Xbox Series S Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Game Experiences.

[altf404]

First time playing this series and I really like it. 16:30 hours played level 12 (60 is max level) as Naoe and just unlocked Yasuke, lots to learn. You can play either character eventually after completing act 1, switching using various actions and both level up from same xp pool. The huge open world is really amazing. I expect my game will go over 100+ hours due to how slow I play although much faster in the combat now.

When you start up the game the system menus and animations have a Matrix like feel to them, like you are entering the simulation. You find these effects all throughout the game, some glitch orb like which may lead you to memories or new events. The characters do have simple builds you can create, skills, gear, perks, weapons, trinkets.

My gameplay will be slow non meta and not super complete, tend to take it slow and enjoy areas.

Game Settings > Gameplay > Difficulty Tuning:
Combat Difficulty = Forgiving, not too hard but still die sometimes, Normal setting is noticeably harder.
Stealth Difficulty = Normal, the AI was too dumb at Forgiving.
Guaranteed Assassination = On, allows mastery points to be used other places, makes combat much easier..

Playable Characters:
Naoe = stealthy agile shinobi assassin you start with, explore with her.
Yasuke = powerhouse samurai smash huge mobs, when you need a one man army.

You will be going back and forth (mainly hideout) in this huge map so fast travel doesn't steal from the experience.

Fast Travel:
Viewpoints = fast travel points, show info of nearby activities locations, explore to find them.
Kakurega = explore to find, unlock with money, has hideout features stash/contracts.
Hideout = your base of operations, upgrades available, custom buildings and features.

Skills:
Mastery Points: you gain these by leveling up, sometimes you receive more than 1 per level not sure how, might be event related.
Knowledge Points: these are gained from exploring and receiving intel, opens up higher level skills for Mastery Points.

Combat:
You can fast travel out of an enemy zone by climbing up to viewpoint if there is one,
Fighting is relatively simple for both characters, you can also call in allies to help by using an assignment system.

Hideout Upgrades:
Upgrade Stables to use only one scout for resources instead of two by default so you can spread them out.
Build a Study and upgrade it for more scouts, these are helpers all over the map doing stuff for you.
Forge build one and upgrade it to allow adding perks onto gear plus upgrading.

Seasons:
Four weather seasons, this resets the scouts/contracts and they bring all resources to hideout found in Stables chest.
No way to manually control the Season, think returning to hideout triggers a change eventually.
I do contracts and never go back to hideout until they are done, not sure this helps.

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Pros:
1. Gorgeous open world huge map, lots of activities, explore to find more,
2. Play at your own pace, explore, loop play combat activities if you want.
3. Updates and expansions coming.
4. Photo mode shares your image others can see at the location taken using map, like/view expanded.
5. Naoe runs really fast, but you can summon your easy to use horse to go faster.
6. Photo mode is used a bunch, the sounds, the sights are incredible.
7. The game setting of Japan with the music and gorgeous scenery are very relaxing to me,

Cons:
1. Cutscenes do not show current gear, shows default outfit.
2. Limited animations when fighting, doing special attacks, other.
3. Lots of gear and weapons of various qualities to constantly manage, dismantle for mats is one by one slowly no mass options.

More later…

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
Now level 14 at 19:46 hours played, Naoe is fully in Legendary gear. You can unlock Yasuke faster than I did btw.
Figuring how to swap characters when needed has a workflow and you get used to it.
Yasuke is a bit slower to move around, pretty much only use him when in a battle area with lots of big guys.
Yasuke didn't come equipped with any ranged weapon at first, this prevented an activity where shooting a bomb was needed.
Yasuke uses his default Long Katana and now has a Bow as second weapon. I still need to try other weapons not great with Bow yet.
Naoe uses a Kusarigama and Tanto for weapons, the Kusarigama is way more exciting to use.
I have been upgrading all gear at Forge each level since Im barely changing gear yet, loot everythings.
When focusing on areas (pressing left trigger chests/resources/objectives) aim over the highlight to make it persistent, easy to see, makes a chime when marked.
Naoe is quite a bit more fun to play and gives the style of play to be expected.
Killing the Daisho Samurai guys seems to give you a Mastery point for each one killed, they have helmet icon.
Almost all my Hideout main buildings are max upgraded at character level 14, I have a bunch of options too like dog and cat,
I re enter hostile areas for the resources, when map shows the area having High resources I'm there.
Killing enemies isn't a good way to farm xp, complete objective events.
Most everything respawns in this game enemies/resources.
Wondering if resources will be needed after Hideout completely finished?
Favorite thing to do, sprint directly at enemies no hiding and assassinate right as they notice me.
Guaranteed Assassination option being turned on is hugely overpowered but fun.
I am thinking video games with a ton of different gear to go through should change to components with a base item.
Gear cluttering up inventory and stashes is a pita.

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
I ended my previous game with a ‘Wanted’ status due to guy ringing a bell, when I turned on game today still was on.
Now to figure out how to remove Wanted status hrmm.
Forgot on previous day I did a tea etiquette mission, bowl turn was wrong and host gave me dirty look.
Ok can remove Wanted by leaving area and it will clear once the Season changes.
Seasons change every 2-3 hours, open map progress compass upper right, fast travel can trigger or use ‘Change Season’ option if compass progression is fully filled in white.
Seen that I have had an Ally for awhile, tried to use but nothing must be something missing, oops not assigned.
Dojo built in Hideout for awhile. Went to Dojo trained Yaya and assigned her, now just LT Press Y to call her.
So thinking my combat needs to be studied more, I just click RB, LB, RT, B to dodge often lol. Stances huh.
Did a memory with Naoe where she took an oath and had to duel a guy, died 3 times before I got it done, huge cutscene until 3rd time.
I shouldn't feel bad about the dual because Naoe goes back in time and was weaker during the fight.
Apparently there are open world Legendary chests spread around not apart of activities, some found near viewpoints, scanning…
This is the best single player game I have played in years, tried many most I quit after 5-10 hours, my save shows 21:28 hours played.
Make sure to pray at shrine down road outside the Hideout for a buff, each time its random.
My travels are still mostly in the first zone of Izumi Settsu, still lots more things to do here. Yamashiro barely entered.
Very slow game play today, was reading the codex and learning more, watched some videos tips and tricks.
Level 15 and a half, the inventory screen shows current level and progress fill until next level.
Got my first piece of gold for helping a farmer, gold upgrades gear to your level with nothing else needed which is rare.
Yasuke trains kata to Junjiro ‘A different kind of Samurai’ QTE had hard time with timed RT, have to wait to press a few seconds doh.
Upon doing event above was playing Naoe but had to switch to Yasuke, menu to inventory and you can switch characters on the spot.
Using an Ally seems to only work when targeting an enemy, the option is grayed out until or it seems so far.
Another Wanted status removal trick, if you die during combat right after it starts last checkpoint should reload no Wanted.
Gonna need to play on Yasuke to progress more, he has a long animation that comes up a bunch in battle using Naginata weapon (spear/polearm).
The animation stabs enemy, they fall to knees, then Yasuke chops left arm off, right arm, then finally head. Its like 3 seconds.
Did some more decorating of the Hideout, um I really like doing it too.
Upgraded Dojo to level 2 allows another Ally to join combat for cost of one, one more upgrade till maxed.

 

[altf404]

Thoughts on the ‘reviews’ of AC Shadows and why I made this game experience thread.

Created this thread after trying out AC Shadows and liking it, also because I saw a bandwagon of negativity online but feeling different. I think what’s happening is people are not happy in life and its reflecting on everything around them. Reviews have become a form of performance (content) and way to vent for some with no actual information.

Reviews are for the most part useless to me, yea I really feel this way. The small fragment of constructive reviews do improve the game and for that I do appreciate a solid review.

 

[altf404]

A solid tips and tricks video covering the basics.

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
26:24 hours into game, level 18, got lazy not doing gear upgrades and really noticed fighting level 19s in 15 gear.
Really need to focus on contracts to get most resources, 3 of them each season and are quick.
Wanted status on both characters today, Naoe was superior due to Guaranteed Assassination to make quick work of Guardians.
Guardians are the toughest enemies in the game and come out when wanted bell is rung.
You can destroy the bell alarm so no Wanted status happens, but if it has been rung then its too late.
Starting to venture more into Yamashiro but first area is nowhere near finished
Upgraded Kakurega to level 2, one more and all main buildings are max, both unlock even more stuff on map.
Still only at Knowledge level 2, need it higher to unlock new rows of higher skills most are maxed below.
While playing today I went nonstop on objectives, felt faster getting resources and stuff done.
Think I might be playing too slow, but the game is so beautiful to explore.
Guardian with a Teppo which is a rifle has a knock back and stagger that messed Yasuke up bad.
Think I will try a Teppo on Yasuke instead of bow for a while.
Yasuke needs a buff, but maybe later with more skills he gets better because now he severely lags behind Naoe.
Naoe vs Yasuke in a fight is no contest, Naoe finishes fight in 1 second.
Changed the QTE setting to Auto, these are puzzle like events where you do button presses, but with Auto on easy mode again.
I wish the game had setting to turn off extended animations, I tried turning off dismemberment and blood but it doesn't help.
Yasuke animations are too long, Naoe is so fast at everything so her animations are not as bothersome.
This recurring thought of ‘stress release and relaxation’ from playing this game is legit, maybe the Japan setting and music.
I had some in game screenshots in some of these posts, removed due to testing something will have more in future.
Maybe a youtube channel with videos some showing this game soon.
Bought the premium starter pack, gives 4200 Helix credits, couple weapon, 5 additional mastery points.
Bought the map pack with helix points, this unlocks the shrines, temples, legendary chest, knowledge, experience., characer events.
Helix points dual pack Sekiryu which is the red legendary, has an instant kill 3% chance on both characters and perks.
Gear from the Sekiryu dual pack is set to current level, was level 18 the gear was too.
The map pack does not unlock everything on the map, just things to help you know where some things are like knowledge points.
The map pack is probably the biggest bang for the buck at 1000 helix points which you can earn in game doing Animus events.
Animus events are the only grind for Helix points I think, but will take time to gather points so you may buy points from store like me.
The start pack came with a Teppo gun for Yasuka, first try one shot an elite. Think my 3% instant kill gear perk procced?

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
29:58 hours played, characters level 21
Today all 6 main rooms are now at max upgrade level, each provides perks.
Noticed the next set of smaller themed rooms give buffs to many world things like shine buff, ration efficiency, xp etc.
Pretty much do this right when I start, go to any Kakurega, get contracts until all 3 are done first thing.
We choose a Kakurega over hideout due to them being small and contracts box being right next to you when you fast travel in.
This technique speeds up everything for building in hideout and gives good xp too.
The hideout is like a town for many people who join your ikki (group) and it is still impressive
My opinion of AC Shadows has not changed a bit at nearly 30 hours played time.
As you gain experience more objective options open up so you may stray from main story. Game constantly has new events.
Bugs? 1 visual bug on locked castle resource doors barricaded, once open and you move away the barricade seems to fall back in place.
Pretty impressive how good the game runs on xbox series s, smooth like butter but know it looks even better on an X.
My grind is for knowledge points now on, for better skills.
Contracts are the META for xp and exploration? Really starting to think so, you get sent to areas where other things need to be done too.
Tera connectable themed room increases experience +10%, built one yeap.
The minerals resource is always lacking, maybe a buff needed have plenty of the other two for building.

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
31:54 hours played, characters level 23
AC Shadows has a new patch 1.0.2, many quality of life changes.
While reading patch notes noticed how many things I knew about bugs wise or even wondered about.
For instance sometimes when assassinating an enemy they would die then stand right back up, was a bug.
Mount auto follow path is my favorite new addition to game, the route can be longer due to sticking to roads.
The function goes right through hostile areas, wondering if they can ever interrupt auto follow path.
Typically when controlling mount yourself you can cut through the woods and its faster.
A note is while on auto follow road you will ride by and miss special things like the orbs, pets, chests etc.
The auto follow path in action below, turn on pathfinder (silver line) then turn on follow road.

I cooked up something to eat after putting my mount on auto follow road path.
Xbox store has all the Assassins Creed games on sale 80% off.
Odyssey was on wishlist then saw the bundle deals, it was $200 normally bought Legendary bundle with 6 previous games $39.99 USD.
Haven't played a ton in last couple days, between this game and others too many to play, making other thread for fav games soon.
Doing objective mission ‘Lost Honor’ no spoiler but this is first mission where game auto switches to both characters for different tasks.
This mission is really cool with the switching of characters hope there are more, if not should be.
Not gonna lie but I was not using the special moves until recently level 20ish, man I have been missing out.
On Xbox its hold down right trigger then press like x button once it has adrenaline to use it, majorly improved fighting.
Yasuke has a kick that blast the enemies out of sight and its pretty funny. Naoe has a move attacks like 4 enemies, well well.
You can assign different special abilities to your d pad, go to skill and press assign make sure to assign as many as you can.
Now wonder what else I have been missing out on?
A technique for Yasuke in tough fights with high armor enemies, kick them then use Teppo to strip that armor way better.
The Teppo seems to give a ton of adrenaline saw my special abilities light up fast?

 

[altf404]

Player Observations and Updates:
36:41 hours played, characters level 26
Naoe had some romantic possible answers to some guy, I chose not to use them and it had consequences.
Starting to venture out to a couple more areas,Yamato higher level area by mistake, but can easily assassinate them.
See that I can enter Omi, Iga, Harima all my level or below.
I still have tons of stuff to do in first two areas Izumi Settsu and Yamashiro, these are like states in the USA btw.
Lots of my objective board is locked up into other areas or Yasuka so must do new things.
I installed AC Black Flag and AC Rogue Remastered, playing them a tad but will keep on with AC Shadows.
The other games are much older but have many similar things, fighting at beginning was super basic in Black Flag at least.
The story right now is lacking, its odd jobs and contracts with tons of knowledge point activities.
The gameplay loop looks to be a steady similar grind, I recommend not playing this everyday then its fresh another day.
When things happen including the main story thats when it gets pretty dang exciting.
Im not bored but not super excited atm, this game is best for relaxing, enjoying the atmosphere, and doing simple tasks.
i will most likely not being playing this much next week due to week long season in The Division, my favorite game,