Assassin's Creed Shadows: The Full Review of Ubisoft's Feudal Japan

After nearly two decades and over a dozen entries, Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally brings the series to feudal Japan. Set in the late 1500s, during the Azuchi–Momoyama period, the game introduces two playable characters: Naoe and Yasuke. Naoe is a shinobi from the Iga province, and Yasuke is based on the real-life African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. Their paths cross after Yasuke helps destroy Naoe’s village during a military campaign. Eventually, they join forces to stop a powerful group called the Shinbakufu, which operates behind the scenes to control regional lords and destabilize Japan.

The map includes nine major regions, such as Kyoto and the countryside of Kansai. Each location is filled with shrines, castles, villages, and temples. Many are tied directly to missions or contain useful resources. And as time passes, the game shows changing seasons. For example, in winter, moats freeze and allow new paths into fortresses; in spring, cherry blossoms fill the air. Rainfall makes it easier to move quietly, and storms affect both movement and vision.

The game’s structure focuses on mission planning. Rather than a normal quest log, there is a target board. This board grows as players learn more about the Shinbakufu. You don’t get all the answers right away. First, you gather clues, talk to people, and infiltrate enemy bases. Once you find enough information, you unlock a full profile on a target, and then you’re free to eliminate them. 

As for the two main characters, they play very differently. Naoe is built for stealth. She can hide in shadows, crawl under buildings, climb walls, and use a chain blade to silently take out guards. The game includes systems that make stealth more meaningful. For example, enemies react to light and sound. Naoe can put out torches or use smoke bombs to escape. Her Eagle Sense allows her to see enemies through walls, which helps her plan her next move.

In contrast, Yasuke is much stronger but less flexible. He cannot climb most walls or sneak easily, but he makes up for it in combat. He uses a wide set of weapons, like a katana, a kanabo, a naginata, a bow, and a teppo rifle. His attacks break armor and stagger enemies. He can knock down doors and destroy barriers. In group fights, he is hard to stop. However, many areas are built with stealth in mind, meaning Yasuke is not always the best fit for certain missions. This causes a bit of imbalance. I often found myself choosing Naoe even in missions where both were available.

Combat is harder than in previous Assassin’s Creed games. Enemies block more and use special attacks that can’t be parried unless you unlock certain abilities, which can drop your Health quickly if you’re not careful. Parrying and dodging are necessary. Naoe cannot block at all and has less health, so fighting with her requires patience and planning. Yasuke is much more durable, but his size and movement make stealth nearly impossible. His combat options expand faster, and his skill tree is much larger.

Speaking of skills, each character has their own tree based on weapons and tools. Naoe can unlock new grapples, stealth boosts, and tools that distract or trap enemies. Yasuke’s skills focus on strength and breaking defenses. To unlock higher tiers, players must gain Knowledge Points by exploring the world, finishing side tasks, or completing investigations. 

The game’s loot system returns with color-coded gear. Most of the items are not very useful, but some legendary weapons and armor provide special effects. For example, I found a katana that poisons enemies when I deflect an attack and a kusarigama that deals bonus damage when I knock enemies into walls. These items can be improved at the forge using materials like wood, metal, and stone. Gear traits can also be removed and added to other items through engravings, allowing custom builds.

The map does not use as many icons as earlier games. When you reach a high point and synchronize, the map does not show every activity. Instead, it gives general hints, which makes exploration feel more natural. You are pushed to follow clues and signs instead of running from marker to marker. Some missions give clues like “south of the shrine” or “near a street with red lanterns.” You can also use scouts, one-time helpers who mark areas on the map. However, scouts are limited and must be used carefully.

The Hideout is your base. It can be upgraded by collecting resources. You can build a forge, a dojo, and other structures that unlock new tools or character boosts. There are also cosmetic options like trees, animals, and statues. I focused mostly on buildings that helped with missions, but those who like customization will find a lot to do. Several allies join your base throughout the game, such as a thief, a displaced shinobi, and a young orphan. That said, they do not have deep storylines. After recruiting them, there is little additional dialogue or development.

The main story takes about 40 to 50 hours to complete. You can play most missions as either Naoe or Yasuke. In some special cases, you control both. One mission has Naoe sneaking into a castle to take out gunmen while Yasuke attacks the front gate and challenges the local lord. These missions stand out because they show how the two characters can work together. I wish there were more of them. Most of the time, you pick one character and stick with them for hours.

On the technical side, the game runs smoothly. On my PC with a 2080 Super, I had stable performance at 1080p on medium settings. Frame rates stayed around 60 even during big battles or in crowded cities like Kyoto. Lighting and particle effects look great. Combat animations are sharp, and environmental destruction adds a layer of realism. Yasuke can throw enemies through carts or break stands during fights. Nonetheless, AI behavior can still be strange. Guards don’t chase you outside of restricted zones, and the lack of a strong crime system means you can cause trouble in public without lasting consequences.

As for the story, it works, but it doesn’t surprise. Naoe’s journey is a standard revenge plot, and Yasuke’s involvement in the main conflict is underused. He joins the mission, but his motivation is not strong until the final chapters. The Shinbakufu is interesting in idea but not in execution. Most of the people you target are corrupt leaders, but few of them leave a lasting impression. Side quests also lack depth. One of the few that stood out was about a man pretending to be a yokai (demon) dressed as a melon. It was strange but memorable.

Finally, the modern-day elements are almost gone. There is no main modern character. The Animus is just a way to track progress and unlock gear. You can complete challenges to earn rewards, but it’s all optional. The Assassin vs. Templar story is barely present until the final scenes, so it might disappoint longtime fans who enjoy the series’ sci-fi background. It feels like Ubisoft is slowly moving away from that part of the lore.

Our ratings for Assassin’s Creed Shadows out of 100 (Ratings FAQ):

• Presentation 90: A visually striking and immersive world with dynamic seasons and strong audio design.
• Gameplay 85: Stealth and combat are deep, responsive, and varied across two distinct characters.
• Single Player 75: The story is predictable but supported by strong world-building and mission structure.
• Performance (RTX 2080 Super, 1080p, Medium Settings) 85: Smooth and stable with no major technical issues.
• Overall 83: A strong entry with excellent mechanics and visuals, held back by a weak narrative.

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