Game Information
Game Title: Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5 (Mar 20, 2025)
- PC (Mar 20, 2025)
- Xbox Series X/S (Mar 20, 2025)
Trailers:
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows: World Trailer
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows: One Duo - Two Playstyles
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows Official Gameplay - Combat and Stealth Evolved | Ubisoft Forward
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
Publisher: Ubisoft
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 81 average - 84% recommended - 80 reviews
Critic Reviews
ACG - Jeremy Penter - Unscored
“Assassins Creed Shadows has a glacial starting but does get better and some changes to AI and combat to make it more enjoyable than I expected. But like all AC games its about your own love for the them and atmosphere”
Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 9.5 / 10
With some truly wonderful writing and an engaging pair of protagonists, I adored Assassin’s Creed Shadows. I was obsessed with finishing the assassination targets and working through the Objective board with many late nights to see it through. The wait for Ubisoft to bring the series to Japan has been worth it, especially given the technical appeal of modern gaming making it even more impressive than I had imagined. Naoe and Yasuke are my definitive heroes for this series, two individuals who are wonderfully portrayed by their respective actors, and the talented team that brought them to life.
Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 84 / 100
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has taken a long-overdue step forward with its new mechanics and technical improvements. You’ll just have to overlook the mediocre writing and a narrative that lacks pacing.
But Why Tho? - Jason Flatt - 6 / 10
It’s a well-crafted game within its own scale with a great story and emotionally resonant characters, but in the grand scheme of what a big open-world RPG could provide, Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t maximize its potential.
CGMagazine - Justin Wood - 9 / 10
With Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has finally delivered on the feudal Japan setting fans have always wanted.
Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 8.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best installment in the series for a long time and brings many fresh ideas to the table. The setting is breathtaking, the variety in the missions is great and the gameplay feels very well thought out. The interaction between Yasuke and Naoe in particular creates an interesting dynamic. While Yasuke excels in combat, Naoe offers probably the best parcours gameplay the series has ever had. Traversal with Yasuke, the actual story and the typical open-world problems do tarnish the whole thing somewhat, but the series certainly wasn’t this good for a while.
Checkpoint Gaming - Edie W-K - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is another notch in the belt of this illustrious series. Sneaking and stabbing as Naoe or duelling foes in honourable combat as Yasuke, the duel protagonists are a genius addition to all the things we love about Assassin’s Creed. Even though I haven’t gelled with the more recent huge open-world AC titles, I leave my time with Assassin’s Creed Shadows with renewed excitement for the series thanks to a more manageable map size and a great story. Add in the beautiful backdrop of medieval Japan throughout the seasons, and you’ve got a hit.
Cloud Dosage - Jon Scarr - 4.5 / 5
Whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best entry in the series depends on what you enjoy. If you enjoy tactical stealth, the game delivers. If you’re more into a challenging combat experience, Yasuke’s overwhelming strength may leave you wanting more.
ComicBook.com - Cade Onder - 3.5 / 5
Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows has some cumbersome flaws that can’t be overlooked, including ones that have been present in the series since its inception, it is a strong action-adventure game that I will likely keep investing in for weeks to come.
ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 9 / 10
This sprawling epic regularly features gorgeous sights of Japan and incredibly fun gameplay with a newfound freedom of how you approach it. It winds up being the best Assassin’s Creed game in years and a true joy over its 60+ hour journey.
Console Creatures - Court LaLonde - 8 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows provides an unexpected amount of player agency against the Feudal Japan backdrop fans of the series have wanted for ages.
Dexerto - Jessica Filby - 4 / 5
Assassin’s Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows it’s finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke’s backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin’s Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart. Whether you’re looking to explore the stunning world of feudal Japan, storm the gates of an enemy castle, or fall in love with the many NPCs that populate its world, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an immersive treat that cements itself as the best Assassin’s Creed game since Black Flag.
Digital Trends - Giovanni Colantonio - 3.5 / 5
Assassin’s Creed Shadows almost feels like what it would be like if Ken Burns was tasked with making a video game. It’s exhaustive in how it depicts Japan’s feudal era even in fiction, crafting its world with the eye of a historical documentarian. It’s not quite the in-depth slice of life that Red Dead Redemption 2 goes for, but it approaches that same idea with fewer systems. Some of my favorite moments came when I just got bored of stabbing people and got on my horse instead. I didn’t stop every few feet to complete a puzzle. I didn’t stop to open another chest. I just rode, breathing in nature and listening to my own exhale intertwine with the wind.
Digitec Magazine - Domagoj Belancic - German - 3 / 5
The real star of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” is the visually stunning game world. It impresses with its many details, beautiful weather effects and changing seasons. It is perhaps the most beautiful open game world I have ever experienced. Unfortunately, this spectacular backdrop offers little substance despite the solid gameplay basis. Repetitive missions, boring side activities and a half-baked story leave me unsatisfied overall.
Entertainment Geekly - Luis Alvaro - 3 / 5
If you’ve been longing for a classic Assassin’s Creed experience, you’ll find moments of brilliance here—but they come with frustrations as well. And if you’ve grown tired of Ubisoft’s copy-paste open-world formula, Shadows won’t change your mind.
Eurogamer - Tom Phillips - 4 / 5
Majestic in scope, impressive in detail, Assassin’s Creed Shadows honours the beauty of feudal Japan, even if its strongest moments are saved for the personal stories of two protagonists.
Eurogamer.pt - Adolfo Soares - Portuguese - 3 / 5
Ubisoft has finally released Assassin’s Creed Shadows, after several setbacks. It follows the formula of the series, without taking any risks, limiting itself to delivering a game that is consistent with what fans already know. Naoe is a nice surprise, while Yasuke doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing here. Anyone who likes the saga will love Shadows, but it’s a shame it’s not more daring.
Fextralife - Fexelea - 8.5 / 10
Expansive, detailed and polished, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a fantastic exploration and stealth game with beautiful Japanese aesthetics, somewhat diminished by a thin story, clumsy narrative, and immersion-breaking design choices. Despite this, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable entry into the series for fans seeking to explore medieval Japan.
GRYOnline.pl - Jakub Paluszek - Polish - 6 / 10
I have experienced quite a few really cool moments while playing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, but after 40 hours of playtime all those moments are lost in time like tears in rain. This new Creed has some interesting ideas to shake up the formula, but none of them are good enough to make it count. All in all, any potential for greatness was squandered for yet another opportunity to make a very big game.
Game Lodge - Silvio Diaz - Portuguese - 10 / 10
The latest game in the franchise is what it is because it looks back and recognizes everything it has done in its history. It brings together the best of all those years and manages to be a brilliant piece of work in every way. Visually beautiful, engaging and extremely fun, combining so many systems. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best Assassin’s Creed ever made and the definitive Medieval Japan game.
Game Rant - Matt Karoglou - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a spectacular return to form for the franchise, delivering one of the series’ more tightly focused historical adventures.
GameGrin - Anna Duncan - 8.5 / 10
A game that’s not without its issues, but is a great entry in the franchise, and didn’t feel the need to cram in a ship to captain.
GameOnly - Michał Marasek - Polish - 2.5 / 5
Throughout the entire game, I had an unpleasant feeling that this was the work of a team taking their first steps on such a large project, heavily drawing from the achievements of their predecessors. This title doesn’t mark a new beginning for the series. On one hand, we get a few innovations that feel like a step forward, but on the other, things that worked well in previous entries are either handled sloppily here or have been completely cut out. It’s a decent option for fans of clearing map markers, but overall, it’s a mediocre production that squandered the potential of a setting that fans of this IP have been waiting for years.
Gamefa - mohammad hossein karimi - Persian - 7 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents Ubisoft’s effort to incorporate stealth elements into the RPG formula of series. However, the underlying RPG structure like level-based progression and an expansive map often prevents it. Despite these shortcomings, Shadows stands out as a visually stunning title, thanks to its seasonal system and meticulous attention to details. It also features some of the best stealth mechanics seen in RPG saga. Nevertheless, it’s is still a long way from meaningfully integrating stealth with role-playing mechanics. Furthermore, the game has struggled to halt the ongoing decline in the quality of storytelling and narrative that has plagued the series. in its attempt to appeal to a broad range of players, Shadows grapples with an internal contradiction: games cannot—and should not—be designed to cater everyone.
Gameffine - Uphar Dutta - 80 / 100
Assassin’s Creed Shadows was supposed to work in the dark to serve the light, but it never managed to step beyond the shadows. It plays it too safe while trying to go back to the roots, but it also goes back on the unwanted systems, including the leveling-based progression.
Gameliner - Patrick Lamers - Dutch - 4 / 5
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great step forward for the series, with an intriguing story, varied characters, and a well-executed - eventhough a little repetitive - medieval Japan setting, making it a must-have for Assassin’s Creed fans and open-world adventure lovers.
Gamepressure - Maciej Bogusz - 7 / 10
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is a game full of contrasts. On one hand, it offers solid stealth mechanics and a great combat system, but on the other, it features a lackluster storyline and generic exploration. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll likely find something to enjoy here, but if you weren’t convinced from the start, the combat and stealth may not be enough to win you over.
Gamer Escape - Eliot Lefebvre - 8 / 10
And that’s really the ultimate takeaway. It has a load of really fun parts, a fun gameplay loop, an engaging story, and an earnest effort to split the difference between the various elements of the franchise history. It’s a good game! Take these reservations not as a subversion of that fact, but for what they are: Acknowledgement of its limitations.
Gamer Guides - Tom Hopkins - 85 / 100
Assassin’s Creed Shadows in a nutshell is a more refined, polished game with more of the same formula. This isn’t a big revamp, nor are there any deep changes to the formula. However, it’s the best the series has been for a while. Fun combat, a pair of genuinely interesting protagonists, and a gorgeous recreation of 16th century Japan mean the flaws are easier to overlook.
Gfinity - Alister Kennedy - 10 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. Yasuke and Naoe are among the best protagonists the series has ever seen, and the return to stealth gameplay is a massive win for longtime fans.
Glitched Africa - Marco Cocomello - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the series to new heights in ways we have been longing for. Ubisoft has delivered the most remarkable world I think we have seen from the studio yet. This, combined with a rich setting, dynamic gameplay styles, and a good balance of action and stealth, makes Shadows the best entry in the series. In many ways, it is going to be hard for Ubisoft to top this.
Hardcore Gamer - Kevin Dunsmore - 3.5 / 5
Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows the hail mary Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft needed, or should this game have stayed in the shadows?
Just Play it - Aimen TAIB - Arabic - 9 / 10
An amazing journey that we embarked on in feudal Japan alongside Naoe and Yasuke. The story and gameplay were both thrilling and enjoyable, alongside its massive content, making it undoubtedly Ubisoft’s most visually stunning game and the best Assassin’s Creed game of the last decade.
Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 70 / 100
[…] Assassin’s Creed Shadow is still a decently fun action adventure-slash-role-playing hybrid (stats, grinding, and all that jazz) if you really need a huge timesink with a ton of money backed onto it. It may not change your mind about the Ubisoft formula of open-world games.
But through it all, formulas work because they’re comfort food and deliver what is expected while looking darn good and polished doing so, without any fuss. And with a great soundtrack that mixes traditional with contemporary beats & melodies.
Kotaku - Zack Zwiezen - Unscored
Ubisoft’s latest open-world RPG overcomes forgettable quests thanks to standout characters and improved stealth action
Le Bêta-Testeur - Gabriel Desrosiers - French - 9.3 / 10
This is definitely one of the best games in the franchise. It’s a complete game with great improvements, the story is well-constructed, and the player has a lot of freedom in their actions. Without distorting the franchise, I was able to enjoy the game almost as much as the first games. It’s not far from equaling Black Flags or the Ezio trilogy.
Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. An addictive adventure in a stunningly provocative open world, and an absolute must play.
Manual dos Games - Luan Fernandes - Portuguese - 9.2 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great game—everything that every fan of the franchise has always imagined. With refined combat, breathtaking scenery, captivating characters, and a simple yet very effective storyline, Shadows is undoubtedly an outstanding game. It brings the Japanese setting to life in an excellent way, and I am sure it will earn its place among Ubisoft’s greatest games.
MondoXbox - Giuseppe Genga - Italian - 8.8 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows succeeds in immersing us in a beautiful medieval Japan, full of activities and missions to be carried out with the character we prefer; the settings, the narrative/cinematic approach, and the stealth gameplay are its strengths, but it’s a pity for its too weak connection to the franchise’s meta-lore and a sometimes disorienting mission structure. Regardless, if you love the series, action RPGs, or Japanese settings, it is a title not to be missed.
MonsterVine - Joe Bariso - 4 / 5
While not perfect, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great ninja simulator and an okay open world game.
New Game Network - Alex Varankou - 74 / 100
Another solid entry for the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a wonderfully rendered natural world, though it’s not as unique as it once could have been. The typical mix of stealth and action gameplay is still enjoyable and is now split between two protagonists, though switching between them can be cumbersome. Fans of the franchise should be satisfied, if not exactly impressed.
NextPlay - Jamie Briggs - 8 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise and a perfect entry point for newcomers. Its dual protagonists are fantastic and distinct, and while the villains are forgettable, the personal stories of Naoe and Yasuke help deliver a strong narrative. Shadows is visually stunning, with excellent cinematography, beautiful open world, a unique soundtrack and immersive sound design. However, a sparse open world, inconsistent parkour, and a disappointing hideout system, ultimately keep it from reaching true greatness.
Nexus Hub - Sam Aberdeen - 8 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a formidably big game with a densely packed open-world and great stealth gameplay that should please fans, even if it feels like Ubisoft’s formula is starting to wear a bit thin.
Noisy Pixel - Azario Lopez - 9.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking evolution of the open-world formula, blending masterful storytelling, refined stealth mechanics, and stunning visuals. With a gripping dual-protagonist narrative and meticulously crafted historical setting, Ubisoft delivers one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed experiences to date.
One More Game - Chris Garcia - 8.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a notable achievement from Ubisoft, offering an experience that both long-time fans and newcomers are likely to appreciate. This latest addition to the franchise is visually stunning, and its refined stealth systems and other enhancements make it one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in recent memory.
However, the dual-protagonist approach might prove to be divisive. While the concept is innovative, its execution falters in certain areas. The game seems predominantly tailored to Naoe, whose abilities allow her to fully engage with nearly all aspects of gameplay. In contrast, Yasuke’s limitations may alienate some players, as they frequently must alternate between the two characters to access different features.
PPE.pl - Mateusz Wróbel - Polish - 8.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows does many things better than previous installments in the series, but there are still elements that are flawed. Nevertheless - it is a title worth playing not only for fans of the brand.
PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 90 / 100
Based on Naoe’s strength as the protagonist and the renewed focus on its stealth gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is yet another resounding success for the franchise. Its only flaw is its inability to put Yasuke on the same level as his companion, a minor thing when so many other elements make it a must-have for those interested in the series or the setting.
Pixel Arts - Danial Dehghani - Persian - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the best entries in the series in the past decade. The developers’ meticulous attention to detail and the overall high quality—especially in direction—have yielded a genuinely commendable title that could truly mark a new era for this long-standing franchise.
Pizza Fria - Lucas de Azevedo Soares - Portuguese - 8.3 / 10
Shadows is a fun, technically impressive, and well-executed game, but its identity as an Assassin’s Creed can be questioned.
Play Watch Read - Lindsay Scheerder - Dutch - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the sixteenth installment in the main series, is set in 16th century Japan and follows the stories of Yasuke (an African ronin) and Naoe (a shinobi). Born from a shared mission, their partnership forces them to combine their skills, with Naoe excelling in stealth and precision while Yasuke dominates in direct confrontations. The game offers a refreshing gameplay with an immersive story set in a beautiful setting of the coveted feudal Japan. While the AI still has its shortcomings, such as guards not reacting to nearby attacks, Ubisoft seems to have finally found the right direction for the franchise after a series of disappointing titles, ensuring that both veterans and newcomers will find something to enjoy in this Japanese adventure.
PowerUp! - Leo Stevenson - 7.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a bad game, but it is a flawed one. It’s also a beautiful one, an interesting one, a frustrating one, a janky one, a thrilling one and sometimes even a great one. It’s a game undone by its own desire to be multiple things all at once.
Quest Daily - Julian Price - 9 / 10
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t just capture Feudal Japan — it immerses you in it. From breathtaking landscapes to intricate gameplay systems, it’s a game that understands the value of exploration, storytelling, and letting players carve their own path.”
Restart.run - Henry Stenhouse - Recommended
The slower pace required to fully appreciate this world is a virtue that, as a reviewer with a deadline, I wasn’t properly afforded. As such, I envy those who possess the time and willingness to truly indulge themselves. Because for all its smaller blemishes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows paints a breathtaking canvas that, even after 50 hours, continues to captivate me.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored
A beautiful recreation of 16th century Japan is stained with the clumsy ink of an uninspiring revenge tale, but take your time sneaking through castles and visiting temples to get the most from an impressive open world.
SECTOR.sk - Peter Dragula - Slovak - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players to historical Japan, featuring two distinct protagonists ’ the shinobi Naoe and the samurai Yasuke ’ each with unique gameplay styles and compelling stories. The game builds on the RPG elements of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla while streamlining mechanics and introducing a new main menu that connects multiple Assassin’s Creed titles. With no limitations from last-gen consoles, it delivers a richly detailed world, dynamic weather, and brutal combat, though it doesn’t bring major innovations to the series.
Seasoned Gaming - Alejandro Segovia - 8 / 10
It may not provide the shift in design philosophy and approach to the franchise that its long gestation period suggests, but it’s a solid step forward for the series. If you’ve ever enjoyed one of these games before, I’d be hard pressed to imagine you not enjoying this one.
Shacknews - Aidan O’Brien - 8 / 10
Series fans will find a lot to love here, even if Shadows doesn’t quite take the step of truly challenging itself to be more than what we might have expected it to be. The moment-to-moment gameplay is fun, Naoe and Yasuke are both compelling in their own way, and the backdrop of Japan really does make for a beautiful stage on which everything plays out.
Sirus Gaming - Leif Rey Bornales - 8 / 10
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Shadows tried to be this big massive open-world RPG. While some of its elements are a welcome sight, the gatekeeping can feel very offputting at times if you just want to soldier on through the main story. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is best played when you have a lot of time on your hands to play it. But for those of us who can only chip in an hour or two of gaming, it may not be the ideal game for you to play.
Spaziogames - Italian - 7.7 / 10
PS5 – Merging the two core identities of the Assassin’s Creed franchise was no easy feat, but Ubisoft Quebec largely succeeded. The game boasts a vibrant open world, a wealth of activities, and a solid-if somewhat simplistic-combat system. However, where Assassin’s Creed Shadows stumbles is in its lackluster enemy AI, which often behaves irrationally, and its consistently low difficulty level, even at the highest setting.
Stevivor - Ben Salter - 8 / 10
Shadows is best played with hidden blades as a stealth-action game reminiscent of what Assassin’s Creed used to be, but its greatest strength is choice.
TechRaptor - Andrew Stretch - 6.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows starts off strong with an interesting story and great core gameplay and combat. Unfortunately, Shadows ends up getting in its own way by delivering a compelling story, but not knowing when to trim the fat, a gorgeous overworld that overstays its welcome, and an equipment system that isn’t exciting.
The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is what you get when you combine the best of the many eras of this franchise, while evolving its open world design to perfection. Shadows has proven that a series about to turn 20 years old can still evolve in the right direction and bring exhilarating moments paired with top-notch gameplay.
The Outerhaven Productions - Jordan Andow - 5 / 5
Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s ability to seemingly strike a perfect balance between the older titles in the series and its RPG brethren. This is exactly what I want RPG Assassin’s Creed games to be going forward.
TheGamer - George Foster - 4 / 5
Despite some repetition and bloat that makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ final stretch drag more than the rest of the game excites, its brave approach to exploration in a gorgeous world, heartfelt personal stories, and satisfying tweaks to the formula still make it stand as one of my favourite entries yet. While no one can say if Shadows will be the all-timer hit that both Ubisoft and the series need right now, I can at least say that it’s more than worthy of your time.
TheSixthAxis - Adrian Burrows - 9 / 10
Fans of Assassin’s Creed have waited an era or two for a series entry that lets you be a ninja and explore Feudal Japan. Thankfully, the wait has been absolutely worth it. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an astonishing achievement. Vast, impossibly detailed, immaculately researched, and enormously fun, Shadows is easily one of the best games in this storied franchise.
Toisto - Joonatan Itkonen - 5 / 5
Superbly written, gorgeous to look at, and a thrill to play, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a triumph for the iconic series.
Tom’s Guide - Nikita Achanta - 4 / 5
Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers on its promise of bringing back classic stealth mechanics while introducing new ones and combining the best of the older and RPG titles. The detailed open-world of feudal Japan feels full of life with compelling playable and non-playable characters, and different fighting tactics enrich the combat. But the game struggles to balance its two playable protagonists, and player choices are still inconsequential. TODAY’S BEST DEALS $69.99 at Amazon(Download) $69.99 at Best Buy $69.99 at Walmart
VDGMS - Darren Andrew - 8 / 10
If you don’t like Assassin’s Creed, Shadows won’t be the pivotal moment in the franchise that changes your mind. Due to dual protagonists, experiences of Assassin’s Creed Shadows are going to vary drastically, but when the game is at it’s best it allows the player to take full advantage of the satisfying combat, parkour, and stealth systems through the eyes of a young shinobi requiring a more methodical approach
The biggest downfall with Assassin’s Creed Shadows is indecision. At times between shinobi and samurai, between stealth or action, between drama and comedy, between instant kills and sword sponges, between series cliches and fresh ideas. At times Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels like a six, but at other times it’s almost a ten and where it ends up is somewhere in the middle. When everything clicks together, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was worth the wait.
Vamers - Edward Swardt - Essential
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is, without a doubt, a breathtaking addition to the long running franchise. Whether sneaking through shadows as Noae or charging headfirst into battle as Yasuke, the game offers a dynamic experience making every choice feel consequential. With its immersive setting, refined combat mechanics, and an innovative weather system affecting gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows elevates the franchise in ways that will leave eager players wanting for more. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows might follow some familiar gameplay tropes, its execution is far from formulaic. With a wealth of side content, a customisable hideout system, and the promise of a world teeming with historical intrigue and fierce battles, it is clear Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to be one of the franchise’s most memorable and impactful titles. Fans old and new alike will find much to love in this stunning and daring chapter in the Assassin’s Creed saga.
WellPlayed - Kieron Verbrugge - 8.5 / 10
Ubisoft’s big, bold swing with Assassin’s Creed Shadows mostly connects, proving that it was right to hold off on the Hail Mary Feudal Japan setting until it had honed the series’ RPG trappings. Shadows’ attempts at new ideas don’t all land the same, but it excels in the areas that matter most in these games with a gorgeous, rich and well-researched world to explore, compelling stealth gameplay and a story full of intrigue and fresh takes on historical figures.
Worth Playing - Redmond Carolipio - 7.7 / 10
I do, however, enjoy that there’s still so much for me to do in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. I’m whittling down a short list of raiders known for terrorizing villages during winter and looking into members of a mysterious group … one of whom I killed while I was on the way to do something else. I also have a lot of a fogged-up map that I would still like to clear up and explore, whether it’s to find some lost pages floating around a temple or engage in a meditative minigame to unlock more of Naoe’s story. For an experience that featured so much conflict, it’s a rare moment of peace.
Xbox Tavern - Ian Wray - 9.6 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is everything I wanted from the series and more. The world is stunning, the combat is thrilling, and the dual-protagonist system adds so much variety to gameplay. Playing as both characters sometimes feels like experiencing two different games, thanks to their unique playstyles. The deep storytelling kept me completely immersed, and I never once felt bored. For me, it’s an absolute must-play for any fan of the series.
XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 9.5 / 10
AC Shadows is the best game in what has been an incredible series.
Zoomg - Meysam Khalilzadeh - Persian - 9.5 / 10
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has all the necessary features to create an unforgettable experience of adventure as a shinobi and a powerful samurai. Ubisoft Quebec, considering everything that frustrated players in the Assassin’s Creed games after Origins, immerses players in Feudal Japan. The game has extraordinary graphics, which are considered the best among all Ubisoft games to date. The game’s music, combined well with the story, engages you even more in discovering the truth.
This might be a dumb idea, but I may buy this game just to make up for all the baseless hate it’s been hit by. Maybe just to avoid shareholder claims of “See, people prefer historical accuracy. Hence black people are banned in all future games.”
I haven’t really even tracked much of Ubisoft games for a while, and I recognize usually they’re pretty mindless open world fun - personally I’m often fine with that.
TL;DR: Seems to be more of the same. If you hate AC you’ll hate this, but if you like the AC formula and want more this seems to be one of the better ones.
Man, I dunno, but anything after AC Origins hast felt so bad and soulless… I’m probably not buying this, specially since anything after AC3 just stopped the “modern day” storyline and now is just incoherent plot lines that really amount to nothing… Dunno, not a fan of it
They’ve been pushing back the end of the world since 3. Every new game since then has been about prolonging the story just a bit more. I was kinda taken out of the whole thing by the ending of Valhalla, where Desmond and Layla’s consciousness basically became digital Adam and Eve.
Man, I dunno, but anything after AC Origins hast felt so bad and soulless…
I could say anything after AC Revelations is soulless
I honestly enjoyed the setting of Origins and the “new take” on combat, since it was before anything they could basically do whatever they wanted so it kinda worked , but that’s the only one I enjoyed after revelations
Origins is a good game, shouldn’t be an AC. The Assassin stuff on Origin hold it back actually.