"Canon mode of Assassin's Creed Shadows omits romantic elements, deemed 'personal'."
Assassin's Creed Shadows, developed by Ubisoft, has made a notable change in its approach to romantic storylines. Unlike its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Shadows has removed romance from its canonical mode, keeping it as an option only in the non-canonical mode [1][4].
Ubisoft's decision to exclude romance from the canon mode was based on the belief that romance is too personal and should be left for players to define [1]. Luc, a Ubisoft developer, explained this in a Reddit AMA, stating that including romance in the canonical narrative wouldn't make sense narratively, and keeping it out of the canon mode keeps the official storyline neutral [1].
In contrast, Assassin's Creed Odyssey featured extensive canonical romance options, often referred to as "canonical sexcapades," where romantic relationships were an integral part of the official story experience. This shift in approach in Shadows may be an attempt to respect the more personal nature of romance and allow more player freedom without altering the canonical narrative of the game [1].
In the non-canonical mode of Shadows, protagonists Yasuke and Naoe both have two substantial love interests. This mode offers more flexibility in choosing dialogue and quest outcomes [1].
The sentiment among some players is that Ubisoft pivoted sharply from the love elements in Odyssey in Assassin's Creed Shadows. However, Brooke Davies, the narrative director of Shadows, has emphasized the importance of choice in the game [3]. In a different Reddit AMA at the end of 2024, Davies promised fans that characters can choose who to recruit as allies, connect with as friends, and potentially lovers [2].
Relationships in Shadows can be short, sweet, or long-term, according to Davies [3]. This design choice reflects Ubisoft's intention that Shadows' core canonical storylines remain focused on other narrative elements while still providing romance options for players who want them outside the canon context [1].
Ubisoft has plans for a "deep dive" on the Assassins versus Templars conflict in the near future [1]. Despite the change in direction, some players have expressed disappointment about the removal of romance in Assassin's Creed games, specifically in Shadows [1].
| Aspect | Assassin's Creed Shadows (Canon Mode) | Assassin's Creed Odyssey (Canonical) | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Romance inclusion | Removed from canon mode, only in non-canon mode | Included as part of the canon narrative | | Ubisoft reasoning | Romance is too personal; better left player-defined | Romance integrated into the official storyline | | Player choice impact | Romance choices do not affect canon storyline | Romance is part of the character's canonical arc |
[1] Reddit AMA with Luc, Ubisoft developer [2] Reddit AMA with Brooke Davies, narrative director of Shadows [3] Interview with Brooke Davies, narrative director of Shadows [4] Ubisoft Blog Post on Assassin's Creed Shadows
- In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft opted to exclude romance from the canonical mode, choosing instead to respect the personal nature of such relationships.
- Conversely, Assassin's Creed Odyssey featured extensive canonical romance options, making romantic relationships an integral part of the game's official storyline.
- Ubisoft intends for relationships in Assassin's Creed Shadows to be optional in the non-canonical mode, offering players flexibility in choosing dialogue and quest outcomes.
- Regarding the removal of romance in Assassin's Creed games, specifically Shadows, some players have expressed disappointment, but Ubisoft remains committed to providing entertainment through various aspects, such as action, games, news, TV, deals, console, RPG, and entertainment.
