Romance Is Too “Personal” to Be Canon: Why Assassin’s Creed Shadows Ditches Love Stories in its Canon Mode
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The highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows is making waves for its ambitious new features, including a dual-protagonist narrative and a vibrant feudal Japan setting. However, one new mechanic, the “Canon Mode,” has sparked a fascinating debate, particularly concerning its relationship with romance options. In a recent Reddit AMA, a developer from Ubisoft explained the rationale behind a design choice that has significant implications for how players experience the game’s story: romance is completely absent from Canon Mode because it’s considered too “personal” to be a part of the official, pre-determined narrative.
This decision represents a significant shift for the franchise, which has, in recent years, embraced extensive RPG elements, including a wide array of romanceable characters in games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The core idea behind Canon Mode is to provide a streamlined, movie-like experience for players who prefer to follow a single, definitive storyline. By activating this mode at the beginning of a new game, dialogue choices are removed, and the narrative unfolds exactly as the developers intended it. This ensures that every player who chooses Canon Mode will have the same, “official” experience, but it comes at the cost of player agency, particularly in matters of the heart.
The Rationale Behind the Decision
The developer, identified as “Luc” in the AMA,for an AC RPG game,it was better to not make [romance] canon and let each player define their own canon for this. “It is something that is so personal. We felt,for an AC RPG game,it was better to not make [romance] canon and let each player define their own canon for this.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the new philosophy at play.While past titles have allowed players to pursue a variety of romantic partners,the development team for Assassin’s Creed Shadows decided that locking one romance into the official lore would be too restrictive and would contradict the personal,role-playing nature of those relationships.
In the game’s standard mode,which is the default, players are free to pursue romance with multiple characters for both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. The romance options, which are clearly marked with a heart icon in dialogue choices, include both same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. However, if a player opts for Canon Mode, these choices are completely removed, and Naoe and Yasuke remain single throughout the entire journey. While some NPCs may still flirt with the protagonists,there is no option to flirt back or pursue a deeper connection. This is a clear signal from Ubisoft that they view these romantic subplots as optional,non-essential elements of the narrative, designed to enhance the individual player’s experience rather than to be a part of the series’ overarching lore.
A Response to Past Backlash and a New Direction
This decision can be seen as a direct response to some of the fan feedback from previous titles. With games like Odyssey,where the sheer number of romantic options and the lack of a “definitive” romantic partner led some fans to complain about a fragmented narrative, Ubisoft seems to be trying a new approach. The creation of a Canon Mode is a clever way to appeal to both RPG fans who love having choices and to franchise veterans who prefer a more linear, story-driven experience akin to the earlier games.
By making romance a non-canon element, Ubisoft is giving players the best of both worlds. Those who want to explore the romantic side of the game can do so in the regular mode, while those who want to follow the “official” story without distractions can choose Canon Mode. This approach allows the developers to create more personal and meaningful romantic subplots without having to worry about how those choices will impact future games or tie-in media. It frees them from the difficult task of retroactively choosing a “canon” partner for the protagonists, a task that often proves to be controversial with the fan base.
Ultimately, the decision to exclude romance from the Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a strategic move to create a more focused and universally accepted narrative. It shows that Ubisoft is listening to player feedback and is willing to experiment with new ways of storytelling in their blockbuster series. While some players may be disappointed that their chosen love story isn’t part of the official lore, the vast majority of players will appreciate having the choice to craft their own personal story, while also having the option to experience the “definitive” canon without any distractions. It’s a compromise that seems to satisfy everyone, and it’s a bold new direction for the franchise.