Canon mode is a setting in Murderer’s Creed Shadows. Like all of the acquainted boot-up settings — subtitle preferences, sport issue, immersive mode, guided exploration mode, and so forth — you’ll select whether or not or to not activate it earlier than beginning a brand new sport. However the factor is, as soon as you choose it, you’ll be able to’t change it. You’re locked in.
Under, let’s get into what canon mode is in Murderer’s Creed Shadows, alongside some ideas on whether or not or not it’s finest to play in canon mode.
What’s canon mode in Murderer’s Creed Shadows?

Picture: Ubisoft Quebec/Ubisoft through game-feeds
Canon mode in Murderer’s Creed Shadows will take away sure dialogue choices (see above) from the sport that permit you to affect the story in a technique or one other. As an alternative, you’ll be watching the story play out with out having the choice to have an effect on it.
The introduction of those types of dialogue decisions in Murderer’s Creed was a considerably divisive one when it first appeared in Murderer’s Creed Odyssey; in that sport, the participant would generally be introduced with a number of dialogue choices, and selecting from these choices would have an effect on the story. (Valhalla additionally had a few of this; Mirage didn’t.)
Murderer’s Creed Shadows splits the distinction by introducing canon mode. In case you don’t play in canon mode, you’ll be introduced with numerous moments when your character can select from dialogue choices that may barely alter the course of the story. In case you play in canon mode, you gained’t be introduced with these moments.
Do you have to play canon mode in Murderer’s Creed Shadows?
I selected to play Murderer’s Creed Shadows in canon mode, so meaning I by no means have the choice to decide on any dialogue in any respect. As an alternative, I’m simply watching cutscenes by which the story performs out the way in which that it was meant to, inside the overarching fiction of Murderer’s Creed as a collection — and that’s how I need it to be, personally. I need to see the story that the writers of this sport have set as much as be the “meant” model.
This has resulted in a few moments when it’s apparent that I might have been introduced with a selection that I don’t truly get to make, although.
For instance, throughout the “The Good Present” principal story mission, as Naoe, it’s a must to choose from three potential items to current to somebody essential (leaving them unidentified right here for spoiler functions). When not taking part in in canon mode, right here’s what that selection seems like.

Picture: Ubisoft Quebec/Ubisoft through game-feeds
I didn’t get to decide on this present myself, though if I had the choice, I might’ve chosen the one which Naoe ended up choosing (an vintage bamboo tea ladle). As an alternative, I obtained to look at her choose the present, after which as I cast forward within the questline, I watched her current it to its recipient.
Equally, there have been moments the place Murderer’s Creed Shadows presents a selection but it surely’s actually simply an phantasm. As an example, early on, it’s essential determine whether or not or to not let Junjiro, a younger little one, keep at your Hideout, an enclave of stab-happy people possessing very sharp blades. No matter what you select, Junjiro stays on the Hideout. I used to be by no means introduced with this selection, and but the result is identical as everybody who’s taking part in with canon mode turned off.
I don’t really feel like I’m “lacking out” on something by having chosen to play in canon mode, however in case you’re the form of one who actually loved the dialogue choices in Odyssey and Valhalla, you shouldn’t activate it. However, in case you desire to see the story play out by itself in the way in which it does in early Murderer’s Creed video games (and in 2023’s Mirage), then canon mode is the fitting choice for you.
Simply beginning Murderer’s Creed Shadows? Past our full Murderer’s Creed Shadows walkthrough, listed below are explainers on how lengthy to beat the sport and whenever you unlock Yasuke, plus in case you ought to play immersive or guided exploration modes.