Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review

Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to be performing quite well for Ubisoft. Since its release on Thursday, it has reached 2 million players and exceeded the launches of previous titles in the series, such as Origins and Odyssey.

The game experienced two delays from its original fall 2024 release date as the developers worked on polishing it. However, given its successful launch and positive reception, it appears to have paid off. According to the review mentioned, it’s running well on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in Feudal Japan, a setting many fans of the series have been requesting for years. It’s currently available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Ubisoft+, Amazon Luna, Mac, and PC, with an iPad version planned for the future. The review suggests that both longtime Assassin’s Creed players and newcomers will find something to enjoy in this latest instalment.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents Ubisoft’s long-awaited foray into Feudal Japan, a setting fans have desired for years. Set during the late Sengoku period (around 1579), the game features dual protagonists: Naoe, a skilled shinobi (ninja), and Yasuke, a historical African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. This dual-protagonist approach delivers varied gameplay styles and narrative perspectives in a richly detailed historical Japan.

Graphics and World Design

The game’s visual presentation is among the strongest in the series. Feudal Japan comes alive with meticulous attention to detail in its environments—from sprawling cities like Kyoto and Edo to serene countryside villages and mountain temples. The lighting and weather systems create breathtaking scenes, particularly during sunset over rice paddies or amid cherry blossom forests. Character models are expressive and detailed, though some occasional texture pop-ins and minor visual glitches can be noticed.

Gameplay

Combat System

Shadows introduces distinct combat styles for its protagonists:

• Yasuke’s samurai combat focuses on disciplined swordplay, parrying, and direct confrontation with elegant, powerful katana techniques
• Naoe’s shinobi approach emphasizes stealth, agility, and creative tools like smoke bombs, poisoned darts, and concealed weapons

The combat feels more refined than in recent AC titles, with responsive controls and a satisfying learning curve. The new stance system adds strategic depth, requiring players to adapt their fighting style based on enemy types.

Stealth Mechanics

Stealth has been significantly revamped and now feels more consequential. The detection system is more nuanced, environments offer multiple infiltration routes, and Japanese architecture’s verticality provides excellent opportunities for creative approaches. Naoe’s shinobi tools add versatility to stealth gameplay that was missing in previous entries.

Parkour and Exploration

Movement feels fluid, and climbing and traversal mechanics receive meaningful improvements. The grappling hook adds vertical mobility, while the ability to hide in various environmental elements (water, tall grass, crowds) expands stealth options. Japanese buildings, temples, and castle complexes provide excellent playgrounds for the parkour system.

Narrative and Characters

The story explores the political intrigue of the Sengoku period, featuring historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The dual-protagonist approach offers complementary perspectives: Yasuke, an outsider finding his place in Japanese society, and Naoe, a shinobi with ties to powerful factions, navigating complex loyalties.

Character development is generally strong, though some side characters would benefit from additional depth. The dialogue is well-written, with cultural insights that avoid falling into stereotypes. The voice acting is excellent across both English and Japanese audio options.

RPG Elements and Progression

The skill trees for both characters offer meaningful choices that enhance distinct playstyles. The gear system feels less bloated than in previous titles, with equipment that serves gameplay purposes rather than minor statistical adjustments. The economy is well-balanced, making resource management important without becoming tedious.

Side Content and Activities

The game offers a robust selection of side quests that often provide meaningful context to the historical setting rather than feeling like simple fetch quests. Traditional Japanese activities like haiku composition, hot spring meditation, and bamboo cutting serve as enjoyable diversions while reinforcing the cultural setting.

Technical Performance

On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game maintains a solid 60fps in performance mode with occasional dips during particularly chaotic battles. The quality mode offers enhanced visual fidelity at 30fps. Load times are impressively short, and the game appears to benefit from the additional development time following its delays.

Sound Design and Music

The soundtrack masterfully blends traditional Japanese instruments with more contemporary elements when appropriate. Environmental audio is rich and immersive, from bustling marketplaces to quiet forest paths. Combat sounds have appropriate weight and impact.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents one of the more substantial entries in the franchise, successfully delivering on the long-anticipated Japanese setting while introducing meaningful gameplay innovations. The dual-protagonist approach provides gameplay variety and narrative depth, while the refined stealth and combat systems correct course from some previous entries’ shortcomings. Some technical issues and occasional narrative pacing problems prevent it from being perfect, but the overall package delivers an immersive or very engagingexperience that both series veterans and newcomers can enjoy.

Score: 8.5/10