A new gameplay video from Assassin's Creed Shadows has recently emerged, providing fans with their first glimpse of Kyoto from a synchronization viewpoint. The footage, courtesy of the Japanese media outlet Impress Watch, features protagonist Naoe scaling a rooftop to unveil an expansive view of the city. However, some fans have noted that Kyoto appears smaller than anticipated, sparking discussions about its design and functionality.

Reddit users who commented on the post praised the aesthetic appeal of Kyoto but expressed concerns about key elements of the Assassin's Creed series, particularly the climbing and parkour mechanics. The footage suggests that the city might not offer extensive opportunities for free-running, which has led to mixed reactions within the community.

Here are some sentiments shared by users on Reddit:

Isn't Kyoto supposed to be about half the size of Paris from Unity? Don't get me wrong, it looks beautiful, and exploring it will definitely be enjoyable, but I was hoping for at least one densely populated city designed for parkour.

It looks great, but it's disappointing that we might be limited to restricted parkour instead of full-on freerunning. Hopefully, the grappling hook will make up for it.

Looks nice, but there aren't enough structures for proper parkour.

While it's visually appealing, it doesn't quite feel like a city. I'm sure it's historically accurate, but it seems lacking when it comes to parkour potential.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on March 20, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. As the launch date approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating more information on how the game's signature mechanics will be integrated into this historically rich setting. While Kyoto may prioritize authenticity over action-packed traversal, only time will tell if the developers have struck the right balance between visual beauty and engaging gameplay.