Assassin’s Creed Shadows Canon Mode, Explained

Published Mar 11, 2025

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Custom Image by: Tom Wilson

Assassin's Creed Shadows shakes up the series' formula by introducing new features, improving its open world by reducing the huge amounts of handholding, and putting a bigger emphasis on narrative. These changes are absolutely for the better as they make Shadows stand out from Ubisoft's overly familiar structure that fans had grown tired of.

One of the biggest changes that AC Shadows makes to the original Assassin's Creed formula is the introduction of the Canon mode, a new narrative feature that drastically changes how players approach the game. It is such a monumental addition that it drastically improved Shadows for many players, but others may be a little unsure what it is, or if it is even the right choice for them. Fortunately, it is quite a simple addition despite the fact that it significantly changes the overall experience.

How Canon Mode Works In Assassin’s Creed Shadows

It Picks The Story Options For You

Assassin's Creed Shadows features a number of dialogue choices that impact the course of the game. It also allows players to choose which character they control during certain main missions. All of this coalesces to make it a player-driven experience, one in which players direct how they want Assassin's Creed Shadows' dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke's, story to unfold. The Canon mode completely removes all of this player agency and streamlines AC Shadow's narrative, making it simpler for the player.

Players choose at the start whether they want to play with either the Canon mode or the more directed narrative mode. If they pick the Canon mode, all dialogue choices will be made for them, and they won't be able to pick who to play as during each mission - they will be able to still switch at will during the open-world exploration segments. This was explained by AC Shadow's narrative director, Brooke Davis, in an interview about Shadows' story with Screenrant.

Ubisoft has picked the canonical narrative path, and by picking the Canon mode, that is what players will experience.

Davis explained that "when [Canon mode] is on, the game will unfold as if you had made those choices, but you won't see them," with the choices referring to the dialogue choices players make throughout each mission. Ostensibly, Ubisoft has picked the canonical narrative path, and by picking the Canon mode, that is what players will experience. It may give less player agency, but it makes for a more focused experience.

How Canon Mode Is Different From Other AC Games

It Is A Brand New Feature

Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe looking out over the horizon.

Previous Assassin's Creed games - specifically the more modern RPGs from Origins to Valhalla - have given players dialogue options that they can use to shape their protagonist. It is a common feature in RPGs, one that allows players to feel like they're a part of the story and have some form of influence over it. However, with the Canon mode, fans can return to the more structured storytelling method of the original Assassin's Creed games, without having to worry about making these potentially huge decisions.

AC Shadows woman character looking at a blade

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It also allows Ubisoft to better craft a narrative around Naoe and Yasuke, giving it more agency over who they are and how their stories unfold, while still giving those who would rather do that for themselves the option to. Assassin's Creed Shadows' Canon mode adds further replayability to the game, as players can always try it to see how their choices differ from the canonical ones. Ultimately, Assassin's Creed Shadows' Canon mode is an amazing addition that gives more options to those who want them.