For years, fans of the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise have clamored for a game set in feudal Japan. It seemed like the perfect playground for the series’ blend of stealth, parkour, and open-world exploration. Now, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” finally arrives to grant that wish, but does it come a decade too late? With so many games in recent years tackling the same historical period, “Shadows” struggles to set itself apart, even as it delivers an experience that is undeniably engaging. Set in a beautifully realized open world, “Shadows” takes players on an adventure through war-torn landscapes, bustling ports, castle towns, and peaceful shrines. Ubisoft’s signature environmental storytelling shines, especially with dynamic weather effects and seasonal changes that make the world feel more alive than ever before.
The game features a dual-protagonist system, letting you take on the roles of Naoe, a nimble and deadly shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful juggernaut of a samurai. Their contrasting playstyles create a fun/diverse dynamic. Naoe excels in stealth, using shadows, parkour, and deception, while Yasuke embraces direct combat, using his towering size and wielding his raw strength to cut down foes with precision and brutality. While “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate” experimented with a similar character-swapping mechanic, “Shadows” makes it feel truly meaningful. You can complete the game favoring one character over the other, but certain missions are better suited to a specific approach. The choice between stealth and force is always present, giving you the freedom to tailor your experience. One could very easily brute their way through the entire game, but that may prove to be too easy and not necessarily the best way to play as you may miss fun stealth missions that were designed.
Beyond combat, “Shadows” introduces a spy network system, which allows you to gather intelligence and recruit allies with unique abilities that can aid you in your missions. There is also a customizable hideout that offers a space to train new recruits, craft gear, and personalize the base to reflect your growing shinobi league. This isn’t a feature I particularly spent much time in, seeing as how these sorts of mechanics aren’t my thing, but it does add some extra depth, though it doesn’t reinvent the formula Ubisoft has relied on for years.
Where “Shadows” falters unfortunately, is in its storytelling and structure. Much like its recent predecessors, the narrative feels fractured and somewhat cumbersome to follow. The overarching lore of the Assassins and Templars continues to take a backseat again, with only minor references that never get fully resolved. What is here though doesn’t even get resolved, this lack of closure strongly suggests that key story elements may be locked behind future DLC, which is a pretty uncool practice to do to your fans. The main story does have its moments even if it took until the second act to really get going. The story didn’t really start clicking until near the end, but then it was over. I almost wish that was near where the game started narratively. On a gameplay level, “Shadows” refines and polishes rather than innovates. Combat, particularly when playing as Yasuke, is fun and rewarding, while stealth has never felt more immersive for those who prefer a methodical approach. Parkour has been expanded with new, fluid animations, making traversal a joy, unless a mission asks you to travel very far, then it turns into a bit of a slog. The mission structure remains largely repetitive, lacking the creativity that this point in the franchise’s life really needs right now. Exploration, something I loved doing in the past, feels unusually linear compared to previous entries, limiting the sense of vast discovery that “Assassin’s Creed” is known for.
Visually, “Shadows” is a technical marvel. The artistic direction leans more daring than expected, delivering some of the most stunning landscapes and set pieces in the franchise. The world is captivating, with detailed environments that bring feudal Japan to life in breathtaking fashion. Naoe and Yasuke also emerge as two of the strongest protagonists in the series, carrying the story even when the overarching plot struggles to keep up. Despite its flaws, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” remains a solid addition to the franchise. It refines its mechanics, offers a visually stunning world, and introduces two compelling protagonists. Although, its inability to break free from Ubisoft’s repetitive formula and its lack of significant innovation prevent it from reaching true greatness. The game will undoubtedly resonate with many players, but for those seeking a truly fresh take on the series, it may feel all too familiar. It is a great game, but not the groundbreaking experience it could have been and certainly not the Hail Mary Ubisoft needs right now.
8/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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