Assassin's Creed Valhalla's extensive gameplay drew criticism, prompting Ubisoft to refine the experience in its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed: Shadows. The developers have addressed concerns about overwhelming optional content, aiming for a more balanced blend of narrative and side activities.

Game director Charles Benoit estimates a 50-hour completion time for the main storyline, with approximately 100 hours needed for full exploration and side quests. This contrasts with Valhalla's minimum 60-hour main story and potential 150-hour completion time. Ubisoft's stated goal is to avoid overwhelming players while maintaining a rich and detailed world. The intention is to provide a satisfying experience for both players prioritizing story progression and those seeking extensive gameplay.

Director Jonathan Dumont highlighted the impact of the team's research trip to Japan on the game's development. The scale and realism of Japanese castles, mountains, and forests significantly influenced the design, leading to a greater emphasis on detail and geographic accuracy.

A key change involves world geography. Unlike Odyssey, where points of interest are frequently clustered, Shadows features a more expansive and natural landscape. Travel times will be longer, but locations will offer increased depth and detail, creating a more immersive Japanese atmosphere. Dumont emphasizes the significantly higher level of detail in Shadows, promising a truly authentic Japanese experience.