Why Can't You Kill Animals In Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Shadows Of London? Ubisoft Answers

David

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Post on May 21, 2025

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<h1>Why Can't You Kill Animals in Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Shadows of London? Ubisoft Answers</h1>

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Shadows of London, the highly anticipated DLC expansion, has players exploring a gritty, atmospheric recreation of 9th-century London. However, one noticeable change has left many fans scratching their heads: the inability to kill animals. Why the sudden shift in gameplay mechanics? Ubisoft has finally offered an explanation.

The lack of animal killing in Shadows of London isn't a random oversight; it's a deliberate design choice tied directly to the game's narrative and overall experience. Unlike the main game, where hunting animals was a core gameplay loop providing resources and crafting materials, Shadows of London prioritizes a different kind of interaction with the environment.

<h2>A Different Kind of Beast: Shifting Gameplay Focus</h2>

Ubisoft's reasoning, revealed through various developer interviews and community updates, centers on the game's darker, more morally ambiguous setting. Shadows of London focuses heavily on stealth, investigation, and navigating the complex social structures of a sprawling, crime-ridden city. The developers felt that allowing players to freely kill animals would detract from this carefully crafted atmosphere.

<p>Think about it: the brutal realities of 9th-century London are already palpable. Adding the ability to gratuitously slaughter animals would clash with the intended tone and potentially desensitize players to the already present violence and suffering within the narrative. The focus is on human conflict, political intrigue, and the grim realities of the era, not on hunting for resources.</p>

<h2>Gameplay Considerations: Optimization and Narrative Coherence</h2>

Beyond the narrative considerations, technical limitations played a part. Integrating a full hunting system into the densely populated, already complex environment of London would have been a significant undertaking. The developers prioritized optimizing the game for performance and stability within the confines of the DLC's scope. Adding a hunting system, however intricate, could have negatively impacted the overall experience.

<h3>Alternative Activities: Exploring London's Underbelly</h3>

Instead of hunting, players are encouraged to engage with the richly detailed world of Shadows of London through other means. There's a wealth of side quests, mysteries to solve, and characters to interact with. The city itself is a living, breathing entity, full of secrets to uncover and challenges to overcome.

• Investigation: The DLC heavily emphasizes investigation and detective work, requiring players to use their skills to gather information and solve crimes.
• Stealth: The intricate level design rewards stealthy approaches, encouraging players to utilize Eivor’s skills to navigate the city's treacherous streets unnoticed.
• Social Interaction: Engaging with the diverse population of London offers a unique and rewarding experience, providing insight into the lives of ordinary people living in a time of immense change.

<h2>The Verdict: A Calculated Risk</h2>

While some fans may lament the absence of animal killing, Ubisoft's decision appears to be a deliberate one, prioritizing narrative coherence and gameplay optimization within the context of Shadows of London. The DLC focuses on a different kind of experience, one that emphasizes stealth, investigation, and exploration in a richly detailed and atmospheric environment. Instead of hunting, players are invited to explore the dark secrets of 9th-century London and immerse themselves in a captivating narrative experience. The shift may not appeal to all players, but it clearly aligns with the DLC's overall design goals.

What are your thoughts on this change? Share your opinions in the comments below!