Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review: A Blend of Elegance and Violence

The Assassin’s Creed series is often seen as one of the most hit-or-miss AAA franchises. While the age-old conflict between Templars and Assassins still captures interest, lackluster storylines and repetitive gameplay have held recent entries back from matching the legacy of the beloved Ezio trilogy. However, when Assassin’s Creed Shadows was first revealed despite some controversy, I had a strong feeling it might break the pattern. Finally setting an AC game in Japan, this could be the title that reignites fans’ faith in this cherished franchise.

Thanks to a copy provided by Ubisoft, I took my time exploring Japan as Yasuke and Naoe. After spending nearly 26 hours with the game, I’m as hooked as Naoe’s grappling rope. So, without further ado, here’s my detailed and spoiler-free Assassin’s Creed Shadows review to help you decide if it’s worth the purchase.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Story: United Minds, Shared Destiny

The journey kicks off in 1579 Japan, a turbulent time marked by feudal battles and powerful warriors. Set against the backdrop of Oda Nobunaga’s reign and foreign invasions, the story immerses you in this era of unrest. Playing as both Naoe, the stealthy Shinobi from Iga, and Yasuke, the legendary Samurai, you’ll uncover the hidden truths fueling Japan’s chaos. At the heart of it all is the uprising against the Shinbakufu.

Unlike previous more linear Assassin’s Creed stories, AC Shadows demands greater effort to uncover its plot. Every action on the map ties directly to the main narrative or the two protagonists. You can choose ‘Canon’ mode to follow the original storyline or play freely and create your own path.

Be warned: this tale is filled with betrayals and the loss of many close allies. Fortunately, you get to seek vengeance as either Yasuke or Naoe. As you progress, your choices will shape the destiny of the Land of the Rising Sun.

A Bit of Level Gating Isn’t a Dealbreaker

You’ll need allies’ support to reach the endgame and better tools plus higher-level upgrades to face tougher enemies in certain areas. This level gating is both a strength and a weakness of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ story it slows down the rush to the conclusion but adds a layer of challenge and strategy.

I believe free exploration is vital for an action-adventure game, and that’s why Shadows lets players tackle any unlocked mission as they go. Just keep in mind, if your level is low, some missions might be quite challenging. Still, these side stories are crucial for the game’s overall context.

It reminds me a lot of Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. While Ezio’s main goal was to take down the Borgia family and free Rome, a big part of the game was piecing together his memories and recruiting new assassins. Shadows continues that nostalgic approach, using side quests to deepen the story and develop both Naoe and Yasuke into key figures in the narrative.

Naoe: The Stealthy Shinobi

Before the open-world exploration kicks off, most of the main quest focuses on Naoe. As an Assassin wielding a hidden blade, she sets high expectations. Naoe feels like a younger Ezio driven by vengeance to protect Iga and her people.

Her approach is stealthy, and you’ll need to embrace that playstyle throughout the game. Although you can build Naoe for combat, be warned: she has low health and can be one-shot by many enemies.

But as I mentioned, Naoe truly shines in stealth. With the grapple hook available early on, she can scale any height effortlessly. Her smaller build also makes her more agile and better at staying hidden from enemies. If you want to play Shadows as a stealth-focused campaign, Naoe is definitely your go-to choice.

Yasuke: The Legendary Samurai

While Naoe lurks in the shadows as the stealthy assassin, Yasuke is the unstoppable shield who confronts enemies head-on. Even Jin from Ghost of Tsushima would be intimidated by the sheer size and brutality of this foreigner-turned-Samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

The story follows Diogo as he steps into Yasuke’s shoes, serving Oda Nobunaga and the rest of Japan. His imposing size makes stealth gameplay nearly impossible, but that’s hardly a problem since you can simply bulldoze through hordes of enemies with raw strength.

Both characters play crucial roles in the main story, with mission experiences shaped by your choice of who to play. While certain missions are scripted for specific characters, most allow you to decide which one to take on, adding variety to your gameplay.

Engaging Voice Acting Draws You Into the Story

The standout aspect of experiencing AC Shadows’ story lies in its exceptional voice acting and atmospheric music. While English dialogue is available, the real immersion comes from playing in Immersive Mode, where characters speak in their native languages, delivering a truly authentic experience.

Subtitles are available to help you follow the story, with English being my choice, though other languages are offered as well. The Portuguese and Japanese voice acting bring an intense, raw energy that truly immerses you in the world. At times, it feels like stepping into an anime or even surpassing it. This is especially powerful during major battles and key cutscenes, where Naoe’s fierce rage and Yasuke’s compelling charm sent chills down my spine.

Keep in mind, your choices in the story can save key characters from death, letting you forge your own path if revenge isn’t always your ultimate aim. But to reach that goal, the gameplay needs to be engaging and never dull, right?

AC Shadows Gameplay: Navigate, Strike, and Advance

When it comes to gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows steps out of the shadows and makes a bold impression. You’re immersed in feudal Japan from the very start. As Yasuke, you wield sheer force and brutality; as Naoe, you rely on finesse and stealth. It’s this unique duality that demands thoughtful strategy and tactical execution.

Choose your character wisely before each mission your decision can mean the difference between success and failure. For instance, sneaking into a heavily guarded house to retrieve a letter is best left to Naoe, while Yasuke is ideal for brute-force combat. Trying to brawl as Naoe or sneak around as Yasuke can quickly backfire.

The dynamic blend of strength and stealth is vital for surviving in Shadows’ take on feudal Japan. Fortunately, switching between the two is seamless, making it easy to adapt your playstyle on the fly.

Everything Around You Is Valuable

Exploration plays a major role in the gameplay. First things first yes, you can pet cats and dogs in Assassin’s Creed Shadows (a vital feature, obviously). But beyond that wholesome detail, the real challenge lies in uncovering and collecting loot scattered across the world.

As the player, you’ll need to loot items from various challenges and locations spread across the map. Since they’re scattered everywhere, using the Pathfinder helps you efficiently track key spots. There’s also an Observer mechanic that lets you scout enemies, objectives, and hidden loot. You can smuggle these valuables using scouts, making them useful later on.

Loot isn’t just limited to money or upgrades it also contributes to your level, mastery level, and knowledge points. Gaining levels boosts your survivability in tougher regions. Meanwhile, mastery levels let you shape your character’s growth and abilities. However, these mastery levels are capped until you raise the ceiling by collecting more knowledge points.

That’s why exploration plays a central role in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. As in classic Assassin’s Creed titles, merchants are scattered throughout the world to buy and sell valuables. But unlike earlier entries, the loot you collect in Shadows is crucial for upgrading key buildings.

These buildings include the Stable, Study, Forge, and Kakurega. Kakurega, your safe house, acts as a fast travel point and should be one of the first upgrades you prioritize. The Forge functions like a blacksmith leveling it up unlocks more advanced weapon upgrades. And speaking of weapons, let’s dive into the combat next.

AC Shadows Combat: Choose Your Style and Stay Sharp

The combat in Assassin’s Creed Shadows exceeded my expectations. If you’re into Japanese weaponry, this game has it all. But before you rush into battle, remember it’s still Assassin’s Creed, so stealth is the default approach. That said, this mainly applies to Naoe. If you’re playing as Yasuke, you’ll need to unlock specific perks to gain access to assassination and stealth mechanics.

Light plays a major role in stealth, so extinguishing sources like lanterns and torches becomes crucial for staying hidden. The darker your surroundings, the better your chances of avoiding enemy detection. To complement this, both characters can equip powerful abilities that let them neutralize threats silently or avoid them entirely.

Naoe, for instance, can use Eagle Vision to track enemies and locate ideal hiding spots. She also has access to four traditional Shinobi tools Kunai, Shuriken, Smoke Bomb, and Bell each tailored for specific stealth scenarios. However, the real challenge begins once the alarm bell rings turning stealth into chaos and forcing you to either escape or adapt quickly.

Every restricted zone has one or more alarm bells, and trust me disable them as soon as possible. I made the mistake of ignoring them and ended up stuck with a ‘Wanted’ status that took an entire in-game season to vanish. If things get too heated, you can always switch to the other character to dodge the consequences of being notorious.

And if your stealth approach collapses? Don’t worry Plan B is simple: Slash and Thrash. Whether it’s Yasuke’s raw power or Naoe’s quick takedowns, there’s always a way to fight your way out.

A Thrilling Blend of Slashing and Thrashing

Thanks to its Japanese setting, the combat in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is as satisfying as some of the best entries in the franchise. I know it sounds bold, but once you start chaining combos with abilities and layering the right passives, it feels incredibly rewarding. Naoe’s fighting style is fast and nimble, though she remains fragile against tougher foes.

While Naoe can wield the AOE kusarigama, it struggles against larger samurai or beasts. That’s where Shadows’ smooth character swap feature comes in handy. Before starting a mission, you can switch to the character best suited for the fight. Naoe excels at quick strikes and precision attacks but is vulnerable against stronger, high-ranking foes.

Yasuke, on the other hand, is a powerhouse. You can develop his mastery as a Samurai and allocate points to wield either the Naginata or the Kanabo. While slicing through enemies is satisfying, the real thrill comes when Yasuke drives his Kanabo through an enemy’s head watching that brutal finish is unforgettable. The combination of detailed visuals, fluid animations, and immersive sound design turns every combat encounter into a feast for the senses, far from a dull sword fight.

Most boss fights take place in open areas, allowing you to run around and regain health before re-engaging. This might not sit well with Souls fans. If your regular attacks aren’t enough, you can tap into your adrenaline to unleash powerful abilities that can crush even higher-level bosses just like I did below!

One recurring frustration during combat was the weapon equip restriction. In certain situations, the game locks your weapon choices, and switching requires specific perk points if you’ve been spotted or are already in combat.

While this makes sense sometimes, I often found myself stuck especially when spotted and unable to use throwables to complete objectives. More than once, I had to deliberately drown my character to restart and reset the encounter.

Like Ghost of Tsushima?

I know many players worldwide like to compare AC Shadows’ combat to Ghost of Tsushima, and I have to admit, there are definitely some similarities especially in the slashing mechanics. But hey, that’s to be expected from a game set in Japan. Still, if you’re hoping for a direct copy, Shadows will probably disappoint you.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers great flexibility, allowing you to switch playstyles and mastery paths between two very contrasting protagonists. Yasuke focuses on raw power, while Naoe excels at swift, agile attacks. These differences set Shadows apart from what we’ve seen in Tsushima. While it captures the spirit, the overall experience is distinctly its own and not what you might expect if you’re looking for a Tsushima clone.

Seasons Are More than Visual Changes

Though trailers showcased Seasons mostly as a visual update, in Shadows the feature goes much deeper. Each season actively impacts gameplay, bringing different benefits or challenges with its unique conditions. You control the shift yourself using the Change Season button on the map giving you a manual way to influence the environment and your strategy.

As a quest-focused player, I didn’t spend much time exploring the map. Still, every time a season cycle completed whether by finishing a quest or fast traveling a visual cue appeared to show the upcoming season. This not only refreshes the game’s atmosphere with new visuals but also offers fresh strategic opportunities.

For example, in summer, you can make more use of ponds—Naoe can even unlock a perk to maximize stealth when infiltrating enemy territory. In contrast, winter slows your movement, making careful footing essential.

Season changes also bring seasonal resources that provide passive upgrade materials. While changing scenery is common in games, Shadows offers much more depth with its Seasons. Curious about the aesthetics?

AC Shadows Visuals: A True and Enchanting Portrait of Japan

When it comes to authentic landscapes, Ubisoft truly stands unmatched (despite its frequent controversies). Assassin’s Creed Shadows transports you to Feudal Japan from the very first frame. The moment Yasuke meets Oda Nobunaga, you immediately sense the visual mastery and the game certainly lives up to that promise.

AC Shadows offers a complete Japanese map set during Nobunaga’s reign, with Ubisoft working its magic to recreate iconic monuments and landscapes in stunning detail. This level of authenticity is reminiscent of the Assassin’s Creed Ezio Trilogy, featuring famous regions like Iga, Settsu, Yamato, and many others.

The regions also include stunning cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Asuka Rocks, each showcasing its distinct character. Seasonal changes further transform their appearance, with sights like the sakura trees at Ominesan-Ji and the towering peak of Azuchi Castle rendered beautifully in 1080p with ray tracing, creating truly exceptional visuals.

For most of the game, the stunning visuals are enhanced by a minimal UI system. While customizable, this clean and unobtrusive UI style really grew on me, and Ubisoft seems to have perfected it with Shadows. It’s especially captivating when you find yourself staring at the lush green fields or the iconic sunsets by the waterfall. But with all this visual richness, how well does the game actually perform?

AC Shadows Performance: Feather Smooth Frames

In 2025, I didn’t expect Ubisoft to deliver both stunning next-gen visuals and smooth performance but Shadows proved me wrong. Despite Japan’s breathtaking landscapes, the game runs without missing a beat. Well, that wasn’t always the case at the very start.

At first, I accidentally installed Assassin’s Creed Shadows on my HDD, turning the experience into a choppy loading simulator. After a quick reminder from my editor, I switched to an SSD and just like that, performance flipped completely. The game became perfectly smooth and playable on high settings.

But that’s not all there’s a software-based Ray Tracing system that automatically enhances the game’s visuals, even on non-RTX cards like the GTX 1650 Super we tested at the AzMo Tech office. This feature boosts graphics quality without significantly impacting performance. I know plenty of GTX users, including my friends, will appreciate this, especially since it doesn’t lower the FPS.

That said, I didn’t encounter any major hiccups or visual glitches during my playthrough. Kudos to Ubisoft for optimizing Shadows so well that even an average PC can run it smoothly.

Step Into the Shadows and Experience the Revolution

For recent titles, Ubisoft hasn’t quite met the high expectations set by the Assassin’s Creed franchise. With Revelations as my last favorite AC game and Black Flag as my favorite pirate adventure, it was clear the series needed a fresh start. That change arrives with the revolution led by Naoe and Yasuke.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows captures the essence of feudal Japan beautifully, showcasing its monuments and landscapes in stunning detail. Paired with impressive performance even on mid-range devices, Ubisoft is making a strong return to the scene.

The gameplay loop may start to feel a bit repetitive if you focus solely on the main story. But if you’re investing in a full game experience, it’s worth diving into all of it. Thankfully, the side quests carry meaningful weight, making exploration of each province genuinely rewarding.

Exploration helps keep the experience fresh despite the light level-gating system especially if you have the skills to bypass it. Whether you choose to chop, slice, burst heads, or spare lives, combat and choices in AC Shadows are dynamic, making your progression truly meaningful.

Combined with atmospheric Japanese music and immersive environmental sounds, Ubisoft consistently delivers on expectations. With its fresh Japanese setting and classic Assassin’s Creed storytelling, Shadows is sure to impress.

Pros and Cons

AzMo Tech Score

Assassin’s Creed Shadows restores the franchise’s original glory. The dynamic duo of Naoe and Yasuke makes the journey engaging, while the story retains that compelling Assassin’s Creed essence. Although the main story can feel somewhat restricted by level-gating, exploring Japan and diving into side quests makes every moment feel worth the investment. The fluid combat system and meaningful choices, combined with immersive sound design, create a consistently exciting gameplay experience. By blending rich Japanese themes with classic AC elements, Shadows rewards players who embrace its full depth.