After more than a decade of fan begging, Ubisoft has finally delivered a long-awaited entry to launch the Assassin’s Creed franchise into Feudal Japan.
A beautiful mix of historical depth, open-world exploration, and dual-protagonist storytelling, it’s already garnering praise from fans and critics alike. Here’s everything you need to know:
A Leap into Feudal Japan
Welcome to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set within 16th-century Japan during its turbulent Sengoku era, riven by civil war, shifting alliances, and rising legends. Ubisoft Quebec will remake Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and Iga in great detail as one explores these cities in proper open-world fashion, just like the franchise is known for. From misty temples to busy markets and war-torn villages, everything feels alive.
Dual Protagonists: Yasuke and Naoe
For the first time since Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, it is possible for players to play through the game with two playable protagonists, each differing radically in game experiences.
- In the game, Yasuke is based on an African samurai in the service of Oda Nobunaga. This Yasuke is a powerhouse among melee fighters, focusing on heavy weapons and brutal attacks combined with frontal confrontations.
- Naoe is an imaginary shinobi from Iga that brings to life the stealth side of franchises. She offers silent takedowns, agility-based movement, classic parkour, and precision tools that will offer up a more tactical, covert option for the players to complete objectives.
It combines the brute strength of Yasuke with Naoe’s finesse through various dynamic missions featuring many alternative problem-solving ways.
Gameplay Innovations and New Features
Ubisoft sought to nail the Assassin’s Creed formula, where stealth, action, and RPG elements meld together in an exceptional combination. Key upgrades include:
Refined Combat System
Add that to the heft and precision of a samurai’s swordplay, mix in the faster, more acrobatic combat of the shinobi, and you’ll get some of the most satisfying fights the franchise has to offer.
Grappling Hook & Advanced Parkour
New grappling hook changes the way you move: scale buildings in a single bound, zip line across the open city, and rule the rooftops.
Dynamic Weather & Seasons
Reactions of the world are realistic:
- It reduces visibility.
- Rain masks your footsteps.
- Leaves in autumn camouflage the enemy.
- This environmental impact changes the approach of the player in planning the missions.
Improved Settlement System
Building a hideout, upgrading it, recruiting companions, and crafting weapons give depth to this mode’s progress and customization.
Launch Reception: Critics and Players React
Assassin’s Creed Shadows was released on 20th March 2025, and since then, it has received strong positivity on all platforms.
- Steam: Mostly positive upon release-79% out of close to 500 reviews praising world-building, combat, and the dual-gameplay design.
- PlayStation Store: huge 4.79-star rating with over 1,300 players rating.
Critics praise the title for its dense open world, entertaining story, and seamless transition between Yasuke and Naoe. If there is one minor complaint, it’s with the pacing of the side quests; other than that, it is being touted as one of the strongest entries within the franchise.
Cultural Sensitivity Update
Ubisoft took early criticism from Japanese officials over the destruction of sacred sites seriously, and now a day-one patch makes objects within shrines and temples indestructible for the sake of cultural respect while maintaining the flow of gameplay.
Editions, Pricing, and Where to Buy Assassin’s Creed Shadows will make its way to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows, and macOS.
Here are the various editions:
- Standard Edition: $69.99
- Deluxe Edition: $89.99 – includes additional digital content.
- Collector’s Edition: $229.99 The collector’s edition will contain an exclusive physical collectible.
The game will be available in the Ubisoft Store, Amazon, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and major retailers. Keep an eye out for promotional discounts.
Final Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Shadows does exactly what was expected from it: an immersive Feudal Japan adventure saturated with breathtaking sights, memorable characters, and finely tuned mechanics. Mixing historical authenticity with the signature storytelling of the franchise, Ubisoft has actually created perhaps its most ambitious and well-executed title yet.
Are you jumping into Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Let us know in the comments section below!
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