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

*Assassin's Creed Shadows* transports players into the rich and immersive world of Feudal Japan, offering a vast open world to explore. However, your journey begins with a prologue that sets the stage for the adventures ahead. Here's when you can start exploring the open world in *Assassin's Creed Shadows*.

How Long is the Assassin's Creed Shadows Prologue? Answered

Ubisoft has a history of creating expansive open worlds, yet they often precede them with lengthy introductions. Fortunately, *Assassin's Creed Shadows* keeps the wait relatively short before you can delve into the heart of Japan.

The game's prologue introduces you to the world and the dual protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe. Through their eyes, you'll get acquainted with the Samurai and Shinobi cultures. You'll also explore Iga, Naoe's homeland, before she embarks on her journey across Japan. This engaging section, filled with both cinematic moments and expository dialogue, takes approximately an hour and a half to complete.

Once you've finished the "From Spark to Flame" Quest and established your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko's Homestead, the gates to the open world swing open for exploration.

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

After completing the prologue, you'll find yourself in the Izumi Settsu region, one of the nine named areas available at launch. Initially, your quests and side activities will be centered around this region, gradually expanding to the north into the Yamashiro province.

While the narrative and certain quests may tether Naoe and Yasuke to specific locations, you have the freedom to venture into other provinces. However, two key factors might deter you from doing so right away.

Firstly, the lack of quests and activities in other regions means you might not find much to do there early on. Secondly, *Assassin's Creed Shadows* incorporates RPG elements, requiring players to reach certain levels to effectively engage in combat in different areas. These level requirements are indicated on the map with a red diamond, signaling that you're far below the recommended level for that region. Attempting to explore these areas prematurely could lead to challenging encounters, with some enemies capable of defeating you swiftly.

In summary, while you can technically rush to higher-level regions, it's not advisable and could result in a frustrating experience. It's best to progress through the game's story and level up accordingly before venturing into more challenging territories.