Noting the fan base’s division on branching choices, creative director Jonathan Dumont says Canon Mode offers a “choice-free experience.”

Assassin’s Creed Shadows creative director Jonathan Dumont revealed in a recent Reddit AMA that the main journey would be comparable to Origins/Odyssey and Valhalla, which isn’t the most specific measurement. However, he also revealed that choices would play “less of a branching role” in the core narrative than in Odyssey.

In a follow-up comment, Dumont noted that choices occur when “recruiting allies” or deepening bonds with some characters. Given branching dialogue tends to “divide” the fan base, there will be an optional Canon Mode. It “allows you to play the game with choices already made for you, to give you a choice-free experience.”

It should leave out any ambiguity when it comes to the overall lore. However, more importantly, players won’t be forced to pursue certain decisions for their playthrough to maintain the canon (like Odyssey’s controversial Legacy of the First Blade DLC). Of course, how Naoe and Yasuke will end up when all is said and done remains to be seen.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on February 14th, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. You can check out recent details on the combat, from the different weapons each character uses to the skills and enemy types.