Assassin’s Creed Shadows, developed and published by Ubisoft, marks the next chapter in the long-running stealth-action series, launching on 20th March for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set in feudal Japan, Shadows introduces a new setting and fresh mechanics while staying true to the franchise’s signature blend of stealth, combat, and exploration. But with some fans already voicing concerns, does this latest entry truly innovate, or is the criticism justified?
A Tale of Shadows and Steel
The plot follows two protagonists—Naoe, a nimble shinobi with the agility of a cat and stealth tactics that would make Ezio blush, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai inspired by the real-life African warrior who served under Oda Nobunaga. This dual protagonist approach works wonderfully, with each character offering a fresh perspective on both gameplay and narrative. Switching between the two felt seamless, with each character’s abilities complementing the other’s.
Now, let’s get this out of the way: Yes, Yasuke is Black. And yes, that’s historically accurate. To everyone throwing a tantrum about so-called “wokeness” ruining their historical accuracy, I have one thing to say—shut the hell up and get out of your mummy’s basement. Yasuke existed, he served under Oda Nobunaga, and he was a badass. Maybe if you spent half as much time reading an actual history book as you do ranting online, you’d know that.
Stealth, Steel, and Strategy
The gameplay in Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels like a refined combination of everything that worked in previous entries, with some fresh new ideas tossed in for good measure. Stealth is back in a big way. And I’m not talking about the “just crouch in a bush and you’re invisible” nonsense. Shadows and darkness actually matter this time. A visibility meter makes its debut, forcing you to use your surroundings to your advantage. Light sources can be snuffed out, and shadows become your greatest weapon. For a game set in feudal Japan, that level of tactical stealth feels right.
Ubisoft hasn’t just created a world that looks stunning—they’ve made one that feels alive and ever-changing. Seasons, while undeniably beautiful, also have a tangible impact on gameplay. Snowfall muffles footsteps, making stealth easier, but it also reduces visibility, forcing you to rely on sound and instinct. Autumn leaves crunch underfoot, betraying movement, while summer’s heat creates shimmering mirages that distort distant figures. Each season reshapes the landscape, making familiar paths feel new again and ensuring that no two encounters ever play out the same way.
Yasuke’s combat style is all about brute force and precision. His stances change fluidly between aggressive slashes and defensive countering, a bit like a blend of Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima’s combat systems. Meanwhile, Naoe’s approach is more subtle—agile strikes, poison darts, and even rooftop escapes that feel perfectly in line with the Assassin’s Creed tradition.
The world design is something to behold. Ubisoft has painstakingly recreated 16th-century Japan with jaw-dropping detail. Villages hum with life, forests are dense and foreboding, and the castles—good lord, the castles are spectacular. Climbing a pagoda to scout the surroundings is a breathtaking experience, especially when you’re rewarded with a sweeping view of cherry blossoms drifting through the air.
A Glitch in the Animus
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a few rough edges. There are minor bugs—occasional texture pop-ins and some AI glitches where guards forget they’re meant to be patrolling instead of getting caught on scenery. But nothing game-breaking or even all that annoying. It’s the kind of stuff that’ll be patched out in a week or two.
Oh, and let’s talk about that stupid video doing the rounds where someone compares an NPC model in a busy street to one of the high-end cinematic cutscenes. Are you people genuinely this dense? Of course, a random pedestrian isn’t going to be rendered with the same fidelity as a central character during a pivotal story moment. It’s like comparing the Mona Lisa to a doodle on a napkin and then wondering why they don’t look the same. Just stop it.
A Feudal Japan Brought to Life
The visuals in Shadows are stunning. Lighting plays a crucial role in gameplay, and it’s clear the developers put a lot of love into the aesthetics. From the golden hues of a sunset over Kyoto to the pale, spectral glow of moonlight reflected off temple rooftops, the game’s art direction is nothing short of beautiful.
The soundtrack also deserves high praise. Whether it’s the subtle string melodies that follow you through tranquil towns or the pounding drums that erupt during a heated battle, the music enhances every moment.
Final Thoughts
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the series’ return to form. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn close. With a captivating setting, nuanced characters, and a commitment to historical accuracy that somehow still manages to upset the mouth-breathing gatekeepers of the internet, it’s an absolute triumph.
Ubisoft has proven that the Assassin’s Creed franchise still has plenty of life left in it. Whether you’re a fan of stealth games or just someone looking for an engaging, beautifully crafted world to lose yourself in, Assassin’s Creed Shadows deserves your attention.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another hundred hours to lose sneaking through bamboo forests and slicing my way through enemy strongholds.
Wanna check out the first few hours?
Be warned, this was streamed using a pre-release version of the game. We were asked a lot of questions like, “How are you playing this early?”.