Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers an expansive open world set in Feudal Japan, but eager explorers will need to wait until after the prologue to roam freely. Here's when you can dive into the open world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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

Ubisoft, renowned for its vast open worlds, often precedes them with lengthy introductions. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows breaks this trend by offering a shorter wait before players can explore Japan.

The game kicks off with a prologue that sets the stage for the dual-protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, and their roles within the world. This section introduces the Samurai and Shinobi perspectives and acquaints players with Iga, Naoe's homeland, before she ventures beyond. Filled with epic set pieces and narrative exposition, the prologue is expected to take around an hour and a half to complete.

Once you finish the "From Spark to Flame" Quest and establish your Kakurega (Hideout) at Tomiko’s Homestead, the open world becomes accessible for exploration.

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

Upon gaining access to the open world, you'll start in Izumi Settsu, one of the nine regions available at launch. Initially, quests and side activities will be centered around this region before expanding north to Yamashiro province.

Although the game allows you to travel to other provinces, there are limitations to consider. The first is the availability of quests and activities; these unlock progressively throughout the story, so venturing into new regions prematurely might not be rewarding. Additionally, Assassin’s Creed Shadows incorporates RPG elements, requiring players to reach certain levels to effectively engage in combat within different provinces. You can check these level requirements on the map, where regions marked with a number in a red diamond indicate areas where you are significantly underleveled. Entering these zones too early can lead to challenging encounters, with some enemies capable of instant kills.

In summary, while you can technically explore higher-level regions early on, it's advisable to wait until you're adequately prepared to ensure a more enjoyable experience.