Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review

Stealth Matters Again

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a return to form for the franchise, the first time since AC Origins that the series’ open-world design has truly felt authentic again. With updated stealth and combat systems as well as new mechanics for exploration and collection, there’s rarely a dull moment. Shadows is less overwhelming than Valhalla and Odyssey, yet still offers plenty of engaging content as players explore Feudal Japan. Together, these mechanics, including a robust new base-building system, create a rewarding and consistently engaging experience. While Ubisoft got a lot right with Shadows they missed the mark in a couple areas, one of the most notable being nonlinear storytelling. While this structure can work well, the game lacks a clear linear path to keep players engaged at times. Without it, important story elements risk getting lost amid the sheer volume of activities to do within the game. The removal of the modern-day storyline also feels off at first, while many fans weren’t fond of these segments, eliminating them feels like a missed opportunity to add depth and continuity to the franchise. Hopefully, future titles will strike a better balance between gameplay systems and cohesive storytelling. Despite its narrative shortcomings, Shadows still stands out as one of the franchise’s strongest releases in recent years.

Considerations:

  • ✅ Beautifully crafted Feudal Japan

  • ✅ Naoe and Yasuke Feel unique to play

  • ✅ Combat, Stealth, Base building very fun

  • ❌ No current day storyline

  • ❌ Nonlinear story needs balance with linear elements

Final Verdict:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets 8.5 Junjiros causing trouble out of 10

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Assassin’s Creed Origins Review

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