Assassin’s Creed Shadows [Xbox Series X] | REVIEW

Ubisoft has finally delivered what fans have been craving for a long, long time: an Assassin’s Creed set in feudal Japan. After years of anticipation (and a few unfortunate delays), Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally here, bringing with it a beautifully realized open world, two distinct protagonists that each feel great to play as, and sublime combat mechanics that easily make this one of the best entries in the franchise.

Check out some screenshots down below:

At the heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows are its dual protagonists: Naoe, a skilled shinobi seeking vengeance, and Yasuke, a powerful African samurai serving Oda Nobunaga. Naoe and Yasuke’s intersecting paths of revenge and duty genuinely make for compelling storytelling, whilst the continued use of historical figures and real-life events helps strengthen the narrative threads in play. The performances of the lead characters help elevate the storytelling further, with Yasuke’s stoic demeanour contrasting perfectly with Naoe’s fiery personality to make for an engaging pair of protagonists who I’m sure will quickly stand out as fan-favourites.

However, whilst the core tale is captivating, the ongoing Assassin versus Templar conflict is barely present across the game. The overarching struggle that once defined the series is largely sidelined until the final hours of the game, making it feel like a bit of an afterthought as opposed to the crux of the storytelling. Modern-day elements, once a core part of the franchise’s identity, have also been pushed further into the background, and whilst some optional digital anomalies hint at larger sci-fi connections, they feel more disconnected from the main story than ever this time around. It’s something we’ve seen a lot in modern Assassin’s Creed releases, but with the overarching narrative arguably the most intriguing aspect of the series, it’s a shame that Ubisoft haven’t revitalized it more here.

When it comes to the gameplay, the contrasting personalities and playstyles of Naoe and Yasuke form the backbone of the experience, with the game allowing players to switch between the two depending on how they want to tackle each mission.

Naoe leans into the series’ stealth roots, and, in my opinion, stood out as the more enjoyable and traditional character to play. She moves with agility, scaling rooftops and slipping through shadows with ease to eliminate targets with precision whilst keeping her presence unknown. Tools like her grappling hook, smoke bombs, and shuriken make her nimble and deadly, whilst abilities such as being able to extinguish candles to embrace the darkness provide even more creative (and undeniably cool) ways to approach assassinations. She was my favourite character to play as, only because each success with her felt all the more rewarding.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the best elements of the series – stealth, open-world exploration, and visceral combat – and refines them to make for an absolutely sublime experience.”

Yasuke, on the other hand, is a force of nature, and unlike past Assassin’s Creed protagonists, he is built for head-on combat where brutality heavily outweighs silence. Armoured and powerful, he can take blows that would normally kill a stealthier character, all whilst breaking through enemy defences with devastating strikes that help establish him as a true powerhouse. Whether parrying enemy attacks, sending foes flying with a well-placed kick, or simply slicing-and-dicing through a group of enemies without the worry of having to keep silent, Yasuke’s gameplay is immensely satisfying.

The ability to swap between these two vastly different characters at almost any time is a highlight of the experience, not only because it allows players to cater to their own playstyle but also because it gives a more dynamic feel to the world. However, the process of switching characters can be a little clunky, requiring menu navigation rather than a seamless in-game transition. It’s a minor inconvenience that doesn’t ruin the experience at all, but given the tech on current-gen consoles, it feels like an opportunity was missed to allow players to switch between the two freely and on the fly.

Feudal Japan has been one of the most requested settings for Assassin’s Creed, so it’s incredibly satisfying to see that Ubisoft has done a fantastic job in bringing it to life. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous, with this easily the best-looking entry in the series, whilst the attention to detail in building a world that captures the essence of the setting is impeccable. It’s a world that truly feels alive, whilst the seasonal changes that occur across the world will further immerse players in its realism.  Whether it’s the windswept cherry blossom fields, the snow-covered villages, or the sun blazing across the mountains, the ongoing changes really are wonderful – not only visually, but also within the gameplay, whether that’s with the deep snow slowing down your movement or the summer’s bright sun makes stealth more difficult. It’s incredibly immersive and just makes the world all the more believable.

Rather than overwhelming the player with icons and objectives, Assassin’s Creed Shadows encourages organic exploration. Points of interest must be marked manually, leading to a more immersive experience, and whilst wandering through the world, players will stumble upon random encounters that flesh things out, whether that is with frantic duels with wandering ronin, freeing a prisoner of war, or simple moments of peace such as watching villagers go about their daily lives (and you’ll even get rewards for engaging in these moments). There’s even the option to build and customize a hideout, allowing players to craft a personal space that reflects their ongoing journey. Honestly, the world design is simply top notch, and I haven’t been in an open-world that has felt so immersive and packed with detail since playing Red Dead Redemption 2. It just goes to show how much care and attention has been put into building the experience, so hey… I guess those delays were worth it, right?

Check out some screenshots down below:

The combat system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best that the series has seen in years, something that’s owed to the effective implementation of the dual protagonists. Whether sneaking through an enemy camp as Naoe and picking off foes from the shadows or clashing swords with a dozen samurai at once as Yasuke, every encounter feels fluid and rewarding. Parrying, dodging, and executing finishing moves require precise timing, making each battle feel like a test of skill and patience rather than just mashing buttons, whilst the flexibility offered across each character ensures there are a plethora of ways to deal with each enemy encounter. Weapon variety adds another layer of depth, with Yasuke wielding the likes of a long katana, club-like kanabo, or even a bow, while Naoe’s precision with the dagger-like tanto or the versatile kusarigami make for some of the most brutal assassinations in the series. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sold on having two different characters to play as initially, but after seeing how much variety they bring across the entirety of the experience, it stands out as one of the game’s greatest strengths.

Customization plays a significant role in how each character evolves throughout the game, with abilities unlocked through Mastery Points. However, you won’t be simply grinding for experience to get these, with progression instead tied to exploration and side activities. Completing challenges and uncovering secrets boosts the player’s Knowledge Rank, gradually unlocking new abilities and rewarding those who venture off the beaten path in the game. Some may find this system a bit restrictive, especially since it forces engagement with side content to develop your characters, but it’s something that I, as a completionist, actually preferred.

Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform(s): Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PC
Website: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/assassins-creed/shadows