Assassin's Creed Shadows Gets Positive Reviews In Japan as Bayonetta Director Speaks Out

There has been considerable discussion about how well Assassin’s Creed Shadows might be accepted in Japan, given that it takes place in their feudal 16th-century era and strives to replicate a large portion of the country within its open world map.

Prior to its launch, there were instances where Japanese entities expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of certain aspects in Shadows. For instance, you might recall the controversial ‘flag incident’, where Ubisoft utilized a historical reenactment group’s flag design without obtaining necessary permissions.

The company quickly issued an apology, however, such errors tainted their image right up until the release of Shadows last week. In truth, many observers from the West interpreted these instances as evidence that Japan was not genuinely interested in open-world RPGs.

In reality, the game has received largely favorable feedback from Japanese media outlets such as 4Gamer, Dengeki, Gamer, and Game Watch. As reported by Kazuma Hashimoto of Polygon, critics have lauded the game’s setting, with particular praise given to its seasonal and weather systems – aspects that western reviewers also commended.

Despite some small concerns about incorrect environmental aspects, everyone appears quite pleased overall. Moreover, critics seem to have taken a liking to Naoe, the shinobi character embarking on a vengeful journey. They particularly appreciate her development from a young protagonist into a mature character throughout the storyline – a theme that Japan often emphasizes in manga and anime.

Yasuke, on the other hand, hasn’t resonated with critics quite like he has with the audience. It’s worth mentioning that there are no criticisms about the inclusion of a samurai of African descent in the game, but some have suggested that as a character, Yasuke is less relatable compared to Naoe because he appears to lack obvious flaws or weaknesses. That said, it’s important to remember that this is just an opinion; we ourselves aren’t entirely convinced by this assessment, but everyone has their own perspective on things.

Indeed, Game Watch found it intriguing that players could explore Japan and significant historical figures from an outsider’s perspective. Moreover, Naoe and Yasuke, the game’s co-protagonists, have received widespread acclaim for their engaging interactions and well-crafted narratives. All in all, they’ve done a commendable job.

To sum up, while Japanese reviewers haven’t quite matched Assassin’s Creed Shadows with the same level of acclaim as Ghost of Tsushima – Sony’s stunning open-world game that resonated strongly there – it has nevertheless earned plenty of positive feedback.

In another relevant update, renowned Japanese game creator Hideki Kamiya (known for creating Bayonetta) has expressed his personal views regarding Shadows and those criticizing it harshly.

In my opinion, as a fan, I’d like to point out that Kamiya shared on social media that it’s not just about this specific situation, but there seems to be a divide between those who passionately express their intolerance with a strong ‘I can’t stand that!’ and the majority of us normal folks who tend to adopt a more relaxed ‘it’s all good’ approach, often remaining unheard.

I found it disappointing that it received such harsh criticism, yet I’m delighted to see that it’s performing well in terms of sales and receiving positive feedback from reviewers.

By the way, I wonder how Shadows will perform on the Japanese sales charts that are expected to come out this week.

How did you expect Shadow of the Tomb Raider to perform in Japan? Was it ever intended to rival Ghost of Tsushima? Don’t forget to glance at our Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide if you need assistance with the game, and then feel free to admire the beautiful Japanese landscapes shared in the comments below.

2025-03-26 21:06

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gets Positive Reviews In Japan as Bayonetta Director Speaks Out

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