Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to be released in a few months, and Ubisoft is now sharing more details about the game. A new series of changes will challenge players to explore with less hand-holding. The new exploration mechanics in Shadows were discussed in a blog post on the official Ubisoft website. Among the new additions to Assassin’s Creed Shadows were “major changes […] to foster a unique sense of discovery as you roam the world.”

To do this, the game will encourage exploration and investigation without as many indicators. “We didn’t want to hold the player’s hand too much with icons and markers. We wanted to craft an open world where information was key and would become a form of reward,” the blog post said. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was recently delayed, is now set for release on Mar. 20, 2025.

The full blog post takes a deep dive into the exploration changes, with the World Map receiving some hefty updates. In Shadows, the map will only reveal region names and drawings that hint at key locations. By exploring, more of the map details will be unlocked, and by visiting new regions and landmarks, the clarity of the map will improve for players. The new map will offer different zoom levels, each with its own levels of information to help players with quest objectives.

Viewpoints / Synchronization points are also making their return to the Assassin’s Creed franchise in Shadows, but they too will be revamped for the new title. Viewpoints will reveal nearby points of interest and unlock a Fast Travel point — though Ubisoft teases some of them will be located in enemy-controlled territories that are challenging to escape. “Safe houses” will serve as Fast Travel points for players looking to get around the map without the danger of being inside enemy-controlled territories.

“You are the Eagle” Assassin’s Creed Shadow Dev Teases New Exploration Methods

Completing quests on a more micro level requires important new observation mechanics in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. “We don’t have any companion Eagle to help you; now, you are the Eagle,” Ubisoft teased, adding that players will need to find good vantage points to observe their surrounding areas. “Observing is crucial in helping you find your quest objectives, your targets, or any clues in a location, especially when you’re investigating a zone identified by your scouts.”

As players progress through the game, scouts will help them locate objectives and gather important resources, making them central to exploration. “When uncertain about the location of an opportunity or a target, consult your World Map and deploy scouts to scan ahead and reveal a more precise location for your quest objectives,” Ubisoft shared. As scouts help open up more of the map, players can also use other tools at their disposal, like the Pathfinder, to help them take the most optimal path for their marked objectives.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to be released on Mar. 20, 2025.