Assassin`s Creed Shadows - Ominesanji Temple (1/3) - Ruins

As the Owner of Ominesanji Temple, I was responsible for designing every aspect of the level art of location, from the initial layout concept to the final polished version.

The location was featured in the game’s early gameplay trailers. It is located at the Sanjōgatake peak of Mount Ōmine in Yamato region, offering stunning reveal points and breathtaking views across the valley in all directions.

Once the headquarters of the Shugendo sect of Buddhism in Japan, the temple is now a hauntingly abandoned ruin. Burned not long ago (before the game timeframe) and overgrown with vegetation, the charred remains of the temple offer a mysterious atmosphere.

Within the central courtyard, a dramatic arena hosts intense battles, while the surrounding ruins hide countless secrets for players to uncover.

The location is built across two levels: the upper level, home to the temple ruins, features the remains of the temple and the arena, while the lower level offers cascading waterfalls, natural springs, and hidden shrines across trekking paths and storytelling moments.

Omine Sanji Temple balances exploration, storytelling, and combat, creating an unforgettable experience for players. Worked in close collaboration with Level Designer Martin Panicharov and Quest Designer Svilen Chernev.

What I did in details:

The whole environment from start to finish
- Initial concept of the layout
- 3D Blackout
- Polish
All the terrain work
- Topology – created multiple-level navigation
- Added many waterfalls on the side cliffs
- Vegetation passes – the location is overgrown and abandoned
- Rocks pass – the whole area is surrounded by giant walls of rocks
- TPSs – the types of vegetations
- Reveal points work
- Added Propping
- Added abandoned buildings
- Puddle work for wetness
- Decal work for erosions, moss and dirt
- Prepared for Level Design functions
- Lighting Pass
- VPX pass – added vapors and waterfalls, steams and water drops

Level artist: Radi Avramov
Level Designer: Martin Panicharov
Quest Designer: Svilen Chernev
Lead Artists: Andon Nedev, Biser Parashkevov
Art Direction: Nikola Stoyanov

The location was showcased in this trailer as one of nine most beautifull locations