Ubisoft has clearly hit the brakes and taken a hard look at how they make games, and it shows in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. After multiple delays, it launches with an impressive level of polish, something Outlaws struggled with. While Ubisoft’s open worlds often fall into the Far Cry formula, Shadows stands apart, bringing the beloved Origins gameplay to the long-awaited setting of feudal Japan. With Ghost of Tsushima setting a high bar, comparisons are inevitable. The question is, does Shadows carve its own legacy, or does it linger in Ghost of Tsushima’s shadow?

The Sengoku Period in Japan in 1579 saw intense civil war that led to the great unification of Japan as we know it today. It was also a time when the Portuguese were active, reaching as far as Japan to trade and sell firearms while their Jesuit missionaries spread Christianity. It is in this period that our protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, come into focus. As a samurai in the service of the famous Nobunaga Oda, Yasuke was a former slave with the Portuguese who travelled with Luís Fróis himself. Naoe is a ninja and a survivor of the Iko-Ikki clan, renowned for their arts of assassination. As their paths cross, both samurai and ninja must embrace their own shadows to hunt down a mysterious group of masked samurai in a tale of revenge.

Engaging storytelling

With Assassin’s Creed Origins setting a high point for storytelling in the franchise, Shadows comes close. From the very first moment we meet Yasuke, then known as Diogo, there is a strong connection, especially given our history with the Portuguese. Assassin’s Creed has always served as a fascinating window into history, and Shadows strikes a chord. Naoe’s story is equally compelling, and Ubisoft’s writers have carefully built backstories leading up to their fateful meeting. This investment in character development kept me engaged throughout the game. The main plot is a strong driver, delivering an exceptional core experience.

Veering off the main path is where Shadows becomes a bit murky. Open-world games, due to their scale, often rely on repeated quest patterns, and Shadows is no exception. Even Ghost of Tsushima had its share of repetitive shrine missions. Unfortunately, Shadows’ side quests can feel copy-pasted, even though they offer the best loot. However, the combat loop is superb, with a refined fighting system that originated in Origins and has now been perfected.

On the topic of combat, Shadows effectively offers two games in one. One follows the Origins-style action, while the other embraces the classic Assassin’s Creed experience. Choose Yasuke, and you get a tank capable of cutting down entire armies, smashing through doors, and forging his own path — stealth is not his forte. Naoe, on the other hand, is the quintessential assassin, using nimble parkour traversal, stealth kills, and various ninjutsu techniques. While she is fragile in direct combat, a skilled player can eliminate enemies swiftly and vanish into the shadows. The ability to switch between the two characters at will keeps the gameplay fresh.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows screenshot
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Special Arrangement

A polished experience

Add to that a massive skill tree and a variety of weapons. My favourite for Naoe is the ball-and-sickle Kusarigama for its extended reach, while Yasuke’s polearm, the Naginata, makes executions particularly brutal. For those who prefer slow yet powerful attacks, Yasuke’s Kanabō delivers satisfyingly crushing blows. The depth of combat compensates for any shortcomings, and I often found myself diving into battle or, when the mood struck, using kunai for stealth takedowns, fulfilling my Naruto-inspired dreams.

If you were expecting the hilarious bugs seen in Assassin’s Creed Unity memes, prepare to be disappointed. Shadows is polished, with almost no bugs — though the screen reader did keep turning on unexpectedly. The world is vast and packed with activities, but thankfully, Ubisoft has refrained from overloading it with quest markers, as seen in previous games. Instead, players must discover quests organically through conversations and clues, which is often more enjoyable than the quests themselves. That said, my favourite pastime was petting the various small animals I encountered. It is evident that a great deal of love from the developers has gone into these delightful interactions.

The environments in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are breathtaking. The realistic weather and wind effects feel immersive, accompanied by excellent sound design. On several occasions, during urgent quests, I found myself pausing just to admire the sakura blossoms illuminated by the sun. Combat also feels more tangible than in past entries. Previous games, including Origins, often felt like characters were floating as weapons clashed. In Shadows, katanas genuinely slice, and parries create sparks, making for a much more refined experience.

Fans of Assassin’s Creed can rejoice — Shadows is a worthy addition to the series, nearly reaching the heights of Origins while introducing fresh mechanics. Both Naoe and Yasuke are highly likable, on par with legendary protagonists like Ezio and Bayek. Yasuke, in particular, brings a unique gravitas and personality. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is elegant, beautiful, and an essential play, especially for long-time fans of the series.