The Assassin’s Creed franchise has long been a beacon for action-adventure enthusiasts, and Ubisoft’s latest title, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, promises to continue that legacy while introducing some exciting new features. As the fourteenth major installment in the series, Shadows marks a significant evolution in gameplay, setting, and storytelling, with an emphasis on historical accuracy, innovative mechanics, and a rich narrative. Scheduled for release on February 14, 2025, this game takes players to the turbulent 16th-century Japan during the final years of the Sengoku period, offering a unique perspective with two playable protagonists—Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai.
Let’s explore what makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows an eagerly awaited addition to the Assassin’s Creed universe.
A Rich Historical Setting: Feudal Japan in the Sengoku Era
One of the standout features of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is its historical backdrop. Set in the late 1500s, the game transports players to the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Japan, a time of intense civil strife during the Sengoku period. It’s a dynamic era where powerful warlords like Oda Nobunaga vied for control of the country. In Shadows, players will explore pivotal moments in history, including Nobunaga’s famous campaign against the Iga province in 1581, which saw the clash between samurai and the infamous Iga ninja.
The game’s map spans several key locations, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and the Iga province, with authentic castles such as Takeda and Fukuchiyama recreated in stunning detail. The influence of Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries, who brought new technologies and Christianity to Japan, will also play a significant role in shaping the environment and the narrative.
With intricate dungeons, bustling urban centers, and a world shaped by both traditional and new technologies, the setting of Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a visually rich and historically immersive experience that few games have achieved.
Dual Protagonists: A New Approach to Gameplay
In a departure from the franchise’s usual single-protagonist model, Shadows introduces two unique characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, an African samurai. This dual protagonist system allows players to switch between the two as they progress through different missions, each offering a distinct playstyle and narrative perspective.
Naoe, inspired by the traditional role of a shinobi, utilizes stealth, agility, and a host of deadly tools, including her iconic hidden blade and kusarigama (a chain weapon). Her playstyle emphasizes stealthy approaches, allowing players to sneak past enemies, crawl through small openings, and take out foes with precision. Naoe’s ability to move silently indoors, especially during the night, gives her a clear advantage when it comes to stealth-based gameplay.
On the other hand, Yasuke, inspired by the real-life historical figure of the same name, takes a more direct and forceful approach to combat. A towering figure with extraordinary strength, Yasuke wields katanas, war clubs, and even arquebuses—early firearms that give him a long-range advantage. His combat sequences are visually stunning, with destructible environments adding to the intensity of every battle.
This duality of characters opens up a wealth of strategic options. While Yasuke can take a more head-on approach in combat, Naoe’s stealth mechanics allow players to navigate tricky situations with finesse. Whether choosing to attack from the shadows or engage in an all-out fight, the ability to switch between characters makes for a dynamic and fluid gameplay experience.
Engaging Stealth Mechanics: A Ground-Up Overhaul
The stealth system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows has undergone significant changes, adding depth and realism to how players approach missions. The removal of the eagle vision mechanic, which was a hallmark in earlier games like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, introduces a new, more tactical approach to stealth. Players now must rely on their characters’ senses—listening for footsteps, observing environmental sounds, and paying attention to enemy movements to gain the upper hand.
One of the standout additions to the game is the “Observe” mode, which allows players to gather information on targets quickly. This mode works even when characters are in high vantage points, making it easier to plan an attack from a distance. Furthermore, Shadows introduces new ways of hiding, including dynamic shadows that allow players to blend into the environment, making them invisible to enemies when crouching in dark corners.
Naoe’s stealth tactics are particularly noteworthy. During nighttime or in shaded areas, she can completely disappear from enemy sight, providing opportunities for silent takedowns. Additionally, players can use the environment to their advantage, such as throwing shurikens to destroy lanterns, plunging enemies into darkness. These mechanics, combined with Naoe’s ability to crawl on rooftops and underwater, create a more immersive and flexible stealth experience.
Combat and Exploration: Refined and Cinematic
In addition to its deep stealth elements, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers intense combat sequences, especially when playing as Yasuke. With destructible environments and realistic weapon impacts, every battle feels cinematic and impactful. Yasuke’s arsenal includes traditional samurai weapons like katanas and spears, as well as the deadly arquebus for ranged combat. The dynamic nature of combat, with the ability to destroy parts of the environment, adds a new layer of strategy and excitement.
Naoe’s combat style, on the other hand, is focused on agility and precision. Her hidden blade allows for quick assassinations, while her kusarigama lets her control distance, swinging the chain to disarm or incapacitate enemies. Whether you’re sneaking past foes or engaging in intense sword fights, the game offers a diverse combat experience that caters to different playstyles.
The game’s open-world design, which is comparable in size to Assassin’s Creed Origins, encourages exploration and freedom. The changing seasons, from icy winters to blooming springs, influence gameplay, with frozen lakes or high grass providing unique opportunities for stealth and combat. The world itself is rich in detail, offering ample space for parkour, climbing, and traversing the intricate rooftops of Japanese castles and villages.
New Tools and Gadgets
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces several new tools that enhance gameplay, particularly for Naoe. She has access to traditional shinobi gadgets such as smoke bombs, shurikens, kunai throwing knives, and even Shinobi Bells, which can be thrown to create distractions. These tools offer both offensive and defensive options, allowing players to approach each mission with versatility. Whether creating chaos to escape or using distractions to eliminate enemies, these new tools help players navigate the game’s challenges in creative ways.
A Focus on Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity
One of the most controversial elements surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the inclusion of Yasuke, an African samurai. Some critics on social media questioned the portrayal of Yasuke, arguing that he was not a “real” samurai, or accusing Ubisoft of forcing diversity into the game. However, historians, including Thomas Lockley, have defended Yasuke’s historical significance, stating that no reputable Japanese historian has questioned his status as a samurai. Ubisoft has embraced Yasuke’s role, emphasizing that players can experience Japan through his eyes, a foreigner discovering a new world—a unique narrative perspective not often explored in samurai stories.
Conclusion: Anticipating a Landmark Release Date
With its rich historical setting, dual protagonists, innovative gameplay, and deep cultural narrative, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to become one of the most exciting releases in the franchise’s history. The game’s improvements in stealth, combat, and world-building, combined with a fresh take on Japanese history and mythology, promise a truly immersive experience. Whether you prefer the direct combat of Yasuke or the agile stealth of Naoe, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a diverse and engaging gameplay experience that is sure to captivate both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Scheduled for release on February 14, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be a landmark title in the Assassin’s Creed series, offering a thrilling combination of action, history, and narrative depth that will undoubtedly set a new standard for future games in the franchise.
