Step into the shadows of Feudal Japan with Assassin’s Creed Shadows-but should you surrender control of your story? Canon Mode strips away all dialogue choices, locking you into the game’s “true” narrative as crafted by Ubisoft. This means no branching paths, no romance options, and no ally recruitment through dialogue-just a streamlined, immersive experience where the story unfolds exactly as intended. But is losing player agency worth the trade-off? Before you start your adventure, discover what Canon Mode really means for your gameplay and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Below, let’s get into what canon mode is in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, alongside some thoughts on whether or not it’s best to play in canon mode.
What is canon mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a gameplay setting that removes all dialogue choices during cutscenes, allowing players to experience the game’s story exactly as the developers intended it to be-the “canon” narrative. When activated at the start of a new game, Canon Mode automatically selects dialogue options for the player, eliminating the opportunity to influence the story or character relationships, including romances and certain ally recruitments. This mode streamlines the narrative by presenting a linear story without branching dialogue, making it ideal for players who prefer a focused, decision-free experience. However, once chosen, Canon Mode cannot be toggled off during that playthrough, so players should decide based on whether they want to explore all content or follow the predetermined storyline.
Canon mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows will remove certain dialogue options (see above) from the game that allow you to influence the story in one way or another. Instead, you’ll be watching the story play out without having the option to affect it.
The introduction of these sorts of dialogue choices in Assassin’s Creed was a somewhat divisive one when it first appeared in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey; in that game, the player would sometimes be presented with multiple dialogue options, and choosing from those options would affect the story. (Valhalla also had some of this; Mirage did not.)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows splits the difference by introducing canon mode. If you don’t play in canon mode, you’ll be presented with various moments when your character can choose from dialogue options that can slightly alter the course of the story. If you play in canon mode, you won’t be presented with those moments.
Should you play canon mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a gameplay option that removes all player dialogue choices during cutscenes, allowing you to experience the story exactly as Ubisoft intended it to be told. Activating Canon Mode locks you out of certain features such as romance options and recruiting specific allies, which means you miss out on some content that depends on player decisions. This mode is ideal for players who prefer a streamlined, linear narrative without the burden of making choices, but it cannot be toggled once the game has started, so the decision must be made at the beginning of a new playthrough. If you value narrative control and want to explore different story outcomes, it is better to play with Canon Mode off, but if you want to enjoy the story as crafted by the developers without distraction, Canon Mode is a suitable choice.
I chose to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows in canon mode, so that means I never have the option to choose any dialogue at all. Instead, I’m just watching cutscenes in which the story plays out the way that it was meant to, within the overarching fiction of Assassin’s Creed as a series – and that’s how I want it to be, personally. I want to see the story that the writers of this game have set up to be the “intended” version.
This has resulted in a couple of moments when it’s obvious that I would have been presented with a choice that I don’t actually get to make, though.
For example, during the “The Perfect Gift” main story mission, as Naoe, you have to select from three possible gifts to present to someone important (leaving them unidentified here for spoiler purposes). When not playing in canon mode, here’s what that choice looks like.
I didn’t get to choose this gift myself, although if I had the option, I would’ve chosen the one that Naoe ended up picking (an antique bamboo tea ladle). Instead, I got to watch her select the gift, and then as I forged ahead in the questline, I watched her present it to its recipient.
Similarly, there have been moments where Assassin’s Creed Shadows presents a choice but it’s really just an illusion. For instance, early on, you need to decide whether or not to let Junjiro, a young child, stay at your Hideout, an enclave of stab-happy individuals possessing very sharp blades. Regardless of what you choose, Junjiro stays at the Hideout. I was never presented with this choice, and yet the outcome is the same as everyone who’s playing with canon mode turned off.
I don’t feel like I’m “missing out” on anything by having chosen to play in canon mode, but if you’re the sort of person who really enjoyed the dialogue options in Odyssey and Valhalla, you shouldn’t activate it. On the other hand, if you prefer to see the story play out on its own in the way it does in early Assassin’s Creed games (and in 2023’s Mirage), then canon mode is the right selection for you.
Should I play Canon Mode to experience the true story of Shadows
If your goal is to experience the “true” story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as envisioned by Ubisoft, then playing in Canon Mode is the recommended option. Canon Mode automatically selects all narrative choices for you, presenting the official, developer-intended storyline-including how key events, ally interactions, and romances unfold-without any input from the player. This mode is designed to align with the broader Assassin’s Creed lore and provides a seamless, cinematic experience without interruption for dialogue decisions.
However, it’s important to note that Canon Mode is entirely optional and cannot be changed once you start your playthrough. If you prefer to shape the story yourself-making decisions about alliances, romances, and character actions-you should leave Canon Mode off, as this allows for a more personalized and interactive experience. You can still follow the canonical path manually if you wish, but you’ll have the freedom to diverge when you choose.
In summary:
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Play Canon Mode if you want the definitive, “true” Assassin’s Creed Shadows narrative without making choices yourself.
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Skip Canon Mode if you value player agency and want to influence the story or replay for different outcomes.
Will I enjoy the story more by experiencing it as intended in Canon Mode
If you want to experience Assassin’s Creed Shadows exactly as Ubisoft’s writers intended-with a seamless, cinematic flow and no branching paths-Canon Mode is the best choice. This mode removes all dialogue choices, romance options, and certain ally recruitment opportunities, presenting the official, lore-consistent narrative without interruptions for player decisions. Many players find this makes the story feel more immersive and the cutscenes more natural, as you’re simply watching events unfold as designed.
However, you should consider what you value most in your experience. Canon Mode delivers a focused, unalterable story, but at the cost of player agency and some optional content. If you enjoy shaping the narrative or exploring different outcomes, you may find the story more engaging in the standard mode, where your choices matter.
Ultimately, you’ll likely enjoy the story more in Canon Mode if you prefer a streamlined, author-driven experience and want to see the “true” version of events. If you value making choices and personalizing your journey, regular mode may be more satisfying.
