When it comes to Assassin’s Creed, fans have been clamouring for one thing for years: a full-fledged adventure set in Feudal Japan. Ubisoft has finally answered with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, launching on the 20th of March 2025. And based on everything we’ve experienced, the wait was worth it.
Samurai? Check. Shinobi? Double check. Dramatic cherry blossoms falling during intense sword fights? Oh, absolutely. But let’s not delay even further and get straight to the good stuff.
But keep in mind that all of this comes from spending just a few isolated hours in the game, so things may evolve in the final release. Now, let’s jump in.
Ultimate Assassin’s Creed: Feudal Japan Done Right
Ubisoft promises Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be the ultimate franchise experience. It starts with the most-requested setting: 16th-century Feudal Japan. In this era, territorial wars clashed with the quiet preservation of culture among natural beauty.
The mountainous Japanese countryside is uniquely beautiful, with snow-topped peaks creating a backdrop to lush forestation surrounding orderly farmer’s fields. Period costume and NPC behaviour are meticulously detailed, emphasising the contrast between destruction and peacefulness.
Ubisoft characterises this setting as a point where craftsmanship and technology combine, creating stark social contrasts. Players explore how figures like Oda Nobunaga inspired armies and engineered change. Whether perched on a pagoda or sneaking through a stormy battlefield, the world feels alive – and lethal.
Fans of Ghost of Tsushima will find themselves in familiar territory but with a distinct Assassin’s Creed twist. This isn’t just a beautiful backdrop; it’s a playground for parkour, stealth, and dramatic leaps of faith. Naoe’s grappling hook adds an extra layer to exploration, with pre-determined grapple points that subtly encourage players to keep an eye out, especially in temples and towns.
Two Heroes, Two Perspectives: Naoe and Yasuke
For the first time in the series, you’ll embody two protagonists: Naoe, a nimble shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai powerhouse inspired by the real-life African warrior who served in Japan. They’re an odd couple – she’s all stealth and precision, while he’s a walking tank, but together, they’re unstoppable. Imagine pairing Ezio’s finesse with a battering ram, and you’ve got an idea of how these two complement each other.
You start the game by choosing which character’s story to begin with. However, the game ensures you experience both intros because after playing through one character’s mission, you’ll be seamlessly transitioned into the others. This choice happens within a haunting, otherworldly version of the Animus, setting the tone for the game’s narrative depth.
Naoe’s gameplay is classic Assassin’s Creed stealth: smoke bombs, rooftop acrobatics, and Hidden Blade assassinations. Yasuke, meanwhile, is a whirlwind of steel, wielding a katana, a kanabō, and even an arquebus for ranged destruction. Switching between their playstyles keeps the game feeling fresh – like a perfectly balanced blade.
Yasuke is quick to draw attention with his imposing combat style. His mentor, the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga, recognises his potential and hails him as a ‘one-man army.’ In combat, Yasuke switches weapons mid-combo to extend attacks, bringing a sense of tactical ingenuity alongside raw power. Due to his stature, Yasuke often seeks alternative routes to rooftops, leaving the acrobatics to Naoe.
Naoe, on the other hand, evokes Assassin’s Creed protagonists of old. Gifted the Hidden Blade by her ill-fated father, she embodies speed and stealth. Her parkour animations are a joy to watch, with elegant backflips and controlled landings flowing seamlessly into stealth. Rooftops are her domain, and she moves gracefully, making exploration both strategic and thrilling.
Which character feels better to play? From our hands-on time with the game, it’s Naoe. But Yasuke’s power and resilience make him equally compelling, especially when enemies are relentless. Together, they bring a dynamic balance that ensures no two encounters feel the same.
Gameplay: Stealth, Combat, And Exploration Reimagined
Ubisoft has boldly deviated from the Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla trilogy, refining core gameplay elements to create something both familiar and fresh. Shadows retains the open-world adventure fans love while also emphasising street-level intrigue and a more tactile connection to the world.
The dual-protagonist system isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a game-changer. Missions often let you choose who to play as, affecting how you approach objectives. Sneak through a guarded fortress as Naoe, or kick down the front gate as Yasuke. Both approaches feel satisfying, and the game doesn’t punish you for favouring one style over the other.
The new Mastery system lets you unlock and upgrade abilities, adding depth to both heroes’ combat strategies, whether you’re extending combos or perfecting counter-attacks.
Exploration is equally immersive, with Ubisoft prioritising a natural, seamless navigation system. Instead of rigid waypoints, players will need to rely on their own knowledge of the world, discovering new sights from vantage points and marking areas for investigation. Yasuke and Naoe can ride out themselves or send spies to scout ahead, ensuring every journey feels like your own.
The parkour system also deserves a shoutout. Fans of Mirage will be happy to know it’s more in line with that fluidity than the clunkiness of Valhalla. Naoe’s animations, in particular, shine as she flips and glides between rooftops. The attention to detail makes even traversal feel purposeful.
Dynamic weather and seasonal changes further enhance immersion. Winter snows can freeze lakes, opening new pathways (or cutting you off from others). Storms can muffle your footsteps for stealth missions, while sunny days might leave you more exposed. It’s not just window dressing; it’s an integral part of gameplay.
Refined Systems for Master Assassins
The new Objective Board replaces traditional quest logs, offering a sleeker way to track missions and uncover side quests. It’s like a 16th-century crime investigator’s corkboard, with threads connecting clues and locations. This aligns with the game’s focus on observation over hand-holding, bringing back the thrill of exploration.
Combat, meanwhile, has been reimagined with an intense focus on counter-attacks and tactical mastery. Both heroes wield multiple weapon types, allowing players to experiment with combos and abilities. A new Mastery system lets players allocate points to unlock and upgrade skills, enhancing combos or perfecting timed strikes.
Dialogue choices exist but are not tied to morality or character evolution. Instead, they add flavour, ensuring the narrative stays tightly woven.
Comparable to…?
If we had to compare Assassin’s Creed Shadows to another game in the series, it would be Assassin’s Creed III. There’s a similar respect for nature and the idea of building a homestead, balanced against the encroachment of war and conquest. Much like Connor, these protagonists feel authentically connected to their world. This isn’t the glamorous Hollywood flair of Ezio or Edward—it’s more raw and grounded.
Ubisoft’s Redemption Arc?
Let’s address the katana-wielding elephant in the room: Ubisoft’s recent track record hasn’t been stellar. Delays, financial woes, and underwhelming releases have left fans sceptical. But Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels like a genuine effort to right the ship.
The game’s emphasis on meaningful exploration, refined combat, and a rich, engaging setting suggests Ubisoft has been listening to its fans. If Shadows succeeds, it could start a new golden age for the series. If it fails… well, at least we’ll always have Ezio.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Be Hyped
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be everything fans have asked for: a beautiful, immersive, thoughtfully crafted adventure that honours the series’ roots while forging a bold new path. Whether you’re a die-hard assassin or someone who enjoys a good rooftop dive, this game promises to deliver.
So mark your calendars for the 20th of March. It’s almost time to don your hood, sharpen your blade, and step into the shadows. And trust us – you’re going to want to stay there.
Pro Tip: If you want to see some of the gameplay we got to experience in action – keep your eyes on our social media over the next few days!