Formerly known as Assassin's Creed Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows has just unveiled an official premiere trailer and a surprising amount of information about the game's protagonists, combat, and open world. As Naoe, the fictional daughter of real historical figure Fujibayashi Nagato, and Yasuke, who is based on the legendary African Samurai, players will be allowed to swap between stealth-focused and action-oriented gameplay as they progress through Assassin's Creed Shadows' story. This means veteran Assassin's Creed fans will get their wish of the series coming back to its roots while still having the RPG elements of the franchise's modern era available to them at any time. It may also be the perfect time for newcomers to get into Assassin's Creed, simply due to the diverse gameplay offered by Assassin's Creed Shadows.

In proper Ubisoft fashion, the premiere trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows is an electric cinematic spectacle, and while it doesn't reveal any actual gameplay footage, a great deal of information about its gameplay is nonetheless disclosed in what is shown. At the very end of the trailer, Naoe is seen performing a classic Assassin's Creed assassination on a frightened enemy, but there is something special about the assassination that only longtime Assassin's Creed fans may notice. Specifically, rather than using a normal Hidden Blade on her enemy, Naoe uses what has become known as a Pivot Blade against him, allowing her to pivot around his attack and assassinate him from the side. This is not the first time the Pivot Blade has made an appearance in Assassin's Creed, but it has certainly been a while since it was last seen.

Related

How Assassin's Creed Shadows' Protagonists Complement Each Other

Based on what has been revealed by Ubisoft and the premiere trailer, Assassin's Creed Shadows' protagonists will complement one another in gameplay.

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Pivot Blade Explained

Assassin's Creed Shadow's Pivot Blade Was First Introduced in Assassin's Creed 3

Assassin's Creed's Pivot Blade dates back to Assassin's Creed 3, which was nearly twelve years ago. In Assassin's Creed 3, players control Connor, the son of Haytham Kenway and grandson of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag's protagonist, Edward Kenway. As Connor, players navigate 18th-century Colonial America to avenge his mother's death and prevent the Templars from having any influence or control on the outcome of the American Revolution.

At the time of Assassin's Creed 3's release, Connor was presented differently than any protagonist the series had ever seen, being the descendant of a Templar. However, one other very significant feature set him apart from others: his Pivot Blade. With it, he could perform assassination maneuvers that no other Assassin before him had been able to pull off — at least, from the players' perspective. Just as Naoe is seen pivoting around her opponent's attack in the premiere trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows, Connor could do the same to his most naive foes.

How Assassin's Creed Shadow's Pivot Blade Works

While the Hidden Blade allows Assassins to strike their enemies directly in front of them, the Pivot Blade allows them to strike from the side. The Hidden Blade normally extends from the user's wrist, but the Pivot Blade allows the user to rotate the Hidden Blade 90 degrees so that it functions as more of a dagger than a typical Hidden Blade. Assassins can either hold it like a hammer or an ice pick, which not only allows for special assassination maneuvers but also a more practical approach to direct confrontations. More so than the Hidden Blade allows, Assassins can evade their opponents while still having an opportunity to assassinate them without facing them.

Even though no gameplay footage has been revealed yet for Assassin's Creed Shadows, it's already certain that Naoe will be wielding the Pivot Blade like Assassin's Creed 3's Connor once did. Just as Assassin's Creed Shadows gives players two protagonists with diverse approaches to combat, the presence of the Pivot Blade is just another way the upcoming installment will attempt to keep things fresh while simultaneously throwing in a bit of nostalgia for the series' most dedicated fans.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Previously known as Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an upcoming game in Ubisoft's open-world franchise. Set in Feudal Japan, Shadows includes two playable characters, a ninja assassin specializing in stealth and a samurai who focuses on power.

Franchise

Assassin's Creed

Developer(s)

Ubisoft Quebec

Publisher(s)

Ubisoft