In a recent episode of the engaging video series Reality Check, parkour athletes Toby Segar and Benj Cave from the UK-based team Storror took a closer look at the parkour mechanics featured in the popular Assassin’s Creed video game franchise. Their insights provide a fascinating juxtaposition between the virtual world and the realities of physical stunts.
Parkour Realism vs. Gaming Fantasy
While many gamers may have first encountered parkour through the thrilling leaps and bounds of Assassin’s Creed, Segar and Cave approached the subject with a critical eye. They expressed a certain admiration for the series but were quick to dissect its portrayal of parkour techniques. For instance, Toby shared that the game’s signature leaps of faith, which often land on hay bales, could theoretically be executed from heights of up to eight stories—provided they are performed with perfect precision. However, he humorously noted that in reality, such a jump would likely leave a “perfect assassin’s outline in the floor” below.
Benj added another layer to the discussion by highlighting the unrealistic aspects of the game, particularly the protagonists’ seemingly limitless endurance and flawless execution after hours of navigating rooftops. Unlike the carefully choreographed stunts in real parkour, the spontaneous improvisation seen in the game is often a fantasy, as actual parkour requires meticulous planning and practice.
For those interested in following the adventures of Toby, Benj, and the Storror team, they are active on Instagram and are currently developing their own parkour simulation game, set to enter early access on Steam by the end of March. Meanwhile, fans of gaming can stay tuned to PC Gamer’s YouTube channel for more episodes of Reality Check, which also features intriguing analyses from experts in various fields, including a paleontologist’s perspective on Monster Hunter creatures and a psychologist’s take on the drama within The Sims.
