Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review

Ubisoft has finally answered years of fan requests with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, taking the beloved series into the heart of Sengoku-era Japan. This latest entry blends stealth and action with a fresh dual-protagonist narrative, bringing a renewed vigor to a franchise that has often flirted with stagnation. By spotlighting a kunoichi and a legendary African samurai, Ubisoft Quebec has masterfully crafted an experience that feels both familiar and revolutionary.

The anticipation surrounding Shadows was considerable—not just because of the setting but due to Ubisoft’s ambitious promise of returning the series to its stealth-heavy roots, first revisited in 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Fortunately, Shadows largely succeeds, enhancing stealth mechanics with innovative gameplay tweaks, delivering an atmosphere that truly evokes the tension and subtlety of classic shinobi warfare.

Visually stunning and historically captivating, Shadows harnesses the raw power of next-gen hardware to portray a vivid and dynamic world. Set in the turmoil of late 16th-century Japan, every blade of grass, drop of rain, and ray of moonlight contributes to a world that begs for exploration. With a narrative split between Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke—each possessing distinct fighting styles and storylines—players enjoy an engaging variety that maintains freshness throughout dozens of hours of gameplay.

Yet, while the idea of playing in feudal Japan isn’t exactly novel in gaming, Ubisoft Quebec cleverly circumvents clichés by grounding the story in detailed historical authenticity. The nuanced portrayal of legendary figures like Oda Nobunaga and Hattori Hanzo, alongside lesser-known characters and locations, gives a tangible authenticity that elevates the experience. Indeed, Shadows isn’t just another Assassin’s Creed; it’s the Assassin’s Creed many have long dreamt of.

Setting and Story

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Azuchi-Momoyama period—an era rife with political intrigue, clan rivalries, and military conquest—Assassin’s Creed Shadows places players directly into the tumultuous and often brutal heart of 16th-century Japan. With its lush landscapes, bustling trade cities, and shadowy rural hideaways, the game’s rendition of regions like Kyoto, Osaka, and Iga Province provides an authentic yet creatively enhanced playground ripe for exploration. Historical figures such as Oda Nobunaga, Hattori Hanzo, and even foreign missionaries appear, deepening immersion by blurring the lines between historical fact and Assassin’s Creed’s beloved fictional mythology.

The narrative thrust of Shadows is refreshingly robust, following two distinct protagonists whose stories eventually intertwine in a satisfying crescendo. Fujibayashi Naoe, a skilled kunoichi, undertakes a quest for vengeance and truth after losing her father and a mysterious artifact. Her emotional journey, laden with familial loyalty and personal loss, contrasts compellingly with that of Yasuke, an African samurai whose real-life legend is fascinatingly adapted here. Yasuke’s tale is deeply personal, exploring themes of identity, freedom, and redemption, as he navigates alliances and rivalries in a land not originally his own.

Ubisoft Quebec smartly leverages historical events—like Nobunaga’s infamous assault on the Iga province—and molds them into critical story beats, placing players directly in the action. The narrative cleverly intertwines with real historical occurrences, such as the Honnō-ji Incident, allowing players to experience monumental moments through the unique Assassin’s Creed lens. The historical richness isn’t merely a backdrop; it’s intricately woven into the fabric of the story, informing character motivations and plot twists that continually engage and surprise.

At its core, Shadows delivers a character-driven story of conflicting loyalties and hidden truths, anchored by two engaging protagonists whose personal arcs resonate deeply. While the overarching conflict between Assassins and Templars remains familiar territory, Ubisoft breathes new life into this struggle by carefully contextualizing it within Japan’s complex feudal tapestry. The result is a narrative that feels both timelessly epic and intimately human, pulling players along not just for thrilling stealth sequences, but for an emotional ride through one of history’s most fascinating eras.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t merely revisit familiar stealth-action mechanics—it reinvigorates them. At its heart, the gameplay retains the classic stealthy traversal and deadly assassination mechanics fans expect but integrates fresh, innovative elements like environmental interactions, destructible objects, and strategic shadow play. With the clever addition of breakable lanterns and bamboo breathing tubes for underwater stealth, Ubisoft Quebec enhances the traditional “hide-in-plain-sight” gameplay with newfound depth—literally and figuratively.

Combat feels impressively dynamic, especially considering the distinct fighting styles of the two protagonists. Yasuke embodies raw power and precision, wielding weapons such as the iconic katana and the intimidating kanabō war club. The inclusion of arquebuses (early firearms) is historically accurate and adds substantial strategic depth, letting players manage combat scenarios from a safe distance. Naoe, on the other hand, relies heavily on speed, agility, and cunning stealth, using her hidden blade, versatile kusarigama, and throwable kunai to surgically dismantle enemy ranks. The game fluidly allows switching between these characters, delivering two genuinely distinct yet complementary combat experiences.

Movement and traversal in Shadows are given fresh attention through new mechanics like crawling, shadow manipulation, and the highly versatile grappling hook—tools that elevate both stealth and exploration. Navigating crowded Japanese streets and castle rooftops becomes an art form as players carefully balance verticality and visibility. The addition of nightingale floors that creak underfoot introduces another thoughtful layer of challenge, requiring precise movements and situational awareness. Meanwhile, vantage points now focus purely on strategic environmental assessment rather than simply marking objectives, a subtle yet meaningful enhancement to player autonomy.

Perhaps the most intriguing addition is the “Observe” mode, which cleverly builds upon the series’ iconic Eagle Vision. This mechanic allows players to strategically gather intelligence about their surroundings, learning enemy behaviors and layouts before striking. Coupled with robust weapon skill trees and the ability to cultivate spy networks, Assassin’s Creed Shadows achieves a remarkable balance between action, stealth, and strategic preparation. In short, the gameplay mechanics don’t just complement the compelling story—they elevate it, crafting a richly satisfying experience that encourages creativity, tactical planning, and sharp execution.

Multiplayer and Replayability

While recent Assassin’s Creed entries leaned heavily into sprawling single-player experiences, Assassin’s Creed Shadows wisely reintroduces a more nuanced form of multiplayer, focusing on cooperative gameplay that enriches the overall narrative experience. Ubisoft Quebec has seamlessly woven multiplayer components into the main campaign, allowing friends to tackle stealth missions and combat scenarios together as the game’s dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. This cooperative dynamic significantly boosts replay value, as tackling scenarios with another player can fundamentally alter mission strategy and outcomes.

Unlike some earlier titles that shoehorned multiplayer as separate, often disconnected modes, Shadows integrates cooperative play organically within the campaign itself. Missions that already feel strategically complex in single-player mode gain even more depth when two players coordinate tactics—one character distracting guards while the other assassinates from the shadows or engages foes head-on. The fluidity with which you can switch from solo to co-op sessions is seamless, letting players jump in or out without disrupting the immersive experience.

Replayability is also enhanced through a wealth of side missions, factional politics, and espionage opportunities. Building and managing spy networks encourages players to revisit previously explored areas with new objectives and challenges, breathing life into the beautifully crafted world. The inclusion of dynamic seasonal shifts—each affecting environmental interactions and enemy behavior—further invites repeated exploration, as different strategies become necessary depending on the time of year, from frozen stealth infiltration in winter to vibrant ambushes in spring.

Ubisoft has also added unique “mastery” challenges and difficulty modifiers post-campaign, encouraging players to reattempt missions under new conditions for additional rewards and achievements. Additionally, a robust progression system featuring extensive skill trees for each weapon type, coupled with cosmetic customizations for both characters, invites players to continue developing their perfect assassins long after the credits roll. Simply put, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a compelling argument for repeated playthroughs, delivering a finely-tuned multiplayer experience and a deeply rewarding replayable campaign.

Graphics and Sound

Ubisoft Quebec has elevated Assassin’s Creed Shadows into one of the series’ most visually arresting titles to date. Harnessing the upgraded Anvil engine to its fullest potential, the game’s stunning rendition of 16th-century Japan bursts with life and detail. From meticulously designed feudal castles adorned with ornate architecture to densely populated city streets of Kyoto and Osaka bustling with activity, every scene captures historical authenticity and artistic elegance. The dynamic lighting system deserves particular praise, accentuating the game’s central theme—shadows—while beautifully highlighting the seasonal changes in the environment.

Character models are remarkably detailed and expressive, capturing subtleties in facial expressions and intricate clothing textures that lend authenticity to the historical period. Notably, the protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, each showcase distinctive animation styles reflective of their unique gameplay mechanics: Naoe’s nimble, stealthy movements contrast vividly with Yasuke’s powerful and deliberate combat animations. Weapon impacts and environmental destruction further amplify the cinematic flair of combat sequences, making each encounter viscerally satisfying.

Complementing the impressive visuals is a thoughtfully curated soundscape, effortlessly immersing players in its historical setting. The ambient sounds of rustling leaves, bustling marketplaces, and whispered conversations underscore the game’s stealth mechanics, creating a deeply atmospheric experience. Combat audio is equally impressive; the metallic clash of swords, the whisper of thrown shuriken, and the distinctive blast of arquebus fire vividly bring each skirmish to life. Voice acting is robust across the board, with performances that effectively convey emotional depth and narrative gravitas, grounding even the most fantastical story beats in human drama.

Musically, the game’s score skillfully blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with contemporary orchestral elements, crafting an evocative and emotionally resonant backdrop for exploration and battle. Themes shift dynamically with the player’s actions, rising from tranquil and reflective melodies during exploration to intense, pulse-pounding rhythms in combat scenarios. This meticulous attention to audio-visual detail not only enriches the immersive experience but firmly positions Assassin’s Creed Shadows among the most artistically accomplished entries in the franchise.

Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a triumphant return to form for Ubisoft, seamlessly blending historical intrigue with refined gameplay mechanics. By setting the action in the turbulent final stages of Japan’s Sengoku period, the game successfully reinvigorates the series with fresh narrative stakes and compelling dual protagonists. The contrasting styles of Yasuke and Naoe ensure that players have distinct and equally rewarding ways to engage with the game’s rich world, providing ample incentive for replayability.

The refined stealth mechanics and expanded parkour system not only emphasize the core Assassin’s Creed experience but also innovate thoughtfully on established formulas. Clever use of shadow and environmental interactions lend new strategic dimensions to gameplay, keeping missions consistently dynamic and engaging. The diverse arsenal of historically accurate weapons and unique skills further deepens combat scenarios, offering players a wealth of tactical choices to experiment with.

Graphically and sonically, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is nothing short of breathtaking, with Ubisoft Quebec demonstrating their technical prowess in every detail, from lifelike character animations to the evocative soundtrack that beautifully captures the spirit of feudal Japan. While the narrative occasionally dips into predictable territory, the overall execution remains strong, anchored by memorable performances and thoughtful explorations of themes like revenge, redemption, and cultural conflict.

In essence, Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a bold step forward for the franchise. It adeptly combines the best elements of past games with innovative new ideas, setting a high standard for future installments. Both series veterans and newcomers alike will find plenty to admire here, as they traverse the stunning landscapes of Japan’s storied past in an unforgettable journey.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the PlayStation 5 version provided by Ubisoft.