The *Assassin’s Creed* series has long been celebrated for its deep dive into various historical cultures. With *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Ubisoft introduces players to 16th Century Japan, offering an even more immersive experience through its new Immersive Mode. Here's a comprehensive look at what this mode brings to the game.
What Does Immersive Mode Do in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Traditionally, *Assassin’s Creed* games feature dialogue in a modernized format, often not reflecting the native languages of the characters. *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* follows suit, with the majority of the dialogue presented in the player's chosen language. However, Immersive Mode revolutionizes this by locking the voiceover language to Japanese, providing a more authentic and historically accurate experience. This mode also includes Portuguese dialogue when appropriate, reflecting the presence of Jesuits in Japan and interactions involving the character Yasuke.
By allowing characters to speak in their historical context, Immersive Mode significantly enhances the game's immersion, making *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* feel more connected to the real history it draws upon. While previous games offered similar experiences through language dubs, such as the Arabic dub in *Mirage*, Immersive Mode marks a significant advancement for the franchise.
Should You Turn On Immersive Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Screenshot by The Escapist
The primary trade-off of enabling Immersive Mode is missing out on the performances by the main English voice cast. However, the Japanese and Portuguese voice actors in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* are reportedly just as talented, ensuring a high-quality audio experience.
Additionally, the game offers extensive subtitle options, allowing players to read the dialogue in their preferred language while still benefiting from Immersive Mode. This mode can be toggled on or off at any time through the audio settings menu, requiring only a reload to the last save for the changes to take effect. Unlike the game's Canon Mode, Immersive Mode does not lock players into a choice for the entire playthrough, making it easy to experiment with and decide if it enhances your experience.
For those seeking the most authentic historical experience, Immersive Mode is a compelling choice, effectively transporting players back to 16th Century Japan. We hope to see such immersive features in future *Assassin’s Creed* titles.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
