Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review

For years, Assassin's Creed fans have clamoured for a game set in feudal Japan, a setting rich with history, samurai, and shinobi legends. Ubisoft has finally answered the call with Assassin's Creed Shadows, an ambitious entry in the franchise that delivers an enthralling mix of stealth, action, and open-world exploration. But does it live up to the high expectations? Let's dive into this beautifully crafted world and explore every aspect of what makes Shadows one of the most intriguing Assassin's Creed games to date.

A Stunning Depiction of Feudal Japan

Ubisoft has outdone itself in recreating a visually stunning and deeply immersive world. From bustling castle towns to serene shrines, Shadows takes players through a diverse landscape of cultural richness and historical depth.

The dynamic weather system adds another layer of realism, offering everything from drizzles to full-blown thunderstorms that impact visibility and stealth mechanics. The changing seasons are aesthetic and affect gameplay; for instance, trudging through heavy snow slows down movement, requiring players to strategize accordingly. The day-night cycle further enhances immersion, influencing enemy patrols and the way missions unfold based on the time of day. Making this one of Ubisoft's best-looking games, to date.

Dual Protagonists: Shinobi and Samurai

One of the most exciting features of Shadows is the ability to play as two distinct characters: Naoe, the shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, the legendary samurai. Each offers a unique playstyle, catering to different approaches to combat and exploration.

Naoe: The Art of Shadows

As Naoe, players embrace the traditional Assassin's Creed stealth gameplay. She relies on light, noise, and environmental shadows to remain undetected. Her arsenal includes kunai, shuriken, smoke bombs, and the classic hidden blade. Using her grappling hook and parkour abilities, Naoe can scale buildings and sneak past guards with ease. The stealth mechanics are finely tuned, with AI reacting dynamically to distractions and changes in their environment.

Yasuke: The Power of a Samurai

In contrast, Yasuke is a powerhouse, wielding devastating melee weapons like katanas, kanabō, and naginata. His combat style focuses on blocking, parrying, and delivering brutal executions. Unlike Naoe, Yasuke is not designed for stealth but thrives in open combat. His sheer strength allows him to smash through doors and obstacles, making him a formidable warrior on the battlefield. The combat system is deeply satisfying, with responsive controls and weighty animations that make every strike feel impactful.

Gameplay Mechanics: A Smooth and Brutal Experience

Guided Exploration & Immersion

A new feature introduced in Shadows is Guided Exploration, where players must gather clues and use their network to locate objectives rather than relying on traditional waypoints. This system encourages exploration and investigation, making the world feel more alive. However, for those who prefer a more straightforward experience, this feature can be toggled off.

Another impressive addition is the "Cannon Mode," which allows players to influence Naoe and Yasuke’s decisions during cutscenes. For those seeking a deeply immersive experience, "Immersive Mode" locks the voice-over language to Japanese, blending in Portuguese for added authenticity.

Tactical Enemy AI & Dynamic Combat

Enemy AI has seen a major overhaul. On higher difficulties, enemies are more alert and will actively search for hidden players, even looking upwards in environments where shinobi may be hiding. Enemies will call for reinforcements or use their scouts to track players down. One memorable gameplay moment involves an enemy reacting to a barking dog, which players can manipulate by stealing its food to create a distraction. These small details make encounters feel more organic and unpredictable. Combat is just fun, with either character. Either you're kicking people off with Yasuke Spartan Kick, or being sneaky with Naoe and completing the mission without being noticed. This is what keeps me playing as if I failed a mission, I found myself challenging myself to complete a mission a certain way.

The Most Beautiful Assassin's Creed Game Yet

Visually, Shadows is nothing short of breathtaking. The interplay of light and shadows, the way the moon reflects on water, and the environmental effects like fog, snowstorms, and heavy rainstorms make this the most graphically impressive Assassin's Creed title to date. The attention to detail is astounding, whether it’s the wind picking up dust from the ground or raindrops glistening on armour.

A Living, Breathing World

Seasons and weather patterns affect gameplay beyond just aesthetics. Snow slows movement, fog provides cover, and heavy rain drowns out footsteps. Additionally, the inclusion of a village-building system adds a rewarding layer of progression. Upgrading your village unlocks more scouts, resources, and potential allies. Some characters even join your cause permanently, assisting in battle or becoming part of your growing network.

RPG Mechanics: Evolving the Assassin's Creed Formula

The RPG system in Shadows builds on the foundations laid by Origins and Valhalla. Skills are tied to exploration and levelling, with Knowledge Points unlocking new abilities. The gear system allows for upgrades rather than strict level requirements, ensuring that favoured weapons and armour remain viable throughout the game. This system strikes a good balance between progression and customization, preventing the grind-heavy mechanics that some past entries suffered from. While it was neat to have a vast skill tree, I wasn't a fan of the fact to unlock the next level, you have to get knowledge points which are spread around shrines that you either find scroll or pray at.

Areas for Improvement

While Assassin's Creed Shadows is a triumph in many ways, it does have a few shortcomings.

• Mission Structure Fatigue: Some objectives feel unnecessarily prolonged, requiring players to travel long distances just to trigger brief dialogue exchanges. This padding can slow down the pacing at times.
• English Voice Acting Issues: While the Japanese voice acting is stellar, some English performances, particularly for Naoe, feel weaker in comparison. Yasuke's English voice actor did a great job with their role.
• No Quick Character Switching: A minor gripe, but it would have been convenient to choose which character to reload as after failing a mission, rather than being forced into one. Not sure if this is something that can come after its release, but if an area is being difficult, maybe trying a stealthy way might be the answer.

Final Verdict

Despite a few minor setbacks, Assassin's Creed Shadows is a phenomenal entry in the franchise. This is a game that is meant for the player to take their time, and enjoy the story. The combination of stealth-focused shinobi gameplay and the sheer power of samurai combat makes for a thrilling experience. The world is meticulously crafted, the combat is smooth and satisfying, and the dynamic AI ensures that every encounter feels fresh. The story, while at times overshadowed by its gameplay, still provides enough intrigue to keep players engaged.

For long-time fans, Shadows captures the essence of what makes Assassin’s Creed special, even if the Animus and modern-day storytelling take a backseat. For newcomers, this is one of the best Assassin's Creed games to jump into. it would be nice to see the franchise reconnect to the Assassin's Creed story of the animus and why we're being sent back to play as these characters.

Ubisoft has finally given fans the feudal Japan Assassin’s Creed experience they’ve dreamed of. With stunning visuals, fluid gameplay, and a deeply immersive world, Assassin’s Creed Shadows stands tall as one of the best entries in the series. This is the Most Beautiful Assassin's Creed Game Ever!