Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review

It’s been well over a decade of fan requests, and endless speculation, but Ubisoft has finally delivered what everyone’s been asking for. Assassin’s Creed Shadows has finally taken the franchise to feudal Japan. This isn’t just another Assassin’s Creed game with a new coat of paint; it’s a vibrant, meticulously crafted open world that immerses you in the era of samurai and shinobi. With its dual protagonist system, dynamic mission structure, and refined mechanics, Shadows feels like a return to form for the series, even if it doesn’t always push the envelope as much as it could.

From the moment I stepped into Shadows’ world, I was blown away by its sheer beauty. This is one of the most visually striking entries in the series. Feudal Japan is brought to life with stunningly detailed landscapes—lush forests with leaves swirling in the wind, rolling rice fields reflecting the golden hues of sunset, and vibrant towns filled with people going about their daily lives. The changing seasons and dynamic weather system make the world feel alive in a way few recent open-world games manage. Seeing a once serene landscape blanketed in snow, or watching rainstorms roll in and soak the ground, adds an extra level of immersion.

The attention to architectural detail is also impressive. From towering castles to hidden shrines tucked away in the mountains, everything feels meticulously designed. Unlike some previous entries where environments could feel repetitive, Shadows makes every region distinct, either architecturally or visually. Whether you’re walking through the bustling streets of a town or sneaking through a dense bamboo forest, the world feels like a place you want to explore.

At its core, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a revenge story, centered on hunting down a masked group responsible for the death of a loved one at the beginning of the story. The narrative is engaging, if somewhat familiar, but what keeps it fresh is the dynamic between its two protagonists: Yasuke, a powerful samurai, and Naoe, a stealthy shinobi.

Yasuke is all about brute strength. His combat style relies on heavy armor, powerful attacks, and the ability to bulldoze through enemies and parts of the environment. Swinging his massive weapon through groups of enemies feels weighty and satisfying. Naoe, on the other hand, embodies the assassin fantasy more closely. She’s fast, nimble, and focused on stealth, slipping through shadows and eliminating enemies with precision. Both characters have their own skill trees, allowing for deeper customization of playstyles.

That said, I found that the game leans heavily toward Naoe’s skillset. Many missions revolve around sneaking into strongholds, assassinating targets, and avoiding detection. While Yasuke is great in combat, the sheer number of stealth-focused objectives makes it feel like Naoe is the intended or often preferred primary character. A better balance between the two approaches would have helped make switching between them feel more meaningful and given me further incentive to want to actually hop between each more frequently.

One of the biggest improvements Shadows brings is how streamlined the overall experience feels. Unlike some previous entries that forced grinding or level-gating, the progression here feels more natural. The pacing is better, with main and side missions readily accessible without feeling overwhelming. The objectives menu lays everything out clearly, letting you pick what type of experience you want at any given moment. Whether you’re tackling a major story sequence, tracking down an enemy in a detective-style investigation, or just exploring the world for hidden secrets, the game never forces you down one particular path.

Speaking of investigations, I really enjoyed how Shadows adds more depth to target hunting. Instead of simply being handed a marker on the map, you often have to track down clues, interrogate NPCs, and gather intelligence before finding your target. You can even send scouts ahead to gather information, making the process smoother if you prefer a more guided experience. It makes each major assassination feel like a carefully planned hit rather than just another waypoint on the map.

The combat system also feels tighter and more satisfying than in past games. The animations are fluid and more varied, making fights feel more dynamic. Whether parrying a samurai’s strike or using Naoe’s agility to outmaneuver opponents, there’s a nice balance between challenge and responsiveness. The skill tree is also cleaner and more intuitive, making progression feel meaningful without overwhelming players with unnecessary complexity like we’ve seen in the past.

Customization has always been a big part of Assassin’s Creed, especially since the franchise had a pivot and begun to introduce RPG mechanics, and Shadows expands on this within its gear system. Both protagonists can equip different weapons, armor sets, and accessories, allowing you to build them out to match your preferred playstyle. Finding new legendary gear is always exciting, and it’s rewarding to mix and match pieces to optimize performance while still looking stylish.

Another new addition is the hideout feature. Throughout the game, you gather resources to upgrade and expand your homestead, building structures that provide new benefits. It’s a fun distraction from the main campaign and gives the game a bit of a management sim element. While not the deepest system, it adds another layer of engagement beyond just combat and exploration.

On PS5, Shadows runs beautifully. The visuals are crisp, the world is detailed, and performance remains steady throughout. I didn’t encounter any major bugs or game-breaking glitches during my time with it, which is refreshing considering Assassin’s Creed’s history of launching with technical issues. Load times are minimal, and everything runs at a smooth frame rate, even in more action-packed sequences.

While Shadows is an excellent Assassin’s Creed game, it plays things relatively safe. It delivers exactly what was promised—an Assassin’s Creed adventure set in Japan—but it doesn’t push the franchise forward in any major way. The open-world structure, while refined, still follows the familiar Ubisoft formula. It feels more like a refined return to form than a new innovation on the series. If you’ve played previous entries, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

The voice acting can also be hit or miss. Some performances feel flat, which is a shame given how much effort was put into making the world feel alive. A stronger emphasis on natural, engaging dialogue would have helped immerse players even further into the story. But there is always the option of changing to the Japanese dub instead if you do also find this jarring.

And while the dual protagonist system is a welcome return, the balance between Yasuke and Naoe could have been better. Given how many missions emphasize stealth, Yasuke’s more direct combat approach sometimes feels like an afterthought. More variety in mission design could have made switching between the two more impactful.

Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is exactly what fans have been asking for—a stunning, immersive adventure set in feudal Japan. It offers refined mechanics, a compelling revenge story, and a world that feels alive thanks to its dynamic weather and changing seasons. The dual protagonist system is a great addition, even if the balance between the two characters isn’t perfect.

While it doesn’t reinvent the franchise, Shadows is a well-executed entry that delivers on its promise. If you’ve been waiting for an Assassin’s Creed game in Japan, this is it. It may not push boundaries, but it delivers a polished and satisfying experience that’s well worth playing.

A PS5 review code was provided by Ubisoft for the purpose of this review.

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