Assassin's Creed Shadows: Can Ubisoft Finally Redeem Itself with This Game?

Once known as an invincible leader in video games, Ubisoft appeared to march forward, triumphantly transitioning from one hit game to another without a hitch. However, their pioneering work in open-world game design and the pursuit of endless enjoyment has transformed into repetitive rehashes, dictated more by shareholder demands and impersonal committees rather than creative passion. The unyielding forward momentum that once defined Ubisoft has been significantly weakened by a series of disappointments and widespread exhaustion.

Over time, I’ve personally grown disillusioned with Ubisoft, and it seems I’m not the only one. Criticisms such as an unwillingness to take risks, ill-timed integrations of “live service” aspects, a history of problematic launches and glitchy games, and a habit of abandoning promising projects like Immortals Fenyx Rising and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown have tarnished Ubisoft’s once prestigious standing. However, for many critics, there remains a sliver of hope: Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be the game that restores Ubisoft’s reputation.

Last year, I got a sneak peek at Assassin’s Creed Shadows which sparked some optimism, but I’ve been cautious about getting too enthusiastic to prevent potential letdown. Recently, however, I’ve had the opportunity to truly play AC Shadows during a four-hour remote preview, and my initial apprehensions have been dispelled. To be honest, I’m genuinely thrilled for this game now. It might just be the turnaround that Ubisoft is desperately seeking.

What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents the latest installment in an enduring video game franchise, building upon the role-playing gameplay mechanics first introduced in Assassin’s Creed Origins (2017). In this iteration, Ubisoft is transporting players to a location frequently demanded since the series’ inception — Japan. To be more precise, it’s set during the tumultuous Sengoku period of the 16th century, amidst the chaos and conflict of feudal Japan.

After the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla in 2020, Ubisoft has introduced several updates to attract fans of the original Assassin’s Creed series. Now, gamers can seamlessly switch between two lead characters whenever they choose, with each character offering a unique gameplay experience. One is the nimble ninja, Naoe, equipped with an array of ninja gadgets, and the other is the towering samurai, Yasuke, modeled after a historical figure, who is a formidable warrior in battle.

The shadows of AC could signal the beginning of a fresh chapter for the series, should it live up to expectations (and I sense it might). Assassin’s Creed Shadows was postponed until March 20, 2025, but rest assured, you won’t have to wait much longer to immerse yourself in feudal Japan on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. For additional details about this game, check out our Assassin’s Creed Shadows FAQ.

AC Shadows hands-on: Bringing feudal Japan to life

From its beginning, the Assassin’s Creed series has been recognized for its stunning visuals and intricately designed open worlds. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is breathtakingly beautiful, leading many to anticipate that its successor would raise the bar even higher in terms of graphics. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t appear to be a huge leap in graphical quality initially, but an updated Anvil Engine and additional development time have enabled Ubisoft to make significant improvements in areas that are arguably more crucial.

Primarily, this implies a more interactive or changing open world. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is creating its portrayal of feudal Japan based on three aspects: varying time of day, shifts through four unique seasons, and numerous specific weather conditions. The towns and villages, vast fields and farms, as well as peaceful forests and mountains all appear stunning individually, but even in my brief experience, I could observe how time influences everything.

At a quick look, Assassin’s Creed Shadows may not seem like a significant improvement in graphic quality, yet an enhanced Anvil Engine and additional development hours have enabled Ubisoft to bring about substantial alterations in areas that might prove more crucial.

As time moves forward, the world doesn’t only appear different, but it also evolves in ways that are visually striking and beyond mere observation. With each passing season, fresh possibilities emerge, new events unfold globally, and you might encounter unique weather phenomena. Ubisoft ensured that they didn’t overlook the intricate details – there’s a wider range of NPC appearances and behaviors, as well as an increase in crowd density. The NPCs will react differently based on your character selection, and they will be influenced by weather changes, seasons, and other factors.

In this game, several environmental objects can be interacted with or destroyed, adding to the immersive experience. For instance, Naoe’s kusarigama (a weapon resembling a chain-attached sickle) might shatter nearby boxes and wagons, while Yasuke’s sword could slice through entire fences and doors with precision. This interactive environment enhances the action and makes battles feel more impactful.

A memory that strongly resonates with me is when, as Spring transformed into Summer, I found myself exiting a building and encountering a powerful blast of warm wind. The trees and tall vegetation before me were being driven by this gust, and litter such as leaves and dust whizzed past me and away. It’s a seemingly insignificant moment and by no means exclusive to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but it serves as one tiny piece of the vibrant, active Japan Ubisoft aimed to construct.

I greatly enjoyed venturing into the small piece of Japan that Ubisoft allowed me to roam freely in. Some aspects, like facial expressions and textures, might not reach the level of games such as Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (still, the voice acting was better than expected), but I’m content to forgo close scrutiny and instead appreciate what might be the finest open-world sandbox we’ve ever witnessed in Assassin’s Creed.

AC Shadows hands-on: Major gameplay upgrades

A frequent complaint about the current RPG-style Assassin’s Creed games is that their core gameplay, particularly combat, strays too far from what made the initial games so popular. The fighting feels less smooth, enemies seem tougher, and although there are technically more options available, it often seems like you have fewer choices in how to engage in a fight. I had hopes that Assassin’s Creed Shadows would help improve this negative image, and now I can confirm that it does.

In “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” the narrative centers around two primary figures: the fictional ninja, Naoe, who employs an assortment of ninja weapons and her exceptional agility to outsmart adversaries, and the historical samurai, Yasuke, whose immense size and power enable him to handle formidable weapons and demolish various obstacles. Unlike other games where you pick one character, in this game, both characters are integral to the storyline, and you can switch between them whenever you desire. Notably, Naoe showcases the advancements made by Ubisoft in the AC stealth system, such as lying flat to remain concealed or navigate narrow spaces.

In the Assassin’s Creed series, Naoe and Yasuke exhibit distinctly different playstyles. Naoe, who is the smallest character, is swift and agile, making her ideal for stealthy maneuvers and quick escapes. On the other hand, Yasuke is one of the largest characters and is exceptionally strong in close-quarters combat, proving deadly against enemies. The beauty of Assassin’s Creed Shadows lies in its flexibility, allowing players to pick their preferred approach for almost any mission or objective – whether it’s stealth and the use of a hidden blade or head-on confrontations.

In simpler terms, both characters are enjoyable to control. For most of my four-hour trial, I favored one character, and the enhancements Ubisoft made in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are evident here. The new set of combat and parkour animations look fantastic, and the gameplay mechanics feel smoother and more interactive. Although it might take a bit to get used to, I felt like I had greater control over movement than ever before, even if Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t have as many climbable surfaces as previous games (I rarely viewed this as an issue, though, as I always had several options for routes).

The game, Combat, perfectly suits my preferences – it offers both precision and tactile feel, providing superb responses from enemies as you stagger them, break their armor, inflict wounds, or deliver a brutal final blow. Each character has distinct advantages and drawbacks, compelling you to strategize your combat style and scenario selection thoughtfully. For instance, Naoe can navigate almost anywhere, but she’s vulnerable when cornered or surrounded. Yasuke, on the other hand, can take on powerful opponents effortlessly, yet his presence is hard to ignore.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. While I could only delve into a single segment of the open-world environment, it seemed to mark a welcome change in game development, presenting a refreshing departure from the more recent Assassin’s Creed series.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. Although I could only delve into one section of the open world, it seemed like a significant improvement in game design compared to more recent Assassin’s Creed games. The fact that you can create and enhance equipment, as well as develop your own stronghold throughout the game, does add a good deal to the experience, despite requiring some tedious resource gathering.

Instead of overwhelming you with countless minor tasks, AC Shadows subtly evolves the world around you, making observant players self-sufficient in gathering essential resources. Missions and intriguing spots demand thorough exploration, involving the creation of an extensive spy and informant network to assist in locating your next target. Marked items on your map are usually significant, consisting of contracts, side quests, and highly prized treasures. The game also encourages venturing off the main path, as Naoe enjoys painting wildlife encounters, such as a heron catching its meal or a mother deer washing her fawn.

To fully determine if this game’s world maintains its intrigue and engagement throughout, I require additional playtime. However, I find myself more optimistic than I have been in a while regarding an open-world Ubisoft production. There are numerous enhancements that I truly appreciate as well. For instance, when you’re tailing a character, you can now press a button to synchronize your speed and route with theirs, eliminating concerns about moving too quickly or slowly. If you wish to adhere to the Assassin’s Creed narrative, you can activate the returning “Canon Mode” from AC Valhalla, which allows Naoe and Yasuke to make decisions in line with Ubisoft’s lore without your intervention.

Now, there’s a button you can press for seamless synchronization with their speed and route, eliminating concerns about going either too quickly or too slowly.

In my opinion, what I find most appealing is the “Immersive Mode” featured in AC Shadows. This game allows you to pick from various language options, even offering fully voiced Japanese. However, the Immersive Mode stands out because every character speaks their native tongue seamlessly, transitioning between Japanese, Portuguese, and other languages as necessary while still maintaining your chosen subtitle language. It’s a feature that I believe more games set in diverse locations should incorporate. The extra time spent on developing AC Shadows is evident in many aspects, giving the impression that Ubisoft is attentive to details and committed to crafting the best Assassin’s Creed game yet.

AC Shadows hands-on: Signaling a change at Ubisoft

It’s clear that Ubisoft, like us, recognizes the crucial role Assassin’s Creed Shadows plays in their success. Their recent games such as Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed have fallen short of expectations, leading to the closure of XDefiant, an FPS experiment. Moreover, Skull and Bones, a high-budget production, didn’t hit the mark. In fact, Ubisoft is contemplating a partnership with Tencent for divesting certain video game assets as part of a new undertaking.

Over the past few years, standout games from Ubisoft such as Immortals Fenyx Rising and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown have reportedly fallen short of certain internal targets, leading to their development teams being disbanded; even Star Wars Outlaws, a game highly praised in 2024, left many feeling it had potential unrealized. In essence, Ubisoft’s reputation for consistently delivering games that leave room for improvement has been upheld.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to see that Ubisoft is taking its time with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, suggesting their commitment to delivering an exceptional game. Two months before launch, my hands-on preview has me optimistic that they’ve nailed it. While there’s still a lot we don’t know until release, if the combat, traversal, open world, and accessibility live up to the hype, this could be one of the best entries in the series yet. If Ubisoft can pull off this landing, it might just signal a much-needed change in their approach to game development.

To stand out from the crowd of new game releases, cookie-cutter games won’t suffice, especially with numerous talented teams striving for innovation. For Ubisoft to remain competitive, it must abandon its inclination towards tradition or fleeting trends and instead empower developers with the necessary time and resources to create games that reflect their passion and attention to detail. While I’ve only played a few hours of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I hope that Ubisoft has finally understood this message. However, I fear it might be a case of too little, too late.

2025-01-23 20:10

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Can Ubisoft Finally Redeem Itself with This Game?

What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

AC Shadows hands-on: Bringing feudal Japan to life

AC Shadows hands-on: Major gameplay upgrades

AC Shadows hands-on: Signaling a change at Ubisoft

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