Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings players into another sweeping, breathtaking world, so immense that it might just leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. In epic open-world RPGs like this one, having a clear and user-friendly map is essential. Equally important is the objectives screen, which helps you manage the main storyline and countless side quests as you interact with NPCs and explore new areas. I must say, the objectives menu in Shadows is one of the best I’ve seen: it builds upon the recent updates in the franchise’s quest maps, offering an easy-to-navigate system that deepens my engagement with both the world and its narrative.
The objectives screen in Shadows takes a concept the series explored in Odyssey, Valhalla, and Mirage and really runs with it. With a layout reminiscent of a family tree, it neatly organizes quests by regions, quest types, and the characters you assist along the way.
Unlike many games where branching objectives are hidden—requiring you to complete a set of tasks to unlock the primary quest—Shadows lays it all out for you. It’s candid about the multi-step nature of many tasks. By visually connecting each quest to a person or region, it offers a more accurate representation of your progress than the usual list of vanished tasks.
Moreover, the different sections of the objectives screen mirror various parts of the game or its world, evolving with your own individual playstyle and priorities. Tasks are categorized by their relevance to your journey, not by the level of skill needed to complete them. In my gameplay, I’ve focused on assassination missions, resulting in many more completed objectives than some of my colleagues, who directed their efforts elsewhere.
Until now, I hadn’t truly delved into Odyssey, Mirage, or even Valhalla, so Shadows marks my first encounter with such a styled objectives screen in an open-world RPG. I’m genuinely fond of it. It’s visually appealing without feeling cluttered and helps me feel more immersed in my role, giving purpose to my actions rather than reducing them to impersonal checklists.
Even my colleagues who are well-versed in the franchise’s recent entries agree that Shadows’ objectives screen is the most refined installment to date. Despite the presence of some worn-out RPG mechanics, the way the franchise innovates in showing your objectives makes your efforts feel truly impactful. Your actions in the game feel like they matter, reshaping the world around you with each choice.
