Assassin`s Creed Shadows - (1/5) Wakasa - Onyu Pass - Swamp

In a series of 5 posts (1/5) I will show you my work on the in-between of the Wakasa Region, Onyu pass (right half) sub-region. I had the privilege to rework and polish it to final quality around 2 square kilometer of game area.

For the swamp area:
I had to completely redesign the zone. I replaced all the vegetation and emphasized the main path, making it clearly traverse through the swamp. Additionally, I introduced various biomes to enhance the atmosphere, playing with the sounds, ensuring the area truly feels like an immersive and distinct swamp environment.

For the sub-region right half:
I also created 6 massive waterfalls, each between 20 and 40 meters high, over 50 medium and small waterfalls, and numerous cascading streams along the rivers. Additionally, I sculpted 3 new rivers and meticulously shaped their banks for realism and gameplay flow. Key crossing points were enhanced with new bridges, ensuring seamless navigation where trade routes intersect with waterways.

The paths, used for trade, were completely re-thematized, including a full lighting pass with lanterns to create an atmospheric and functional travel network. I reworked all vegetation and procedural elements, adding diversity and enhancing the environment’s visual appeal. Hundreds of rocks and boulders were added, while the lakes and dense, inaccessible forests were entirely reworked to create a sense of mystery and exploration.

The result is a dynamic and engaging landscape where my vision for the right half of Only Opass complements the work on the left side (polished by Encho Enchev), creating a cohesive and compelling sub-region.

What I did in Wakasa Region – Onyu pass sub-region (right half) in details:
-L2 + L3 on the in-between of the right half of Onyu Pass
-Created 6 giant waterfalls (20 or 40m tall)
-Added more than 50 medium to small waterfalls in the region
-Added cascades along the watercourses
-Added 3 new big rivers
-Adden many new bridges where rivers cross the road
-Road pass
-Thematization pass (trade roads)
-Erosion pass
-Vegetation pass
-Procedural pass
-Boulders & Cliffs pass
-Decal pass
-Lighting pass on the whole sub-region
-Pass on the swamp
-Pass on the river shores
-Impassible forests pass

Level artists: Radi Avramov
Level Designer: Jade Tam, Celine Chen
Lead Artists: Andon Nedev, Biser Parashkevov
Art Direction: Nikola Stoyanov