadows, synchronization will no longer uncover a massive array of map icons across a wide area. Instead, it will reveal nearby key points of interest that players can manually tag and add to their compass, allowing for a more intentional and active exploration experience.

As part of this new exploration system, the familiar companion eagle has been removed. Players will now have to find a good vantage point to survey their surroundings, manually tagging valuable items, enemies, and objectives as they plan their next steps.

Ubisoft also introduced a new feature called safe houses, or "kakurega." These locations can be acquired by the player and serve as safe fast travel points. While synchronization points will also unlock fast travel, they are often located in dangerous enemy zones, making kakurega a more secure option. These safe houses offer additional functions such as restocking rations, tools, and ammunition, managing gear stashes, accepting contracts, and replenishing scouts and allies.

Another notable feature is the Objective Board, which builds on the visual quest log seen in Assassin's Creed Mirage. This updated version reveals new targets and objectives as players encounter more characters and challenges. Rather than giving precise directions, the Objective Board will present clues that players need to piece together to find new opportunities. Alternatively, players can rely on scouts to uncover more specific locations.

The Pathfinder tool has been introduced to help players navigate more effectively in the world of Shadows. With the inclusion of more unclimbable terrain, Pathfinder helps avoid false shortcuts that could increase travel time. When a quest is tracked or a marker is placed on the map, Pathfinder can be activated while on horseback, showing the fastest route to the destination with a white line overlay on the ground.

These changes, alongside a more dynamic exploration system, promise to deliver a more player-driven experience in Assassin's Creed Shadows. With the release date of March 20th approaching, fans of the series are eagerly awaiting how these innovations will impact the next chapter of the franchise.