Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the fourteenth main entry in the Assassin’s Creed series, developed by Ubisoft Quebec and published by Ubisoft. Set to release on March 20, 2025, the game brings players to feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, an era of war, intrigue, and shifting alliances.
Platforms and Availability
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, MacOS, Amazon Luna, Ubisoft+, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. A future iPad version is also planned, expanding accessibility for more players.
Dual Protagonists and Storyline
Players can choose between two main characters, each offering unique gameplay styles:
- Fujibayashi Naoe – A female Shinobi Assassin, skilled in stealth, agility, and gadget-based combat.
- Yasuke – A legendary African Samurai, known for raw strength, honor, and mastery of traditional sword techniques.
The story unfolds in 1579, with Japan in political turmoil. As both characters, players navigate conflicts between warlords, internal betrayals, and the rise of the Brotherhood. The dual perspective adds depth, allowing players to experience events from different angles.
Open-World Exploration and Base Building
The game returns to a large, immersive open world, filled with villages, castles, temples, and war-torn landscapes. A dynamic weather system and seasonal changes influence the stealth mechanics, affecting visibility and traversal.
A new base-building system allows players to construct and manage their own fortress. This feature introduces resource management, recruitable allies, and strategic defenses, enhancing long-term gameplay.
Combat and Gameplay Mechanics
Each protagonist offers distinct playstyles, catering to both stealth-focused and action-oriented players:
- Naoe’s Shinobi Tactics – Silent assassinations, parkour-based movement, kunai throws, smoke bombs, and grappling hooks.
- Yasuke’s Samurai Combat – Heavy sword attacks, armor-clad resilience, parries, and traditional Samurai duels.
Players can switch characters at specific moments, experiencing missions from different perspectives. The stealth system is more advanced than ever, allowing light-based concealment, indoor movement, and terrain-based camouflage.
Historical Authenticity and Attention to Detail
Ubisoft worked closely with historians and cultural experts to accurately depict feudal Japan. Field research included studying architecture, traditions, and Samurai codes of honor.
A realistic environment interaction system adds immersive details, like removing shoes indoors, authentic sword stances, and local dialects spoken by NPCs.
Post-Launch Content and Expansions
Ubisoft is introducing a new approach to DLC, with the first expansion, „The Claws of Awaji“, available to pre-order customers instead of a traditional Season Pass. This expansion features new locations, enemies, and over ten hours of additional gameplay.
Pre-Order Bonuses and Fan Reception
Players who pre-order receive exclusive missions, cosmetic items, and early access to DLC content. Despite early controversies about character choices, the game has seen strong pre-order numbers, especially in Japan, indicating high anticipation.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to be one of the most immersive historical Assassin’s Creed games, blending stealth, action, and strategic elements in a beautifully recreated Sengoku-era Japan.
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