It seems like ever since Assassin’s Creed debuted in 2007, fans have been clamoring for an installment set in feudal Japan. Now, after nearly 20 years, that wish has finally come true with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest entry in the esteemed stealth-action series. While I was a particularly big fan of previous Assassin’s Creed titles like Origins and Odyssey, Ubisoft has since come under fire for their recent string of mediocre games. Even big-budget projects like Star Wars Outlaws have failed to impress, so what’s to say that Assassin’s Creed won’t fall victim to the same mistakes? After decades of anticipation, is Assassin’s Creed Shadows the shinobi-filled adventure we’ve been waiting for, or is this another swing and a miss for Ubisoft?
Two Heroes Apart, Come Together
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in 15th century Japan, and in a change of pace for the franchise, it follows two separate protagonists as they fight for the Order of Assassins across the island. First, there’s Fujibayashi Naoe, a young female shinobi living in the Iga region. When Iga is attacked by the powerful leader, Oda Nobunaga, she is thrust into a journey of revenge against those who invaded her home. However, Oda has found a special bodyguard in Yasuke, a samurai of African origin whose prowess on the battlefield is widely respected. Eventually, Naoe and Yasuke team up, and together, battle against the mysterious Templars that infect the land.
Both of the protagonists are fun to play as, and just like in Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, the two characters represent different play styles to enjoy. Thanks to Naoe’s dexterity, grappling hook, and smaller frame, she excels as a stealthy infiltrator, able to sneak into sprawling palaces and strike from the shadows. On the other hand, Yasuke is a formidable warrior who dominates during battle, and that overwhelming strength also allows him to bash down doors and access areas that Naoe otherwise cannot. Like other recent entries in the series, Shadows contains some light RPG elements, allowing you to equip new gear, unlock additional abilities, and more.
Several changes have been made to the existing Assassin’s Creed formula, like an added emphasis on exploration. This time, quests are less guided than before, forcing you to investigate areas to uncover objectives, or use precious scouts to search around beforehand. The environment is also a bit tougher to traverse, thanks to Japan’s unique terrain. You won’t be able to run in a straight line anymore, as you must weave through mountain bypasses and cross water occasionally, leading to some crazy new sea-based fortress battles. You can also create your own home base, building new structures and adding decorations for passive bonuses. In my opinion, the most interesting addition is the changing seasons, which fluctuate as you make progress through the game. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter are all represented, and these seasonal changes alter gameplay in surprising ways. For example, it’s harder to sneak through bushes in the Winter, as there are no leaves to hide behind, but bodies of water become easier to cross as lakes and ponds freeze over.
Legacy of Shadows
For what it’s worth, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a respectable follow-up in this RPG era of the franchise, but it doesn’t quite hit the heights I was hoping for. The dual protagonists are a cool concept, though it’s been done before, while the changing seasons and extra gameplay features spice up the experience further. However, the side content can feel sparse, which makes navigation occasionally boring, though the parkour is still as fun as ever. For me, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is still the best of the RPG-style installments, but Assassin’s Creed Shadows has plenty going for it, making it an improvement on past titles like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla.
To that end, if you’re a casual fan of the franchise or haven’t played an Assassin’s Creed game in a while, Shadows is worth your time. However, if you’re a bit burned out by the previous games, you might experience more open-world burnout. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has shown that they’re willing to mix up the formula, but this feels somewhat like a half-measure. At the very least, it’ll be interesting to see how the franchise evolves in the future. For now, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is lots of fun, but it’s probably not the knockout hit that Ubisoft was hoping for.
