Japan has long been a dream destination for Assassin's Creed fans, and finally, Ubisoft is set to take players to the east in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Initially unveiled under the working title Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows adheres to the open-world structure of previous games in the series while spotlighting two pivotal characters in its narrative. Players will delve into the history of feudal Japan through the eyes of Yasuke and Naoe, two protagonists with distinct methods for eliminating adversaries.
Following the cinematic reveal trailer, here's a comprehensive overview of what we know about Assassin's Creed Shadows so far. Initially slated for release on November 15, the game has been postponed to February 14, 2025. Ubisoft has cited the need for additional time to refine and polish the game before its new launch date. Ubisoft+ Premium subscribers will gain full access to the Ultimate Edition of the game starting November 12, three days prior to its official release.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated for release on PC, Mac, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Ubisoft confirmed in a 2022 blog post that starting with Assassin's Creed Codename Red, games will be developed specifically for current-gen consoles, implying that the new installment will not be available on last-gen consoles. Similar to Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015), Shadows features two protagonists: the shinobi Naoe and the real-life samurai Yasuke. Players can switch between them during the campaign, each with their own distinct playstyles and missions.
Yasuke, believed to have been born in Mozambique and brought to Japan, served the daimyo Oda Nobunaga. Historical records provide limited information about him, but Ubisoft promises interactions with significant historical figures of the era. Stephanie-Anne Ruatta, world director and historian at Ubisoft Quebec, expressed excitement about Yasuke's development, stating, "Narratively, we had so much fun imagining the kind of person who would have this trajectory." While players will explore themes of honor, justice, and belonging through Yasuke, Naoe offers a stealth-oriented approach inspired by the roots of the Assassin's Creed series. The fictional daughter of historical figure Fujibayashi Nagato, Naoe operates covertly with her ninja skills.
Assassin's Creed Shadows has sparked controversy regarding its story and characters. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot addressed "malicious and personal online attacks" directed at some employees, condemning these actions and expressing support for his team. In an interview, Guillemot highlighted his concerns about online attacks and his excitement for the future of the video game industry. Although he did not mention any specific game, it appears he was responding to the backlash surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Despite Yasuke's historical authenticity, some critics have questioned his inclusion in Shadows. Elon Musk weighed in with the comment, "DEI kills art," prompting a response from executive producer Marc-Alexis Cote. Cote expressed his desire to respond to Musk but acknowledged that such an action would be futile. "By attacking someone like Elon… I will not convince people about our point of view as a team," Cote said. "I just hope and wish that people can keep an open mind about this and see the game for what it is. It's an Assassin's Creed game, and I believe the best one we've ever built," he added.
Set in 1579, Assassin's Creed Shadows begins during a pivotal period in Japanese history. The Azuchi-Momoyama period marked a transition from the Sengoku era's brutal wars to the more peaceful Edo period as samurai influence waned. Portuguese merchants and Jesuit missionaries became more prevalent, and players can expect encounters with real-life figures like Oda Nobunaga and ninja master Fujibayashi Nagato. Ubisoft has confirmed a non-linear campaign focused on eliminating targets, with the ability to take them out in any order. Some targets will be encountered during exploration, while others will require infiltration missions.
Most quests can be completed as either Yasuke or Naoe, though each character has unique missions. Naoe excels in stealth, using her ninja skills to infiltrate enemy strongholds, while Yasuke's larger build and heavy armor make him better suited for ambushes. The game features a new global illumination system affecting enemy vision, allowing players to hide in darkness and manipulate light sources. Additional stealth options include knocking out foes instead of killing them and using Eagle Vision to spot enemies through walls.
Naoe's grappling hook allows for quick escapes and ambushes, while Yasuke's combat emphasizes dodging and positioning. Players will have access to a variety of weapons, including katanas, spears, shurikens, and more exotic options like the kanabo war club and kusarigama. Enemy armor can be broken, and every prop in the game can be damaged. Yasuke can also use modern weaponry like rifles, each with its own skill-tree.
Assassin's Creed Shadows features a seasonal system cycling through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, influenced by campaign progress. Each season offers unique gameplay features, with spring and summer providing more hiding spots and winter introducing environmental challenges. The map size is comparable to ancient Egypt in Origins, replicating the central region of Japan. Synchronization points highlight points of interest without revealing icons on the map, aiming for a more organic exploration experience.
Several editions of Assassin's Creed Shadows are available for preorder, each including bonus in-game content. The collector's edition offers additional DLC, a steelbook cover, a hardcover art book, and a statue of Yasuke and Naoe. For more details, refer to GameSpot's preorder guide.
