Assassin’s Creed Shadows Preview – A New Chapter for the Series

I’ve been eagerly anticipating more news about Assassin’s Creed Shadows since it was first teased. I have loved the series since it was first played it back on the Xbox 360, but with so many annual releases and overly complex narratives that put the MCU to shame, I dropped off with Assassin’s Creed Mirage . Now, with Shadows , the series looks to have some life injected back into it, so I was excited to finally see what Ubisoft cooked up, and at Summer Game Fest 2024 , I finally got my chance.

After sitting in a 45-minute in-depth look at this upcoming entry in the long-running franchise, I must say it has exceeded my expectations and has me excited to dive back in. Set in feudal Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period , Assassin’s Creed Shadows has finally moved away from the typical series locations and looks to take players on an immersive journey through a tumultuous era of Japan’s history.

The game begins in 1579, a pivotal year marked by the rise of Oda Nobunaga , the great unifier of Japan who was not afraid to use Western weapons to get a leg up in his struggle for possible. This setting allows for a wide range of locations, from bustling castle towns and ports to serene temples and shrines, and even from the demo, the world is looking stunning. Once again, Ubisoft is using real history to weave its complex narrative, and it also marks the first time players will take control of someone who actually existed in the era.

This brings me to one of the most striking differences I felt for the franchise, but one I am most excited about: the dual protagonist system. Players will step into the roles of Naoe, a skilled shinobi from Iga Province, and Yasuke, the historical legendary African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. This dynamic duo offers a fresh perspective on the era and offers a vastly different way to tackle the many missions in the game.

With Naoe embodying the traditional Assassin’s Creed stealth gameplay , she feels right at home in the universe Ubisoft has built up to now, but with Yasuke, the studio is offering players a new way to take on the world, bringing a more direct, brutal combat style to the table.

While teasing many aspects of the game, the extended reveal gave a look at the unique ways in which Naoe and Yasuke navigate the missions and how, while both looking to take on the same objective, it can be done in vastly different ways. Naoe’s agility and grappling hook allow for fluid, vertical traversal, while her hidden blade and underwater stealth provide new opportunities for silent takedowns. The weapons Naoe has at her disposal manage to balance feeling a part of Japanese history while also very fitting with the lore of Assassin’s Creed up to now.

Yasuke, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with in open combat, wielding massive weapons like the kanabō to shatter armour and doors. While there has always been the option to take on missions head-on, this is the first time it is truly a viable strategy that won’t just lead to frustration or hitting a roadblock that forces you to fight with the game’s systems to actually allow your “ Leeroy Jenkins ” style of play. Yasuke is built to make this style of play possible, and while it may not be for everyone, it is fantastic to see Ubisoft trying something and pushing the limits of the franchise in new ways.

“The various locations and weather give Assassin’s Creed Shadows a truly modern feel that makes this version of Japan feel like a living, breathing environment waiting to be discovered.”

The non-linear campaign structure detailed in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a welcome change and feels like a natural evolution of what we have seen in the past, giving players the freedom to track targets in any order. Some targets will be stumbled upon organically, while others require more structured infiltration. The ability to build up a spy network and send agents on intelligence-gathering missions adds a layer of strategy to the hunt. The ability to use the world to your advantage gives you the opportunity to attack under the veil of night or go crashing through the front door and various ways in between, with it all feeling valid and exciting in its own ways.

Looking beyond the major new features and just enjoying the visuals, I have to say Assassin’s Creed Shadows looks stunning. The updated Anvil engine allows for more detailed environments, breakable props, and realistic lighting. The near 1:1 scale of the castles and mountains creates a sense of authenticity, immersing players in the world like never before. The various locations and weather give Assassin’s Creed Shadows a truly modern feel that makes this version of Japan feel like a living, breathing environment waiting to be discovered.

Even though I am excited about what Ubisoft played during my demo session, I will note that some of the animations still feel a bit rough. Now, don’t get me wrong, much of what was shown off was impressive, but some of the fighting and death animations, especially in the Yasuke segments, felt unfinished. This, combined with the usual visual rough edges seen in past games, takes away from the potential of the experience. It may sound like I am nit-picking here, but when we have games like Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro already capturing the sublime beauty of feudal Japan, the bar is raised pretty high for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

I do want to be fair here, though. While comparisons to Ghost of Tsushima are inevitable , it’s important to note that Shadows is set three centuries later, during a time of significant cultural and technological change. I also must admit that the world size in Assassin’s Creed Shadows makes it a bit unfair to compare it to much more narrative experiences like Sekiro , even if, at first glance, they are trying to capture a similar feel.

Still, as someone who has followed the Assassin’s Creed series since its inception, I am thrilled to see the franchise venture into uncharted territory with Shadows . The feudal Japan setting, dual protagonists, and evolving world mechanics all contribute to what looks to be a truly unique and captivating experience. I also can not wait to see how they weave in historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and the legendary shinobi Hattori Hanzo. The potential for new and engaging stories is exciting, even if I worry it can stick the landing.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has the potential to be a game-changer for the series, offering a fresh take on the classic formula while still staying true to its roots. With its Fall 2024 release date fast approaching, I can’t wait to delve into the shadows of feudal Japan and uncover the secrets that await. As a fan and a journalist, I have high hopes for this ambitious installment.