Assassin’s Creed has long been one of Ubisoft’s biggest flagship series, spanning nearly 20 years. Since the series’ second outing in Italy with the beloved Ezio trilogy, fans have been clamouring for an entry set in Japan. When Assassin’s Creed Shadows was announced in 2022 during a Ubisoft Forward event, the game quickly became a topic of scrutiny—mainly from a vocal minority. However, after two weeks and over 40 hours of gameplay, I can confidently say this is a fantastic entry set in 1500s Japan.
Set in feudal Japan in 1579, Assassin’s Creed Shadows follows two protagonists from opposing sides of a war, brought together by a common enemy and cause. Naoe, a female shinobi, suffers a devastating loss and embarks on a journey to uncover her family’s past while forging her own future. Her story is filled with grief, betrayal and growth. From start to finish, her journey is compelling and, at times, even emotional. I often found myself in awe, processing what was happening to her and what had already transpired.
Yasuke, a towering and powerful samurai, serves as the game’s second protagonist. His story is shrouded in mystery, and he undergoes significant character growth, taking control of his destiny. The contrast between the two protagonists is striking—Naoe moves like a ghost in the shadows, while Yasuke is a walking storm, cutting down anyone in his path.
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an absolute blast.”
Whenever Assassin’s Creed attempts multiple protagonists, the results are mixed. Often, one character feels more important than the other. That’s also the case in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. While Yasuke plays an integral role, it often feels like Naoe is the key character while Yasuke is along for the ride. This isn’t to say he isn’t compelling—he absolutely is—but the game’s major story beats land harder when Naoe is at the centre.
This comes with my other gripe with the story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The open nature of the world and mission structure in the game makes it so there is as much Creed-centered story as you decide to interact with—until about forty hours into the game when you MUST confront the Templar vs. Creed storyline. The storyline is actually pretty good, and I just wish it was more centred, not just left for the back half of the game.
While we sadly will never see the same style of storytelling we saw in the Desmond story arc at the beginning of the series, it felt the most disconnected in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, much like in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. During my forty-five hours, there were no present-day story bits. This is a shame, because this has, for me anyway, always been a part of the AC series I have enjoyed.
“The gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the smoothest games in the series.”
Even during the later games where it has been more toned down, it was still a point of high interest to me, and it was missed dearly here. It almost feels like Ubisoft is unsure if they even want to continue the modern-day storyline at all. Which, if true, would be disappointing considering where the Valhalla DLC left things.
The gameplay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the smoothest games in the series. The emphasis on the shinobi playstyle makes it more stylish than ever. Whether the screen momentarily flashes to monochrome upon assassinating key targets or certain skills trigger cinematic flourishes, the gameplay always looks and feels satisfying. The combat is an evolution of Valhalla and Mirage, but without an eagle companion for scouting.
That is all Naoe—she has Eagle Vision and plays much like previous assassins in the series. The biggest change is Yasuke, which has a more tank-like fighting and exploration style. He can’t really sneak; he is a brute and plays like it. A key gameplay feature for him is literally running into objects to break them… including doors. It’s incredible.
“It’s honestly the most brutal Assassin’s Creed game to date, and it really leans into the era’s violent nature.”
I would often use Naoe to explore, sneak, and capture the sync points, while Yasuke would be a powerhouse just to kill. And let me tell you, this game is brutal. It’s super bloody and, at times, gory, with decapitations and dismemberments. It’s honestly the most brutal Assassin’s Creed game to date, and it really leans into the era’s violent nature.
The RPG system returns in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with skill points tied to specific exploration objectives and levelling up. Skills are unlocked through exploration, using Knowledge Points to enhance each character’s abilities. The gear system from Origins and Valhalla also returns, but rather than levelling up equipment, players can upgrade gear to match their current level. This allows favourite pieces to remain viable throughout the game.
A unique aspect of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the new Hideout system. As players progress, they establish a hidden base for the Assassins, upgrading it and recruiting allies. It’s reminiscent of the homestead system from Assassin’s Creed III but with more direct gameplay benefits. From the start, players can see the advantages, whether it’s scouts picking up side missions during their outings or lowering the cost of acquiring materials.
Additional benefits include the ability to upgrade weapons up to level 40, add more scouts or further reduce scouting costs. The hideout is also fully customizable, from the layout of buildings and pathways to the smallest decorative details.
This brings me to the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and it is absolutely stunning. The dynamic weather system is probably one of the best Ubisoft has ever implemented, with torrential downpours, thick fog rolling in over the rice fields, and snow covering entire regions as the seasons change. The level of immersion here is incredible. And, of course, as an Assassin’s Creed game, the world is packed with things to do. Side content includes duels, shinobi contracts, castle infiltrations, and hunting down legendary weapons. There’s always something to pull you off the main path.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an absolute blast. The fluid combat and exploration make for an engaging experience, and the story delivers an emotional punch. While I wish there were more modern-day storytelling—especially after where Valhalla left off—Ubisoft has successfully delivered a feudal Japan Assassin’s Creed experience. It may not be perfect, but it’s one of the best entries in years, and for fans who have long awaited a Japan setting, it does not disappoint.
