| Assassin's Creed Shadows | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Preorder & DLC | Review | ||||
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| February 14, 2025 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Action, Adventure, Open World | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
 |
Starts at $69.99 |
| Developer | Publisher |
| Ubisoft | Ubisoft |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| Single-player | Rating Pending |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| TBA | No |
| Official Website | Official Website for Assassin's Creed Shadows |
Assassin's Creed Shadows News
⚫︎ Assassin's Creed Shadows reveals backstory to the game's new ninja: 'The fastest Assassin we ever made'. AC Shadows creative director Jonathan Dumont revealed that Naoe, one of the game's dual protagonists, is the fastest Assassin Ubisoft has ever made in the series. (Entertainment Weekly)
⚫︎ Assassin's Creed Shadows: Combat Gameplay Overview revealed in a blog post by Ubisoft. (Assassin's Creed Shadows Official)
⚫︎ Assassin's Creed Shadows Early Access Cancelled Amongst Other Moves at Ubisoft. (Game8)
⚫︎ Ubisoft Says Assassin's Creed Shadows and Ghost of Yotei Can Both Sell Well. (Game8)
Assassin's Creed Shadows Overview
Assassin's Creed Shadows is action adventure game developed and published by Ubisoft. It serves as the fourteenth entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise and the successor to the 2023 title, Assassin's Creed Mirage. The game is set in 16th century Japan and features two protagonists, Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai inspired by the historical samurai to Oda Nobunaga. The game releases on February 14, 2025 for PC (Windows, mac OS), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and iPadOS.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation |
Xbox |
Steam |
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Assassin's Creed Shadows Gameplay
Dual Protagonists, Action Adventure Open World, Stealth, Combat
Assassin's Creed Shadows is an action adventure open world video game where players control two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and uncover a story set in feudal Japan. Players explore a world map filled with diverse landscapes, missions to complete, sites to explore, and more. The game features a dynamic environment where weather patterns shift and seasons change, affecting gameplay in real-time.
As with other Assassin's Creed games, it has information gathering mechanics where players explore the environment, scout locations, and gather vital intel to uncover hidden areas and identify targets. Players also build a network of spies and recruit allies with unique abilities to aid in quests.
The two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, each offer unique gameplay styles. Yasuke’s gameplay contains a brutal and direct approach, while Naoe’s gameplay highlights stealthy and strategic methods.
As Naoe, players must use stealth and agility to outsmart enemies. Use tools like kunai, shuriken, and smoke bombs to distract guards, while mastering parkour and grappling hook skills to navigate enemy territory unnoticed. Players also can use the hidden blade to silently eliminate targets and accomplish missions. On the other hand, as Yasuke, players focus on precision and strength. Engage enemies in intense combat using a variety of weapons such as katana, kanabo, bows, and more.
Features and Mechanics
Canon Mode
In the game, choices and dialogue options mostly affect recruiting allies and romancing characters. AC Shadows features a Canon Mode that automatically chooses the dialogue options for the player. Ubisoft calls it a "choice-free experience" of AC Shadows when Canon Mode is enabled. Meaning, the game simulates a "canon" version of the game's narrative that isn't affected by branching dialogues.
AC Shadows Stealth System
In AC Shadows, players won't have access to a bird companion that aids with extrasensory perception, simply known as Eagle Vision, unlike in past games. Instead, both Yasuke and Naoe have a new "Observe" mechanic. The Observe mechanic allows players to identify targets, tag and monitor enemies, and highlight loot. However, Naoe has access to Eagle Vision along with her heightened auditory ability that helps highlight enemies hidden behind walls.
The game features colored prompts placed above enemies that indicate whether the player's attack results in an insta-kill (instant kill), damage dealt, or a failed assassination. It also introduces new mechanics in the series such as Naoe being able to hide in the shadows, making her completely invisible, and the ability of both characters to go in a prone stance to reduce visibility. Unique to Naoe in prone stance, she is able to destroy light sources for added darkness and cover. And while prone, Naoe is able to dodge and roll in multiple directions.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Reviews
Mixed, Polarizing
Though no official game reviews and ratings are available yet, Assassin's Creed Shadows has seen polarizing reception so far leading up to its debut next year. In their hands-off impressions, PCGamer noted that the game's stealth gameplay is noteworthy and lives up to the standard set by the other titles in the franchise. They also praised the game's exploration mechanics, noting that it doesn't do too much hand-holding for the players. TheGamer, meanwhile, noted that they were not impressed with the game's weather mechanics as well as its clue-based assassination mechanics, mentioning that they didn't appear to be realistic and make impactful changes to the gameplay overall.
Fan reception of AC Shadows indicates that players are divided on how to feel about the game. Others have expressed that they do not like the dual protagonist approach, additionally noting that one feels more polished than the other. However, some have expressed that having the option of choosing between two distinct playstyles and gameplay can be a bonus to playing the game. Other players have also expressed their disappointment with the game's lore, with some pointing out historical inaccuracies that they find to take away from the overall experience of the game.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Trailers
Official Cinematic World Premiere Trailer
The trailer features Naoe and Yasuke, setting the stage by presenting their origins and eventual convergence as they unite to become the Shadows. The dialogue suggests themes of identity, duty, and the strugle against opression. The phrase We are the shadows that serve the light
encapsulates the central theme of the trailer, suggesting that despite operating in the shadows, their actions are ultimately in service of a greater good.
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