After an earlier delay to allow for a bit more polish, Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the long-running franchise to feudal Japan, a setting fans have been eager to explore for years. With two protagonists – Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai – the game embraces both stealth and direct combat, offering distinct playstyles that cater to different player preferences. The open-world recreation of 16th-century Japan is visually stunning, with bustling castle towns, tranquil shrines, and war-torn landscapes that feel alive thanks to a dynamic weather system and seasonal changes. However, despite its ambitious scope, the game doesn’t always fully capitalize on its dual-character system, and some aspects of its design can feel uneven. Here’s our take on the PlayStation 5 version.
The contrast between Naoe and Yasuke’s abilities is one of the game’s strongest aspects. Naoe embodies the franchise’s traditional stealth mechanics, relying on shadows, rooftops, and silent assassinations to complete her objectives. Yasuke, on the other hand, is built for direct confrontation, wielding heavy weaponry and engaging in brutal duels. This duality creates engaging gameplay variety, but at times, the pacing between the two characters can feel unbalanced, with Yasuke’s sequences occasionally coming across as repetitive compared to Naoe’s more intricate stealth-based missions.
Exploration remains a core element of the experience, with a vast open world filled with secrets, side missions, and recruitable allies. The introduction of a spy network adds a fresh layer to the formula, allowing players to gather intelligence and plan their approach before striking. However, some of these mechanics don’t feel as deep as they initially promise, making certain missions more predictable over time – especially for Assassin’s Creed veterans. Additionally, while the game offers a variety of customization options for the protagonists and their hideout, their impact on gameplay is more aesthetic than functional.
Visually, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is among the most impressive entries in the series. The level of detail in environments, character models, and animations is remarkable, making full use of the PlayStation 5’s capabilities. The game’s lighting and weather effects enhance immersion, particularly during night-time infiltrations and dramatic duels in the rain. That said, performance can be inconsistent at times, with occasional frame rate drops in busier areas that hint at a need for further optimization. The soundtrack and voice acting add further authenticity to the experience, although some English-language performances feel less natural compared to the Japanese voiceovers – which we encourage using even if you don’t speak the language.
Controls are generally responsive, but the game’s parkour system, a long-standing franchise staple, doesn’t always feel as fluid as it should. While movement works well in open areas, climbing mechanics occasionally suffer from imprecise inputs, leading to frustrating moments during stealth sections in busier environments. On the combat side, Yasuke’s heavier attacks feel impactful, but enemy AI can sometimes be inconsistent, making some fights easier than expected.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is another strong entry in the franchise, bringing players into a beautifully realized version of feudal Japan. The combination of two distinct protagonists, a rich open world, and a mix of stealth and action creates a compelling experience. However, minor shortcomings, such as uneven pacing and occasional technical hiccups, keep it from reaching the heights of the series’ best installments. Fans of the franchise will still find plenty to enjoy, but some aspects could have been refined further to fully deliver on the game’s ambitious vision. Still, an easy recommendation for Assassin’s Creed fans.
Score: 8.3/10
Press Play Media 