Assassin's Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s ability to seemingly strike a perfect balance between the older titles in the series and its RPG brethren. This is exactly what I want RPG Assassin’s Creed games to be going forward.

82%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, monetization

84% User Score Based on 7,501 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 60 reviews

Platforms

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About

A new Creed rises over Japan

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,561 reviews

story941 positive mentions

stability135 negative mentions

Visually stunning world with breathtaking graphics and dynamic weather effects.
Engaging stealth mechanics that allow for a variety of playstyles with dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.
Rich content with a vast open world that encourages exploration and offers numerous side quests.

Repetitive gameplay and side quests that often feel like a grind.
Story lacks depth and can be predictable, with some characters feeling underdeveloped.
Technical issues such as bugs, crashes, and performance problems on various systems.

story
2,869 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The story of "Assassin's Creed: Shadows" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging yet somewhat predictable, often revolving around familiar themes of revenge and personal loss. While some appreciate the depth and character development, particularly of the protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, others criticize the narrative for being disjointed and lacking in originality, with repetitive mission structures that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is noted for its beautiful visuals and immersive world, but the storytelling may not resonate with everyone, especially those seeking a more cohesive and innovative plot.
- “The story is captivating, the world is stunning, and the gameplay is incredibly addictive.”
- “The story is engaging and introduces characters with good stories and backgrounds.”
- “The story is already captivating me more than the intro for ghost of tsushima did.”
- “The story is predictable, lacks any emotional weight, and ultimately feels like it was written to check off boxes rather than to tell a compelling narrative.”
- “The story is incredibly boring and bland, the characters are uninteresting for the most part, and while I am aware that the English voice over may be Japanese VAs speaking English, for most characters the English VA is poorly delivered, sometimes even sounding a little robotic and lifeless, almost as if certain things are lost in translation.”
- “The disjointed main storyline, faceless cast of characters, and stream of quests that all end the same way make me long for the days when Assassin's Creed focused solely on the two things it still excels at: infiltrating a place and killing the right person inside.”
gameplay
1,679 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The gameplay in "Assassin's Creed: Shadows" has received mixed feedback, with many praising its refined stealth mechanics and the dual-protagonist system that offers varied gameplay styles. Players appreciate the beautiful open world and the integration of new mechanics like prone movement and dynamic weather, which enhance the stealth experience. However, some critiques highlight repetitive gameplay, clunky character-switching mechanics, and a lack of innovation compared to previous titles, leading to a perception of the game as a blend of familiar elements rather than a groundbreaking entry in the series.
- “The stealth mechanics are very rewarding and can be quite challenging at the harder difficulties.”
- “The gameplay is solid, combat is fun and kind of hard for an AC game.”
- “The dual protagonists bring both strengths and weaknesses - gameplay variety is great, but the unexplained disappearances (and sudden reappearances in cutscenes) of the inactive main character can break immersion.”
- “The gameplay is a repetitive, uninspired grind, the AI is laughably bad, and the story is as deep as a Saturday morning cartoon.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive and quest markers you either find through trial and error with the scouts or go explore the area yourself wandering around in hopes there will be something to keep you entertained in the cookie cutter cities (there won't).”
- “The mechanics are uninspired, the side quests are repetitive, and the core gameplay loop is an exact replica of past entries.”
graphics
1,119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The graphics of "Assassin's Creed Shadows" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, intricate details, and immersive environments that bring feudal Japan to life. Players have noted the game's impressive art direction, dynamic weather effects, and overall graphical fidelity, often comparing it favorably to other titles in the genre, including "Ghost of Tsushima." However, some users have reported performance issues and optimization challenges, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the otherwise breathtaking visual experience.
- “The game shines with its carefully crafted art direction, especially in its stunning landscapes, and boasts significantly improved visuals overall.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning – truly next-gen.”
- “The graphics, attention to detail, combat, story and atmosphere is amazing.”
- “20 hours in and the game has become unplayable; constant graphical glitches and stutters every 15 seconds, voice and sound effects randomly disappearing, UI not loading consistently, massive delays in between switching from game to menu or any time a cutscene plays.”
- “Even on the highest settings, the game looks unimpressive—bland environments, stiff animations, and constant graphical glitches that ruin immersion.”
- “The game is extremely demanding, but the visuals offered back justify those demands placed on your rig.”
optimization
605 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and minimal bugs, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and poor performance on lower-end hardware. Many users noted that while the game looks stunning, it demands high specifications to run well, and some have experienced crashes and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, it appears that while there are instances of good optimization, many players recommend waiting for patches to address the performance issues before fully committing to the game.
- “Ubisoft is a company some people dislike a lot and I get it, but I gotta hand it to them, the game is very well optimized.”
- “The performance is smooth (no stuttering) and that says a lot considering most games run poorly at launch.”
- “The game looks absolutely beautiful, and the performance is super smooth.”
- “Since then, Star Wars Outlaws and AC Shadows have been nearly unplayable due to poor optimization.”
- “This game is so unoptimized it's genuinely unplayable; you constantly have to reload saves because scripted events break and the game pauses itself mid-gameplay to render literally nothing every few seconds.”
- “The optimization of this game is atrocious; I can't even maintain 30 fps.”
music
305 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique blend of traditional Japanese and modern styles, while others criticize it for being out of place or immersion-breaking, particularly during key scenes. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional moments, though there are complaints about specific tracks feeling inappropriate for the game's feudal Japan setting. Overall, while the music is seen as a highlight by some, it also has its detractors who find it jarring or inconsistent.
- “The music is incredible, combat animations are awesome and the landscape is stunning!”
- “The soundtrack complements the tone perfectly, with a mix of haunting melodies and adrenaline-pumping tracks that enhance the experience.”
- “The music deserves praise too—it perfectly complements the narrative, drawing you deeper into the experience.”
- “The music is very out of place.”
- “With Assassin's Creed Black Flag, for example, all the music fit the time period very well, but with Shadows, it's modern-day western music with a little bit of Japanese sprinkled in; it sounds terrible when you're fighting the first boss.”
- “The soundtrack is a really odd choice and doesn't really fit with the game setting.”
stability
187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
2%
72%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly during cutscenes and while loading. While some users experienced smooth gameplay with minimal glitches, a substantial number noted frequent freezing, graphical glitches, and unresponsive controls, leading to an overall perception of the game as a "buggy mess." Despite these issues, a few players found the game to run well on high-end systems, suggesting that performance may vary significantly based on hardware.
- “The gameplay is fluid and mostly bug free.”
- “It runs great on my RTX 3080 with the settings maxed out, no bugs yet, which is great as a lot of new games I play nowadays seem to be problematic from day one.”
- “It's rare to see such an ambitious game launch in such a polished state—no bugs, no glitches, just seamless gameplay.”
- “20 hours in and the game has become unplayable; constant graphical glitches and stutters every 15 seconds, voice and sound effects randomly disappearing, UI not loading consistently, massive delays in between switching from game to menu or any time a cutscene plays.”
- “The game is still full of bugs, crashes, glitches, things that don’t work and other shenanigans, which is ridiculous given it was delayed twice for polish.”
- “This game is a buggy mess; maybe I will revisit it in three months when Ubisoft fixes it.”
monetization
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
75%
17%
The monetization strategy in this game has drawn significant criticism, particularly for its inclusion of microtransactions in a single-player experience, which many players find unnecessary and intrusive. While some microtransactions are purely cosmetic and can be ignored, the overall sentiment is that they detract from the game's value, with players expressing frustration over the perceived greed of the developers. Despite the option to bypass these purchases, the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced game has left a sour impression on many reviewers.
- “You won't notice the microtransactions unless you go searching for them.”
- “Yes, it does have monetization, but you can totally play and enjoy this game without spending money at all.”
- “There are plenty of cool, unlockable armor sets and gear available through gameplay, so just ignore the microtransactions and enjoy what's already there.”
- “Microtransactions are present (cosmetics) in this single-player game, which always feels scummy to me, even if they are just cosmetics.”
- “But worst of all is microtransactions in a single-player game; it just hits the last nail in the coffin.”
- “The inclusion of microtransactions in a single-player game is intrusive, unnecessary, and greedy.”
grinding
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
10%
87%
The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium and repetitiveness associated with grinding in the game, with many players expressing frustration over the monotonous tasks required for progression, such as chasing icons and completing similar activities repeatedly. While some players find enjoyment in the initial exploration and combat, the overall consensus is that the grinding mechanics detract from the experience, often feeling like busy work designed to extend playtime rather than enhance enjoyment. Additionally, the presence of microtransactions to bypass grinding further exacerbates the feeling of a grind-heavy design.
- “Progression feels fair and not grindy in the least (so far).”
- “Great! Also, it is not grindy at all. I've barely gotten done with the beginning and I am almost level 30. I am glad it's not the Odyssey leveling system.”
- “One character is more stealth-focused while the other is combat-focused. I think it's a perfect combination and love the change of pace; it makes the game not tedious.”
- “The leveling system was also tied to an open world filled with grindy, tedious activities.”
- “If you’ve played any modern Assassin’s Creed game, you already know what to expect: a monotonous loop of chasing UI icons, grinding arbitrary progression systems, and completing the same handful of repetitive activities.”
- “This game, while extremely pleasing to the eye, is nothing more than a busy work simulator, thinly covered by a lackluster story with robotic and unnatural dialogue, characters who have no real depth, and a world that feels tedious and very unrewarding to explore.”
atmosphere
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The atmosphere in "Assassin's Creed: Shadows" is widely praised for its immersive and detailed representation of feudal Japan, enhanced by stunning graphics, a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, and dynamic weather effects. Players feel transported into a vibrant world filled with cultural nuances, where every scene is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of authenticity and emotional depth. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and world-building are considered standout features that significantly contribute to the game's appeal.
- “The world feels alive, rich with detail, and filled with atmospheric effects that immerse you in feudal Japan.”
- “The graphics are stunning, every location feels alive and breathtaking, and the atmosphere completely immerses you in feudal Japan.”
- “The music is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere and enhancing every moment of gameplay.”
- “The atmosphere is flat, the world-building weak, and the usual attention to historical detail that Assassin’s Creed is known for is nowhere to be found.”
- “During one of the intro cut scenes, the game stopped and loaded 4 times, for 30 seconds completely breaking the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The only thing this game has going for it is the atmosphere and graphics; other than that, there are so many mechanics that are wrong with this game it makes it unplayable.”
emotional
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
10%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its touching story and character development, particularly in the Japanese voice acting, which enhances emotional moments. However, many critics found the narrative predictable and lacking depth, with poorly executed emotional scenes that felt forced or unconvincing. Overall, while there are standout moments that resonate emotionally, the inconsistent quality of storytelling and voice acting detracts from the overall impact.
- “The narrative is rich, emotional, and deeply engaging, with well-developed characters that you genuinely care about.”
- “The story is amazing to the point that the player emotionally connects to Naoe and Yasuke, and you feel the emotions they feel through the stories told within the universe.”
- “It’s a beautiful narrative that made me want to cry.”
- “I regret buying this game. I thought it would be an improvement in terms of gameplay compared to some other Ubisoft games, but no, this one is just the same as the others. If you like a boring storyline, bad characters, bad voice acting, generic gameplay mechanics, bare bones and boring RPG elements, repetitive quest lines and quest setup, uninteresting exploration, not to mention awful enemy AI—it's like they can either see you from miles away sometimes, and if they're right in front of you, they become blind and don't engage at all. My entire 7 hours of playing this game has been just boring, with no highlights at all. I will not be playing much more of this at all. This game is not going to save Ubisoft or make them any better; it's the same old slop that they put in every game they make, and this is no different. If you want a good feudal Japan open-world game, just play Ghost of Tsushima or Rise of Ronin. I had more fun than playing this mid trash.”
- “Very boring story, and nothing new.”
- “Terrible voice acting, boring story and dialogue, with terrible facial animations.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in both intentional and unintentional moments, such as the clunky combat mechanics and quirky NPC interactions. While some appreciate the game's attempts at humor, likening it to previous titles like "Odyssey," others note that it doesn't quite reach the same comedic heights. Overall, the game is filled with funny glitches, absurd character behaviors, and amusing dialogue, making it an entertaining experience despite its flaws.
- “And vice versa for Yasuke, he's an absolute powerhouse in combat, but is about as stealthy as a bull (do yourself a favor and try to do a leap of faith with him, it's absolutely hilarious).”
- “The NPCs' side quest descriptions and dialogues were funny and made me laugh out loud a few times.”
- “Combat with Yasuke is hilarious as he controls like he's the Terminator by sprinting straight through huge wooden barricades. If you like to obliterate everything in your path with no challenge or brainpower required, then you'll enjoy him.”
character development
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the depth and emotional impact of the narratives surrounding characters like Naoe and Yasuke, while others criticize the lack of cohesion and the feeling that certain characters were added as an afterthought. The side missions and character arcs are noted for their engaging stories, but the rapid introduction of characters can dilute their development. Overall, while the game features strong character designs and immersive storytelling, opinions vary on the effectiveness of character growth and the integration of dual protagonists.
- “The overall narrative is a bit generic, but the character development and side missions spawn wonderful and surprising stories of their own that I've absolutely loved experiencing.”
- “Fantastic facial expressions and deep character development, and the story is actually interesting for a change.”
- “The narrative is both emotionally impactful and action-packed, with some of the best character development I’ve seen in a long time.”
- “Yasuke's whole story and character development feels like an afterthought; he could have easily been an ally NPC like Leonardo in the Ezio trilogy or Adewale in Black Flag, and it would feel the same. It feels like they added him late into production to appeal to players that don't like stealth.”
- “I think we are supposed to care about these characters, but the lack of character development mixed with the horrible voice acting leaves me not caring at all.”
- “However, the lack of character development, the lack of engaging combat, and the poorly executed dual main character feature really drags this game down.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among users. While some find it infinitely replayable due to a compelling story and enjoyable side content, others feel it lacks depth and variety after completing the main objectives, leading to low replay value. Concerns about the long intro potentially hindering replayability also emerged.
- “✅ infinitely replayable (perfect history)”
- “🔲 infinitely replayable (or almost)”
- “The story is pretty good, nothing special but still enjoyable. There is also a lot of side content which makes the game's replayability more enjoyable. The graphics are great; you don't even need max graphics to enjoy the beauty of the game.”
- “Unfortunately, replayability is very low, and there is not much to do after completing the game and making your perfect hideout.”
- “Hoping it gets better story-wise and more playable in the future.”
- “Although I'm curious as to how the long intro will affect replayability.”

81%Critics’ scoreBased on 60 critic reviews

Buy Assassin's Creed Shadows

13h Median play time

18h Average play time

5-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 81 analyzed playthroughs

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