You should play Assassin’s Creed Shadows in Canon Mode for one key reason

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Canon Mode lets you play the game in a way that ensures the “correct version of the story” plays out. While it removes some player control, it’s a vital choice for one simple reason — it’s easier.

Canon Mode is exactly what the name suggests, it makes sure that this chapter of the long-running series doesn’t deviate from the overarching Assassin’s Creed narrative. This means that any decisions Yasuke and Naoe make will fit in with the set-out timeline, rather than deviate from it.

As such, Shadows ends up playing out like Mirage and some of the older AC games, in that the story is laid out for you. Those who enjoy games like Mass Effect, Avowed, and The Witcher, which rely on choices to drive the story, may find this a little jarring, but don’t let it put you off, as it’s easily the best way to play.

Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed Shadows features two protagonists.

The case for Canon

You’d be forgiven for originally planning to play Shadows in standard mode, manipulating events to suit your playstyle, ethics, and interpretation of what these characters would and should do. However, all this does is lead to some questionable consequences that you now can’t go back on and force an ending you’ll never see followed on from, because it’s not canon.

Playing in Canon Mode and letting go of the control created a more ride-or-die mentality. It takes away the responsibility to be the good guy and make wise decisions, instead, whatever happened was meant to be.

There will be some moments where you’ll want to take one direction over another, if only for the potential rewards, convenience, and likely preference of being a sneaky shinobi over a samurai, but this is a price worth paying. Even if you’re not a committed Assassin’s Creed fan, there’s something to be said for just sitting back and enjoying the correct version of the story.

After all, doing so allows the game to be more immersive and lets you focus on what is already a complicated story without wondering which pot you need to choose for the Tea Ceremony. It makes the game easier to follow, easier to digest, and allows you to truly have fun without game-changing consequences.

On top of this, Assassin’s Creed’s lore is confusing and convoluted enough without having to make those decisions. As such, new players will likely appreciate being guided down the right narrative path, especially if you’re playing the entire series, as the games do sometimes overlap, leading to odd timelines if you’ve made a non-canon decision.

So, should you play Assassin’s Creed Shadows in Canon Mode? Absolutely. If you’re a committed warrior in the ancient feud between Templars and Assassins and want to know what really went down in sixteenth-century Japan, then activate this mode as it absolves you of responsibility for your murderous deeds and is guaranteed to make your adventure all the more enjoyable. And remember, nothing is true, and everything is permitted — especially when you don’t make the choices.