When you step into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the sensation of the wind brushing by is nothing short of enchanting. Leaves lift and twirl in the air, grass elegantly sways to and fro, and Naoe’s hair flows gently in the breeze. This breathtaking effect brings life to the game’s ever-changing seasons and weather phenomena. Interestingly, in a revealing conversation with Digital Foundry, some of the game’s rendering engineers disclosed that what we perceive as wind is actually an invisible fluid.
Surprised? It’s true. The realistic wind physics are crafted using fluid simulation, cleverly integrated to mimic movement throughout the game. This is a technique many game developers employ, producing stunning effects in titles as diverse as God of War and Dwarf Fortress. So naturally, it finds its place seamlessly here as well.
The team at Ubisoft refers to its innovative weather system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows as Atmos, purposely designed to complement the seasonal theme of the game. As Naoe embarks on her vengeful journey, shifting between different stages of her life, the seasons transition along with her. One moment, you’ll be trudging through thick layers of winter snow in the picturesque Japanese countryside; the next, you’ll be sprinting across lush fields as the snow melts away. Eventually, you’re even granted the power to change the seasons at will.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not just any visually appealing game; it stands out with its new ray-traced lighting effects. For me, it is the first title where ray tracing feels indispensable to creating an atmosphere that enriches the narrative. Digital Foundry goes into the technical details, but in a nutshell, ray tracing elevates older technologies to more accurately illuminate scenes. Light streams through shoji screens when indoors, while deep shadows cover objects where sunlight doesn’t reach in the open world. Without ray tracing, these contrasts vanish, leaving the environment looking flat. Experts from Digital Foundry describe this as a “generational divide in lighting fidelity.”
This game makes a compelling case for upgrading to a PlayStation 5 Pro or a high-end gaming PC with the latest Nvidia 50-series graphics cards. On the Pro, the game impressively maintains a fluid 60 frames per second with ray tracing activated, and an upcoming update will include full support for Sony’s PSSR upscaling technology. Meanwhile, on PC, DLSS and Frame Generation make it a breeze to hit 60 fps with an RTX 4070 or newer.
The hefty power behind these platforms is well utilized, not just for the remarkable lighting. It enhances the dynamic elements, like the fluidity of the wind or the satisfying action of slicing through bamboo, echoing the interactive charm found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t merely about achieving hyper-realism; it sets a new standard by using the prowess of modern computing to create a world that feels vibrant and alive.
