Assassin's Creed Shadows

A reinvigoration of the franchise and one of the most beautiful games of the generation so far.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents an excellent amalgamation of not only the new generation of Creed titles that started with Origins, but also plucking some of the best elements of those that came before. It’s a graphical powerhouse, combined with compelling characters, a meaningful and impactful story that takes risks, and refined gameplay mechanics. This is the new benchmark for the series, and it’s a high bar indeed.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. An addictive adventure in a stunningly provocative open world, and an absolute must play.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking evolution of the open-world formula, blending masterful storytelling, refined stealth mechanics, and stunning visuals. With a gripping dual-protagonist narrative and meticulously crafted historical setting, Ubisoft delivers one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed experiences to date.

Shadows is a stunning return to form for both the franchise and Ubisoft as a whole. Beautiful locations, engaging combat and an unrelenting attention to small details make this one of the best Creed games ever.

Indeed, Shadows doesn't solve some of the core issues with the series' design introduced in these later entries. At the same time, I feel like the fact that I did stick with Shadows all the way through and still found it fresh enough that I was inspired to try reconnecting with its predecessors (which I failed to stick with at the time), speaks to how well it has refined that formula. It has also managed to revive some of the focus and distinctive feel of the older titles in the series, and in doing so, recaptured some of what made Assassin's Creed one of my favorite titles of previous generations.

Shadows may not reinvent Assassin's Creed, but it's still a fun game and another great entry in the series. Exploration in this beautiful locale is great. But for those who are tired of the Assassin's Creed formula, this one isn't going to change your mind.

I didn't have high expectations of Assassins Creed: Shadows, as I've really struggled to become engaged with the most recent entries in the series. The setup in Shadows takes a little while, but the resulting payoff is worth it. The gameplay is engaging, but the plot and characters really drive things forward. It must be challenging to develop a game within such a long-running series and have it still feel like something fresh and new, and Shadows is the closest that a game has come to that in quite some time.

Truthfully, Assassin's Creed Shadows does play it a bit safe and formulaic with its open world. But when the formula is as good as it is in this iteration of the Assassin's Creed franchise, it's hardly a knock against it. After spending about 40 hours traveling around Sengoku-era Japan as both a stealthy shinobi and a powerful samurai, there was still had plenty of untouched side content left to tackle and several endgame quests that demanded both of my heroes to be at levels far beyond their current power.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players to historical Japan, featuring two distinct protagonists – the shinobi Naoe and the samurai Yasuke – each with unique gameplay styles and compelling stories. The game builds on the RPG elements of Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla while streamlining mechanics and introducing a new main menu that connects multiple Assassin’s Creed titles. With no limitations from last-gen consoles, it delivers a richly detailed world, dynamic weather, and brutal combat, though it doesn’t bring major innovations to the series.

Shadows stands out as one of the best Assassin's Creeds since the Ezio trilogy in terms of story and provides an epic journey to Japan.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is one of the finest entries in the series, successfully bringing back stealth-oriented gameplay while retaining the RPG mechanics and refined combat mechanics seen in previous entries in the series, seamlessly integrating them with the dual protagonist setup and a well-paced story that doesn't overstay its welcome. While the game still features way more content and gameplay systems than necessary, its rendition of Feudal Japan is among the best ever seen in a video game, and it is well worth experiencing for the vast majority of players.

In the end, Assassin’s Creed Shadows consolidates itself as an engaging experience that competently balances the best aspects of the saga — and this, let's face it, is a success amid an almost constant identity crisis.

Assassin's Creed Shadows has managed to appear before the players as a solid game that provides the innovation and energy that the series needs to some extent. Not a timeless classic, but has a promising future.

With Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft once again proves that its studios have a real talent for creating universes and worlds in their own right. For those who love open-worlds and feudal Japan, there's no doubt that this installment will offer the expected change of scenery. In terms of gameplay, the complementarity and play styles of Naoe and Yasuke are truly refreshing, and we feel that efforts have been made, at various levels, to try to evolve the formula. Despite everything, if a few elements change, the very heart of the saga is still as present in the way we approach the game's content, sources of flaws that we have known for a long time: the redundancy of activities, the AI ​​​​that leads to quickly mechanical combat, and a somewhat flat story, even if it does have its epic moments. Ultimately, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an effective, mainstream, and entertaining installment, but the series' lack of polish and recurring issues mean that this installment hits a glass ceiling that prevents it from reaching the highest peaks.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally brings us the long awaited Ancient Japan setting in the series that is filled with a captivating story, an entertaining gameplay experience that has multiple repetitive activities and a breathtaking world which in and of itself, will keep you locked in for a lot of hours.

A game that faced more negative controversy prior to release than almost any other, yet its actual gameplay is far from the mess many expected. With classic Ubisoft-style open-world gameplay, stunning visuals, impressive lighting effects, and solid action, Assassin's Creed Shadows may fall short of being a masterpiece, but it's still an enjoyable and well-crafted experience.

Assassin's Creed: Shadows does not reinvent the wheel, nor is it the landmark game that will redefine gaming. Nevertheless, it's a worthy and well-crafted Assassin's Creed title that will certainly satisfy fans of the series, probably win over some who had left it some years ago, but will hardly convince its detractors to bother with it.

Assassin's Creed Shadows carries the weight of both immense expectations and deep skepticism, yet it ultimately takes the safest route. It neither embraces true innovation nor fully sheds the shadow of its predecessors. Its flat open-world formula, recycled mission structure, and reluctance to break free of its established framework make it difficult to see this as a meaningful step forward for the franchise. Still, while Ubisoft's recent track record has been mixed, Assassin's Creed Shadows proves that they still have what it takes to deliver large-scale, high-quality titles. Evolution takes time, and perhaps laying a stable foundation before making bold leaps is the more pragmatic approach.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best representation of being a pure Shinobi since probably 2005, and will probably remain that way for a while.

You know how sometimes you really love a dish and say, “Everything is perfectly balanced, the sauce is amazing! Compliments to the chef!” Then the chef gets excited and says, “If you liked the sauce, let me add more,” and pours another ladle of it over an already well-balanced meal... Assassin’s Creed is that kind of game. It would’ve been better without that final ladle - the main course gets a bit drowned in the sauce, but you still want to eat it.

The slower pace required to fully appreciate this world is a virtue that, as a reviewer with a deadline, I wasn’t properly afforded. As such, I envy those who possess the time and willingness to truly indulge themselves. Because for all its smaller blemishes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows paints a breathtaking canvas that, even after 50 hours, continues to captivate me.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t a radical revolution for the series. Instead, it refines the formula with minor improvements, delivering excellent stealth, engaging combat, and likable protagonists. The core gameplay remains largely familiar, but if you’re looking for the most stunning depiction of Japan in any medium, this is it.

Getting to an goal is such a chore, despite the incredible visuals. But once you get to the primary objective in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you will find the best combat, story, characters, and setting in an Assassin’s Creed game yet. If it was more enjoyable to roam around the world, which is, sadly, how a large portion of your time playing, this would easily be the best overall entry in the series to date.

Our review ends on this sour note: Assassin's Creed Shadows sometimes lacks panache and faith in its choices. Is that what it lacks to indulge in excellence? Probably. Does that make it an average game? Certainly not. Shadows is a journey as exotic as it is captivating, relying on the complementarity of its two guides. Whether in terms of gameplay or story, the game manages to grab you by the guts without making you pray for it to stop. Influences and good ideas come together to unite under the same banner two formulas that are complete opposites and two characters that have nothing in common, at least on the surface. A tour de force that turns out to be, against all odds, the logical continuation of the evolution of a franchise that needed to take stock to emerge from the shadows and move closer to the light.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers a visually stunning, immersive experience with dynamic gameplay changes through its seasons, dual-character system, and engaging combat mechanics. While the loot system may not be for everyone, and story choices don’t always have significant consequences, the game still offers plenty of depth and rewarding exploration. Whether you’re here for the stealth, the samurai combat, or the world-building, Shadows provides a solid entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

So much of Shadows' issues come from Yasuke's inclusion. Not because he's a badly written character or because he doesn't feel like he belongs, but because much of what makes an Assassin's Creed game an Assassin's Creed is stripped away to make his samurai fantasy work. Naoe's shinobi fantasy works far better, effortlessly sliding into the gameplay loop of hunting down mysterious targets, puzzling through the best way to reach them, cutting them down, and disappearing without a trace. Naoe and Yasuke's story could have used more unity, especially in giving the duo a shared purpose to drive the plotline and their character development forward. But at the very least, Naoe's gameplay is the best that the series has felt since the transition to a more action-RPG format--Assassin's Creed Shadows is an absolute blast to play.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a gigantic and sumptuous open world, overflowing with activities, missions, collectibles, and events that can entertain players for dozens upon dozens of hours. Feudal Japan is, moreover, depicted with meticulous detail and historical accuracy that radiates an extraordinary dedication and a boundless love for that setting. On top of all that, the two protagonists manage—despite everything—to be genuinely well-developed in terms of gameplay. But when you put so much on the table, it’s easy to overdo it, risking an overwhelming experience—and that’s exactly what happens in terms of repetition and balance of difficulty and progression. Shadows is, in short, the perfect embodiment of the Assassin’s Creed saga that fans want to play. And that is both its greatest strength and its biggest curse.

Majestic in scope, impressive in detail, Assassin's Creed Shadows honours the beauty of feudal Japan, even if its strongest moments are saved for the personal stories of two protagonists.

Come for the neck stabs and stay for the surprisingly great combat, Assassin's Creed Shadows is a stealth action buffet with a story to forget.

By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.

Assassin's Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows it's finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke's backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin's Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart. Whether you’re looking to explore the stunning world of feudal Japan, storm the gates of an enemy castle, or fall in love with the many NPCs that populate its world, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an immersive treat that cements itself as the best Assassin's Creed game since Black Flag.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an ambitious entry that blends stealth and action within a captivating setting and layered gameplay. The duality between Naoe and Yasuke works well, but a sluggish progression and an underwhelming finale weaken the narrative impact. Technically solid with decent PC support, it still suffers from some bugs and a world that feels less reactive than expected. An engaging experience, but no revolution in sight. Is that a good or a bad thing? Only time will tell, depending on Ubisoft’s next moves for the franchise.

With its sublime open-world and highly complementary character duo, Assassin's Creed Shadows is a good addition to Ubisoft's flagship saga. Unfortunately, all its good ideas are scratched in the medium term by an overload of content and combat that shows its limits halfway through. The journey is worthwhile, but it would have benefited from being shorter.

Though imperfect and moored to indelible design traditions and gameplay rituals, Assassin's Creed Shadows fizzes with style, intention, and detail, curating the best parts of the series into a confident and deeply enjoyable journey through feudal Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows does not revolutionize the formula that has both served and undermined the franchise for a very long time. It does shake things up a bit by bringing back the twin protagonist mechanic in a new way and making some tentative progress with mission design, stealth, and combat. Shadows’ world and attention to Japanese history and culture are genuinely impressive. Naoe is not the ultimate assassin and Yesuke is not the most refined ARPG hero. However, their different strengths add creativity to combat and narrative complexity. I don’t think Assassin’s Creed Shadows will disappoint many fans, nor pull in the uninitiated in great numbers. It’s a solid AC game with just enough new ideas to make it stand apart from the recent titles.

After many years of waiting, Assassin’s Creed finally lands in feudal Japan. However, although Shadows’ gameplay is engaging and the setting visually satisfying, Ubisoft Quebec’s work is penalized by a particularly invasive live service structure and a plot that gradually loses its bite, until it reaches an unsatisfactory conclusion. Despite everything, the experience remains enjoyable, thanks to an open world full of activities without ever being oppressive and a combat system that fully enhances the peculiarities of both protagonists.

On the one hand, Assassin's Creed Shadows is more of the same, but on the other hand, it is a new start for the series thanks to two very different playable characters. At its core, the game is a lot of fun, somewhat spoiled by the bland open world and dull missions.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an ambitious entry that both succeeds and stumbles in equal measure. Its breathtaking world, refined stealth mechanics, and dual protagonists create a fresh experience, but pacing issues, inconsistent AI, and combat imbalances hold it back from true greatness.

Assassin's Creed: Shadows is another experiment by Ubisoft Quebec. In some aspects, it was a success, but sometimes strange decisions by the developers spoil the experience, and the plot ends right at the most exciting moment.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows almost feels like what it would be like if Ken Burns was tasked with making a video game. It’s exhaustive in how it depicts Japan’s feudal era even in fiction, crafting its world with the eye of a historical documentarian. It’s not quite the in-depth slice of life that Red Dead Redemption 2 goes for, but it approaches that same idea with fewer systems. Some of my favorite moments came when I just got bored of stabbing people and got on my horse instead. I didn't stop every few feet to complete a puzzle. I didn’t stop to open another chest. I just rode, breathing in nature and listening to my own exhale intertwine with the wind.

Assassin's Creed Shadows takes you to a Japan with an atmospheric game world, well-made gameplay and great attention to details, but also reveals significant weaknesses in the narrative and quest design.

The setting is an easy match for the [Assassin's Creed] series’ format and the story is appealing, but some underwhelming combat and a general lack of gameplay surprises soften the effect of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Ubisoft bringing its sandbox roadshow to Japan should feel more momentous in practice.

Assassin's Creed Shadows immerses us in a beautiful and, above all, atmospheric feudal Japan, where individual aspects of the game have been cleverly improved. However, an unexciting story, weaknesses in the AI and the repetitive, monotonous gameplay prevent the latest installment in the series from generating much excitement.

Assassin's Creed Shadows can entertain you, even despite the silly plot. But you won't lose anything without this game.

I don’t think Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a bad game, but I don’t think it’s a great one either. With patches I think it could seriously become a great game, but as it stands with what I was playing, I’m not impressed with the systems/gameplay. I really, really want to like Shadows more because of how much the total package feels, but those few issues are enough to really hamper that. If you’re someone that enjoys going everywhere to do things and unlock everything, you’ll definitely have a great time, so it’s not inherently a super negative. The combat experience is definitely a damper though. Fingers crossed Ubisoft and the team behind Shadows really polishes and shines it up!

Assassin's Creed has been based on the same gameplay formula for years, and now was the moment for Ubisoft to surprise us with a new approach, but the developers only half-heartedly accomplished this task. Such an interesting setting was all too asking for more creative use of successful gameplay innovations. Nonetheless, Shadows is pretty much the good old Assassin, providing dozens of hours of content and plenty of targets to eliminate.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a bad game, nor is it fantastic. It follows the same recipe as the series’ installments have done for a few years now, where we’re served a story full of intrigue, power struggles, and a revenge motif. The main characters, Naoe, a nimble ninja, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, provide varied gameplay experiences, but does not quite let the player live out the full fantasy of being either. It’s unfortunate that Ubisoft does not unleash the full potential of finally having an Assassin’s Creed game set in Japan.

Ubisoft has finally released Assassin's Creed Shadows, after several setbacks. It follows the formula of the series, without taking any risks, limiting itself to delivering a game that is consistent with what fans already know. Naoe is a nice surprise, while Yasuke doesn't seem to know what he's doing here. Anyone who likes the saga will love Shadows, but it's a shame it's not more daring.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a visual spectacle that captures the essence of feudal Japan, but fails to realise its potential. Despite stunning art direction and historical detail, the game is held back by its own ambition to appeal to different types of players. The duality of protagonists, which promised innovation, ends up creating more obstacles than opportunities, with stealth and combat mechanics that don't evolve significantly from previous titles. While the open world invites exploration due to its beauty, it quickly reveals the repetitiveness of its missions. For fans of the series, there are rewarding moments, but Shadows leaves the feeling that it doesn't intend to change the Assassin's Creed formula, remaining hostage to a design that shows signs of fatigue.

While its open world is stunning, its combat is robust, and its dual-protagonist design is somewhat novel, Assassin’s Creed Shadows proves too repetitive and dramatically flat to wholeheartedly recommend taking its trip back in time.

It's a well-crafted game within its own scale with a great story and emotionally resonant characters, but in the grand scheme of what a big open-world RPG could provide, Assassin's Creed Shadows doesn't maximize its potential.

Shadows possesses the ingredients of a practically perfect Assassin's Creed videogame, but falls on its face over the same old mistakes from the Ubisoft playbook.