The Assassin’s Creed series finally travels to feudal Japan to embrace Samurai and Ninja in a setting that many fans thought would have come a lot sooner, but was it worth the wait? Well.. yes, the game being delayed has had the effect on the finished product that you would expect, it’s a polished complete version of a game that isn’t riddled with bugs and is very enjoyable to play.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows may not delve as deeply into the art of swordplay as some of its contemporaries, but it still delivers a punishing and brutal combat experience. As an assassin game, one standout mechanic is how you can weaponize darkness by extinguishing light sources in an area to obscure enemy visibility. It’s a clever feature that not only enhances gameplay but also showcases Ubisoft’s dynamic lighting system beautifully.
The game was said to be delayed due to running improvements on the parkour system and the movement is vastly improved to earlier versions of the game I saw and played, the new system is far a more fluid and intuitive way of traversing the environmental obstacles.
Exploration is a huge part of the modern Assassin’s Creed titles and this interpretation of Japan is undeniably stunning, with swaying grass, windswept foliage, and picturesque landscapes that in my opinion rival the beauty of Ghost of Tsushima. (Look I got 4 paragraphs before I mentioned it!)
To enhance the cinematic experience, I opted to play the game in “Immersive Mode,” which featured Japanese dialogue accompanied by English subtitles. I also allowed the game to dictate my interactions, ensuring the story unfolded as intended. This early choice in shaping the gameplay experience feels deeply personal, tailored to each player’s preferences, and is a brilliantly executed feature that adds meaningful depth to the overall experience.
The map is comparable in size to that of Assassin’s Creed Origins, offering an expansive world to explore. While towns and settlements are rich with activities and points of interest, the spaces between them can sometimes feel like extended horse-riding simulations. However, the game truly shines in its depiction of seasonal changes, which are nothing short of a visual masterpiece. These shifts not only enhance the beauty of the world with stunning vistas but also introduce subtle gameplay variations, encouraging players to revisit favorite locations in different seasons to experience their transformations.
Seasons also influence gameplay strategies. For instance, in winter, icicles hanging from rooftops can be used creatively, shooting them with a ranged weapon can distract guards by drawing their attention. At the same time, winter’s barren landscapes offer less tall grass for concealment, and in spring it requires players to lay prone rather than crouch altering how you approach stealth scenarios. These seasonal dynamics add depth and variety, making the world feel alive and ever-changing.
The core gameplay revolves around assassinating various factions of corrupt bosses in what feels like a classic Samurai film straight out of the Ninja Film Studios of Kyoto.
While this formula can feel grind-heavy and checklist-driven, it remains undeniably satisfying. The mechanic of always looking to upgrade to newer, deadlier equipment feeds into this loop nicely, incentivizing exploration and combat. The gear itself is immaculately designed, and the game’s transmog system, allowing you to customize the appearance of any gear without sacrificing its stats, was a welcome addition.
As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter “observable moments” which are opportunities to pause and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of nature in feudal Japan. Along the way, you’ll meet NPCs who will add some powerful moments to the story while others become guides, helping you uncover new areas.
One character you meet is a young boy whose story is one of the most compelling moments of the game. I won’t go into spoiler territory here but I will say that the writing in these moments is award worthy.
You’ll also secure a settlement, a place uniquely yours to build and expand as you see fit. This settlement can be fully customized to serve as your safe haven, offering a secure space to store your favourite weapons, armor, and valuable resources. It also becomes home to your trusted allies, creating a hub of activity and support tailored perfectly to your needs. Whether you want a fortress of solitude or a bustling base of operations, the choice is yours.
I played through the title on the PlayStation 5 in performance mode, swapping between it and the PlayStation Portal. The experience was solid, offering over 30 hours of engaging gameplay. Performance mode delivered consistently smooth visuals, while Quality mode only encountered a few minor stutters during particularly intense moments towards the end of the game.
Playing on the portal largely depends on your Wi-Fi performance, which can be hit or miss. Some days offered a smooth experience, while on others, frequent connection drops disrupted gameplay, an issue more related to hardware than the game itself. On good days, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing on a smaller, more intimate screen. This title would be an excellent fit for PC players using devices like the ROG Ally X or the Steam Deck OLED, as it’s perfect for quick, drop-in-and-out gaming sessions.
The story is beautifully crafted, and while I gravitated more toward playing as the Shinobi character, Naoe, I thoroughly enjoyed Yasuke’s outsider narrative, which brought to mind elements of the TV series Shogun. Switching between the two characters worked well, though the transitions were often accompanied by noticeable load times. That said, the way each character approached the same scenarios was masterfully executed, showcasing their distinct differences with impressive detail.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows stays true to the franchise’s core strengths: stealth, assassinations, and a compelling cycle of reconnaissance and execution. It weaves a gripping narrative of intertwined destinies, driven by revenge arcs reminiscent of classic Ninja films like Seven Samurai and 13 Assassins. Each conflict feels deeply personal, with satisfying payoffs that hit all the right emotional notes. While it doesn’t reinvent the series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows masterfully refines what fans love, delivering a polished, nostalgic, and thoroughly engaging experience.
