In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players are introduced to a vast and open world that encourages exploration. However, with so many paths available from the start, it can be overwhelming to determine which actions to prioritize. There are several key steps that can significantly enhance the experience early on, especially before diving too deep into the world of feudal Japan. It’s important to complete these tasks early to make the initial stages more manageable.
The beginning of the game features two short prologues, one played as Yasuke and another as Naoe. After this, the game focuses solely on Naoe for approximately the first eight to ten hours. As such, most early-game recommendations revolve around this section.
Synchronize Frequently
Synchronization, a hallmark of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, offers immediate advantages. Early synchronization not only provides valuable experience points for leveling but also reveals fast travel points across the map.
Given the scale of the Japanese setting, unlocking fast travel locations is incredibly beneficial. Players are encouraged to synchronize at every new area to simplify returning to those places later. The journey to these high points also tends to be rewarding, often leading to unexpected encounters, additional loot, and bonus experience.
Clear Katano Castle
One of the notable challenges encountered early in exploration is Katano Castle, located west of the Hideout. This fortress, like many others scattered throughout the game, contains dangerous enemies but also holds valuable treasures.
Among the most worthwhile rewards found here are Legendary Chests, which are locked until enough Samurai Daisho are defeated. These chests contain powerful gear and weapons, including an armor piece in Katano Castle that allows for an additional katana throw after a successful assassination — an advantage that can greatly benefit early gameplay.
Discover Kuji Kiris
Kuji Kiris are serene locations that offer glimpses into Naoe’s past through meditation. While they don’t yield much in terms of physical loot, they grant experience, a Knowledge Point, and background on Naoe’s life before the events of the game.
The first Kuji Kiri is located in the Hideout, with others scattered in regions such as Kawachi Heights, Rolling Glen, Nanatsu Matsu, and Eboshigata Hachiman Shrine. These locations are essential for those interested in narrative depth and character development.
Expand Your Knowledge
Apart from Kuji Kiris, other map markers provide opportunities to gather Knowledge. These usually appear as orange icons or question marks and often involve minor objectives like collecting pages or visiting Shrines.
By focusing with L2 on PlayStation or right-clicking on PC, players can identify glowing white indicators that lead to these Knowledge sources. Completing them contributes to understanding the world while also granting useful rewards.
Unlock Kakuregas
While traveling, players may see a message indicating that a Kakurega has been unlocked. These locations serve as safe zones similar to Homesteads and enable fast travel, resupplying, and upgrading the Hideout.
However, the message itself does not finalize the unlock. To fully access a Kakurega, players must open the map, select the Kakurega marker, and pay 800 mon to activate it.
Construct a Forge
The Forge at the Hideout is vital, both for completing a quest from Tomiko and for maintaining weapon viability throughout the story. It allows players to upgrade existing weapons, ensuring they remain useful as enemies become more formidable.
Even though stronger weapons may be found during the journey, the Forge provides consistent reliability by enhancing older gear as needed.
Build a Study and Upgrade the Stable
While working on the Forge, it’s also advantageous to construct a Study and enhance the Stable. The Study adds an additional Scout and reduces the size of the search zone by 25%, streamlining resource collection.
Upgrading the Stable decreases the number of Scouts required to retrieve resources from stockpiles from two to one, doubling efficiency when gathering critical supplies. Both upgrades support Hideout development and overall progression.
Take On Contracts for Resources
Inside the Kakurega building at the Hideout, there’s a central table listing available contracts. These are short side missions that reward players with resources used for building and upgrading structures.
Only three contracts can be active at any time, but new ones are added regularly. They can be completed opportunistically while exploring or progressing nearby story missions.
Improve the Kakurega Building
Side Quests can be triggered by assisting people in the world and learning rumors. However, these opportunities typically require proactive exploration. By upgrading the Kakurega building, helpful tips and quest leads begin to appear automatically at the start of each season.
This reduces the need to seek out side content manually and lets valuable information come to the player, allowing for a more streamlined adventure.
Complete the Kabukimono Side Quest
In the Amagasaki region, a man near the southwest of Senri Hills reveals that a group of flamboyantly dressed samurai are wreaking havoc. This starts the Kabukimono side quest, which tasks players with hunting down five of eight samurai.
Each target yields 5,000 XP and several Mastery Points. These rewards are particularly impactful early in the game, giving a strong boost to progression. After eliminating the initial group, the remaining samurai become available later on, though they present a greater challenge.
Choose Main Quests Based on Desired Rewards
After entering the open world, players are presented with two primary assassination quests: the Golden Teppo Quest and the Wada Koretake Quest. The decision on which to pursue first should depend on the type of legendary weapon desired.
Completing the Wada Koretake Quest grants a legendary Kusarigama, while the Golden Teppo Quest rewards a legendary Tanto. The Tanto offers an upgrade enabling double assassinations, making it ideal for stealth-focused players. On the other hand, the Kusarigama excels in combat against groups, benefiting those who prefer direct confrontation.
Read more about hidden features in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.