Assassin’s Creed Shadows Controversies and Delays Explained

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The “Assassin’s Creed” series has been a mainstay of Ubisoft since 2007, with its historical stealth games comprising 13 titles in total. Some of the most notable entries include “Assassin’s Creed II”, “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood”, and “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag”, which garnered significant praise from critics for their action-adventure gameplay. Over the years, fans have expressed a desire for a game set in Japan focusing on ninjas due to the series’ emphasis on stealth combat. In September 2022, Ubisoft responded with the announcement of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”. However, since then, criticisms about aspects such as Yasuke’s appearance and gameplay quality have caused some fans to question whether they will purchase this upcoming installment.

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In the game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” set towards the end of Japan’s Sengoku period, where societal discussions and civil wars persisted for over a century, we find two main characters. One is Naoe, a female ninja (shinobi), and the other is Yasuke, an African samurai based on a historical figure from the 15th century. The gameplay will feature distinct styles for each character, with Naoe focusing on stealth-oriented controls and Yasuke utilizing more aggressive movements. Although having two protagonists isn’t novel, as seen in “Assassin’s Creed Syndicate,” discussions about Yasuke arose following the trailer premiere in May 2024.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Criticisms

A significant amount of criticism towards this production primarily comes from conservative critics and fans, who find the portrayal of Yasuke as “woke” and question his authenticity as a genuine samurai. Many point out that while Yasuke is the first recorded African in Japanese history and served as a weapon-bearer for the influential Oda Nobunaga, the decision to focus on his story instead of a native Japanese male’s story has drawn criticism. The controversy intensified when Elon Musk commented on Twitter about Assassin’s Creed Shadows, saying “DEI kills art.” Game director Charles Benoit clarified that Yasuke’s role within the game allows players to explore Japan from a foreigner’s perspective.

During the Ubisoft Forward event in June 2024, the unveiling of Assassin’s Creed Shadows sparked more vocal criticism than expected. The combat styles depicted in the trailer were appreciated by some fans, but the visual and auditory elements left much to be improved. With animation that seemed jerky, limited facial expressions, and unnatural dialogue, many spectators expressed disappointment regarding the direction of Ubisoft’s next Assassin’s Creed project.

To make matters worse, the release of Shadows was initially scheduled for November 15, 2024, but was subsequently postponed to February 14, 2025, due to criticism received during the launch of Star Wars Outlaws. Ubisoft decided to use this extra time to refine Shadows, and as a result, they withdrew the season pass for Assassin’s Creed Shadows and issued refunds for pre-orders placed before the game was demonstrated publicly. As the launch date approached, Ubisoft delayed the game again, this time from February to March 20, 2025, as they were taking “decisive actions” to restructure the company and investigate potential sales strategies.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows After the Delays

During the development process of “Shadows”, Ubisoft has responded to various criticisms that have been levied against it, some constructive and others less so. In a recent interview with ComicBook, creative director Jonathan Dumont stated that the delays in release have proven beneficial for the team, allowing them more time to perfect the game. Regarding the possibility of a cooperative mode in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”, they are considering it, but their current priority is ensuring a successful launch before exploring multiplayer features.

As a devoted Assassin’s Creed fan, I can’t contain my excitement for the upcoming title. The stealth-based gameplay making a comeback is music to my ears – something that’s been noticeably absent in several past versions. However, the enthusiasm isn’t universal; some critics have already expressed their concerns. While the anticipation for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows remains high, many of us are playing a waiting game, eagerly awaiting confirmation that this long-awaited project was worth the wait.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC on March 20, 2025.

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2025-02-05 21:40