The game refined the "parkour" platforming mechanics that the series pioneered. Running along walls, swinging on bars, and leaping across chasms felt smoother than ever. Combat saw a significant upgrade with the introduction of "Speed Kills." Instead of lengthy sword duels, players could now execute stealthy, one-hit takedowns if they approached enemies undetected. This added a layer of strategy that was missing from the hack-and-slash focus of Warrior Within .