Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the first true next-generation game in the series from Ubisoft. It leaves behind last-generation consoles, which were supported for a long time, with Assassin’s Creed Mirage being the final release for those systems. But does Shadows deliver a significant leap in experience?
Right from the start, this game sparked controversy even before its official reveal. Leaked artwork showed the two main protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. Yasuke, a black samurai, ignited debates about historical accuracy and representation, and those discussions haven’t faded. But beyond the controversy, is the game enjoyable to play? Does it bring enough to the table to justify its choices?
To begin with, Naoe feels like the true main protagonist of the story. While Yasuke is introduced early in the opening chapter and plays an important role, the game quickly shifts focus to Naoe, putting players in control of her for a large portion of the main story. Yasuke returns later, but Naoe dominates much of the narrative. In terms of gameplay, the two characters are completely different. Yasuke is a powerhouse who relies on brute strength, while Naoe is a nimble assassin skilled in stealth. The game lets you choose which character to tackle missions with, adding a dynamic layer to the experience and allowing players to approach the game in their own way.
The story is set in 16th-century Japan during the late Sengoku period. For longtime fans of the franchise, there’s something special here—the return of the centuries-old conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. Naoe’s journey feels reminiscent of Ezio’s, as she inherits the legacy of the Assassin Brotherhood from her father, Nagato, and is given the iconic hidden blade. Her gameplay focuses on the classic stealth, parkour, and assassination elements that originally made the series a hit. Yasuke, on the other hand, feels more like a sidekick, taking his time to reappear in the story. It’s hard not to wonder if Ubisoft scaled back his role due to the backlash they faced earlier.
One reason I suspect the story underwent multiple changes is its lack of straightforwardness. The narrative jumps back and forth in time with flashbacks, making it difficult to follow the sequence of events. The pacing feels off, and Yasuke’s sections, in particular, suffer from weak writing. The game tries hard to elevate Naoe to the same legendary status as Ezio but falls short in giving her the depth and development she deserves. That said, the motion capture and performances are impressive, even if the writing and inconsistent narrative don’t always hold up. It’s hard to shake the feeling that something feels off, as if Ubisoft made repeated revisions to the story—something that might explain the multiple delays in the game’s release.
Where Assassin’s Creed Shadows truly shines is in its gameplay and technical improvements. It’s one of the best-looking open-world games I’ve played on PC, and it’s a well-optimized port that runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware. The game offers a wealth of graphical options, supports all upscaling solutions, and includes frame generation, making it accessible for almost any setup. Thanks to the delays, the developers have polished the game to a fine sheen, and I encountered no major bugs or technical issues, even in an early review copy. The in-game benchmark is a handy tool for tweaking settings based on your hardware, and surprisingly, I was able to run it on the Steam Deck, albeit with some compromises. It’s officially verified for the Steam Deck, which is a nice bonus.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces several new mechanics, like seasons that impact gameplay, dynamic lighting for stealth (letting you hide in shadows), and environmental damage. Some older mechanics also make a comeback, such as the loot system from earlier games in the series. Naoe comes equipped with a variety of tools, like smoke bombs and shurikens, which she can use during stealth missions. Yasuke, on the other hand, relies on heavier weapons, including katanas and arquebuses. The open world is packed with points of interest and towers to climb, which reveal parts of the map. Historically accurate locations like Osaka, Kyoto, and the Iga province add to the game’s authenticity. You can also recruit spies or bribe officials during missions, and there’s a BioWare-style dialogue system, though it doesn’t significantly affect the story outcomes.
Stealth is satisfying to pull off, but the default difficulty makes enemies feel a bit too easy to outsmart. Thankfully, you can adjust the difficulty to make the AI more challenging, which enhances the experience for those seeking immersion. However, some missions can become frustratingly tough at higher difficulty levels. Combat is solid, with a mix of parries, dodges, and high and low attacks. Naoe struggles in direct combat, especially against groups, while Yasuke can unleash brutal, gory finishers that feel incredibly satisfying. Both characters have skill trees to unlock special abilities, and weapons come with unique attributes, like poisoning enemies or boosting stats.
One area that’s hard to overlook is the side content, which is a mixed bag. While a few quests are engaging and rewarding, most feel repetitive and poorly written, with uninteresting NPCs. The game’s lack of meaningful NPC interactions is a noticeable flaw. Despite the bustling cities, they often feel artificial, and there’s little risk versus reward. You can go on a rampage in a city without facing any real consequences. Some areas are swarming with enemies, but once you leave their zones, you’re completely free from repercussions. This lack of immersion can be a bit disappointing in an otherwise detailed open world.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Information
- Price: $69.99
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
