REVIEW: Assassin’s Creed Shadows (PS5)

After years of anticipation and multiple delays, Ubisoft has finally released Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest entry in its long-running franchise. Set in feudal Japan, the game offers a refined experience that demonstrates the value of the extra development time. The result is a visually breath-taking, narratively engaging, and mechanically polished instalment that stands as one of the strongest in the series.

Story

Set in 1579 during the late Sengoku period, Assassin’s Creed Shadows follows two protagonists: Yasuke, a powerful samurai, and Naoe, a skilled assassin. Their intertwined paths lead them on a quest for vengeance, with Naoe seeking retribution against those responsible for her father’s death and Yasuke struggling to find his place in a rapidly changing Japan.

Their journey is deeply intertwined with historical events, including the rise of Oda Nobunaga and the shifting tides of war.

The narrative is well-paced, with enough intrigue and character development to keep players engaged throughout the estimated 40-hour campaign. Unlike some of its predecessors, Shadows doesn’t overstay its welcome, striking a balance between depth and accessibility. While some NPCs and secondary characters can feel underdeveloped, the overarching plot is compelling, with surprising twists and moments of genuine emotional weight.

Gameplay

Ubisoft has refined the core gameplay mechanics, offering distinct playstyles for both protagonists. Naoe embodies the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience, excelling in stealth, agility, and precision assassinations. She can extinguish lanterns, blend into shadows, and silently eliminate foes with a variety of tools.

Yasuke, on the other hand, is a powerhouse, engaging in direct combat with brute strength and traditional samurai weaponry. His playstyle favours open battles, utilising devastating parries and overwhelming force.

This dual approach allows players to tailor their experience, whether they prefer the careful planning of stealth or the visceral thrill of direct combat. The game introduces a number of new mechanics, including seasonal changes that affect gameplay. For example, deep snow muffles footsteps in winter, while tall grass in summer provides natural cover. These environmental shifts add an extra layer of strategy, making the world feel more dynamic than ever before.

Combat is fluid and satisfying, requiring careful timing rather than simple button-mashing. Enemies react intelligently, forcing players to adapt their strategies. The difficulty settings allow for varied experiences, with an optional “Guaranteed Assassination” mode and a “Canon Mode” that ensures choices align with the official storyline. While traversal is generally smooth, free climbing is more restricted than in previous titles, limiting the ability to scale any surface freely. However, this change makes movement feel more grounded and realistic.

Visuals

Ubisoft has outdone itself in the visual department, delivering one of the most stunning open worlds in gaming history. Running on the PS5 Pro in Quality Mode, Assassin’s Creed Shadows showcases breath-taking landscapes, meticulously detailed cities, and lifelike character models, all enhanced by ray tracing reflections and global illumination. Light and shadow interact naturally, with reflections shimmering off wet surfaces and dynamic weather effects creating an unparalleled level of immersion.

The introduction of a seasonal cycle elevates the environmental realism, with autumn leaves drifting in the wind, summer storms rolling in with dramatic lighting, and winter snow transforming the landscape. The world feels truly alive, responding to both the passage of time and the player’s actions. The attention to detail is staggering, from the gentle sway of trees in the wind to the way raindrops splatter against armour and fabric.

Facial animations, while improved over previous entries, still occasionally fall into the uncanny valley, particularly in cutscenes. However, the overall presentation remains a triumph, with seamless transitions between exploration, combat, and narrative moments. The DualSense controller further enhances immersion, providing subtle vibrations for elements like raindrops, galloping hooves, and distant thunder, making the world feel more tangible than ever before.

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a testament to Ubisoft’s commitment to quality and innovation. The additional development time has clearly paid off, resulting in a game that refines the core Assassin’s Creed experience while introducing meaningful new mechanics. The breathtaking visuals, well-paced story, and satisfying gameplay combine to make this one of the strongest entries in the franchise.

While minor flaws persist, such as the occasional lack of depth in NPC interactions and some stiffness in facial animations, these are easily overshadowed by the game’s many strengths. The dual protagonist system works brilliantly, offering diverse playstyles that cater to different preferences, while the evolving world ensures every moment feels fresh and engaging.

For fans of the series and newcomers alike, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a must-play. It delivers on its promises, setting a new benchmark for open-world stealth-action games and proving that sometimes, delays truly are worth the wait.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Pricing & Availability

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, MacOS, Xbox Series X|S and PS5, starting at €69.99 on Steam. The title is also included in Ubisoft’s subscription service, Ubisoft+, on their Premium tier, for €17.99/month.