If you’re just jumping intoAssassin’s Creed Shadows, you’re going to have a ton of options when it comes to setting up your campaign. One decision you’ll have to make before you start playing is whether you want the original Japanese and Portuguese audio or the English audio. By selecting the Immersive Mode option, audio will be a blend of Japanese and Portuegese. If you aren’t fluent in both languages, Immersive Mode entails reading lots of subtitles.
In my experience, however, Immersive Mode is absolutely worth it based on the audiovoiceover acting qualitybetween the two versions. If you aren’t keen on reading subtitles, you’ll be missing out on Miyuri Shimabukuro’s incredible performance as Naoe, which is notable in the context ofAC Shadows, which has a somewhat dense plot and abundant dialogue. Naoe is constantly talking to herself throughout the game, andthe audio language you choose can’t be changed after you start, making this a pretty consequential decision in terms of your narrative experience.
Immersive Mode Audio In Assassin’s Creed Shadows Can’t Be Changed
You’re Locked In For The Entire Game, So Choose Wisely
If you want the best experience with Naoe and the other characters inAC Shadows,the clear audio choice is with Immersive Mode on. Like many of the options you have when setting up a campaign, the choice to enable Immersive Mode cannot be changed. You are locked in to your decision for the entirety of your campaign.
Whether you think so or not, this will dramatically change your experience with the narrative elements of the game. If you don’t care so much about the story or acting quality, and/or don’t enjoy reading subtitles,gameplay inAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis not affected dramatically by this decision.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Canon Mode, Explained
Assassin’s Creed Shadows gives players multiple narrative modes to choose from at the start, including the brand-new and unique Canon mode.
Before you jump the gun though, bear in mind thatAC Shadowsis extremely narrative-dense, especially in the first few hours of the campaign. There’s an abundance of dramatic cut scenes whereboth protagonists Naoe and Yasukeengage in lengthy dialogue, so you’ll be hearing their voices a lot. As an English speaker, my gut instinct was to choose the English audio and avoid excessive reading, but this turned out to be a massive mistake -the Japanese and Portuguese voice acting compared to English is night and day.
Why You Should Play With Immersive Mode Audio In Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Japanese & Portuguese Voice Acting Is Noticeably Better Than English
The beginning ofAC Shadowsis very narrative-dense, and before you everreach your Hideout,there is a lot of backstory to wade through that ultimately sets the stage for the main quests. Having sat through the introductory stages of the game listening to both the English and Japanese/Portuguese versions, the quality of the English version just doesn’t stand up to the Japanese and Portuguese voice work. This is not to say that the English voice acting is bad, but more so that the Japanese/Portuguese voice acting is remarkably good.
One scene in particular among the opening sequences that is noticeably better in Japanese is Naoe’s father’s death. Shimabukuro’s performance here is gut-wrenching and makes the scene so much more impactful than the English version. Further, both playable characters are constantly speaking to themselves, and for some reason, listening to this in English is incredibly awkward. Instead of feeling like an internal monologue,it feels like the fourth wall is being broken and Naoe/Yasuke are speaking directly to the player.The Japanese and Portuguese audio simply doesn’t break immersion in this way, hence “Immersive Mode.”
The best way to experience the story ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis without a doubt with Immersive Mode turned on.
Ultimately, Immersive Mode delivers on its promise.The Japanese and Portuguese audio is far superior in bringing you into the gameand investing you in the story in impactful ways. On the flip side, the English voice acting doesn’t really hold up, and by comparison, takes you out of the story at times, especially during exploration. The best way to experience the story ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis without a doubt with Immersive Mode turned on, enabling Japanese/Portuguese audio and giving you a truly more immersive experience.
