Every time a new Assassin’s Creed game launches, it’s typically among the largest titles of the year. However, there are instances when this isn’t the case, like with Assassin’s Creed Mirage in 2023, which was designed as a smaller, cost-effective spin-off to keep fans engaged until the main event came out. Now, it seems that the main event is just around the corner, and quite impressively, it appears to be quite substantial. Barring any major mishaps – something that has unfortunately become all too frequent with Ubisoft’s biggest releases recently – Assassin’s Creed Shadows looks set to end the year as one of the most significant and high-profile releases.
For many dedicated followers of the series, this latest release carries a greater impact than numerous past headlining Assassin’s Creed games. The primary reason for this is that with Shadows, we are finally being granted the feudal Japan setting for Assassin’s Creed that fans have been yearning for, seemingly since forever now. Ever since the series’ inception, Japan has consistently ranked among the most demanded settings for Assassin’s Creed, so it is only natural that anticipation for the franchise’s long-overdue journey to this region is at an all-time high.
Some might counter that perhaps the Assassin’s Creed series has been delayed in reaching Japan, or put another way, Ghost of Tsushima may have already satisfied the appetite for a game like this by arriving first and executing so flawlessly that some no longer yearn for such a title as they once did. For many, an Assassin’s Creed game set in Japan seems less essential in a post-Ghost of Tsushima era, while others still believe that even if there is still demand for this kind of experience (which undoubtedly exists), Assassin’s Creed Shadows will face a challenge in matching the quality Ghost achieved when it was released nearly five years ago.
Considering the rollercoaster journey of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, with its tendency to expand its open-world design excessively during its action RPG phase, and given Ubisoft’s struggles in recent years, it’s understandable that skeptics have their doubts. However, as an ardent fan of Assassin’s Creed, I find myself becoming more optimistic about Shadows with each passing day. The closer we get to its release, the more compelling and polished it appears, backed by promises from the developers that resonate positively.
For instance, in contrast to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which was criticized for its excessive size and unnecessary vastness, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is focusing on keeping things under control in terms of scale to prevent issues similar to those encountered with Valhalla. The developers have stated that the map size of Shadows will be roughly equivalent to that of Assassin’s Creed Origins from 2017, meaning it will still be a large game but not unreasonably so. In terms of runtime, the developers have also promised an experience closer to Origins and Odyssey rather than Valhalla, although both are still substantial games that some might feel could benefit from being streamlined. Nonetheless, the move towards more manageable proportions in Shadows is a positive step compared to the excessiveness of Valhalla.
However, let me emphasize that there’s more to it than just what meets the eye. The significant modifications and improvements that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is bringing about in fundamental aspects like gameplay and design are indeed noteworthy. For longtime fans of Assassin’s Creed who have felt disenchanted with the series’ departure from its initial concept, these changes will undoubtedly sound enticing. After all, stealth and parkour were the foundational pillars of the Assassin’s Creed games, and Shadows is promising some potentially groundbreaking enhancements in this regard.
As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share that we’re bringing in Naoe the shinobi as one of our main mechanics, shifting the gameplay emphasis towards stealth. With a moveset centered around swift movement and covert operations, this character will offer an immersive experience for those who love sneaking into enemy bases unnoticed, reminiscent of the old-school Assassin’s Creed games. For combat enthusiasts, Yasuke will provide alternative options, but if you’re all about stealth and infiltration, Naoe is your guy.
Naoe’s moveset includes going prone and crawling around, as well as using tools like chimes and smoke bombs to manipulate light and shadow. These new mechanics will allow you to create dynamic hiding spots by extinguishing light sources, making Assassin’s Creed Shadows a stealth-focused game once again – a delightful return for longtime series fans like myself.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows returns to the traditional, intricate approach of gameplay similar to earlier titles, deviating from the “climb anywhere” philosophy introduced in Assassin’s Creed Origins and mostly maintained since then, with the exception of Mirage. Like Mirage, Shadows will focus more on surfaces that are climbable, where handholds, ledges, cracks, and other features will matter significantly for movement. Additionally, Naoe will have a grappling hook at his disposal, adding an exciting twist to traversal mechanics.
For those eagerly anticipating an immersive and detailed exploration experience within a broad, Japan-inspired setting, the upcoming game “Shadows” seems to be addressing key concerns that were present in games like “Valhalla”. The developers have emphasized a more organic approach to exploration, focusing on immersion and intricate details rather than overloading players with excessive content. Instead of bombarding players with optional tasks and markers every few moments, “Shadows” promises a diverse environment, visually stunning locations, and a design that will guide you from one interesting spot to another in a more natural manner, without the feeling of ticking off items on a list. While such open-world design is challenging to achieve, if “Shadows” can deliver on its promises, it could significantly surpass its predecessors in terms of quality and enjoyment.
Essentially, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to deliver on several promising fronts, potentially ranking among the series’ finest entries in years. However, the question remains: will it truly meet these expectations? As we approach its release, there’s a growing optimism that it will, despite Ubisoft’s ongoing struggles and setbacks. Here’s hoping that Shadows manages to pull the company out of its slump and offers an eagerly awaited taste of Assassin’s Creed in feudal Japan after such a prolonged wait.
*Please remember, the opinions shared within this article belong solely to the author. They don’t necessarily reflect the views or stance of GamingBolt as a whole.*
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2025-03-07 03:45