Assassin's Creed Shadows: First Look at the Gameplay

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is shaping up to be a standout entry in the long-running series. It blends the expansive openness of games like Odyssey and Valhalla with the dense, vertical cities reminiscent of the classic Assassin’s Creed entries. 

Whether you prefer sneaking past enemies or taking them head-on, Shadows has you covered. Its historical depth, combined with the franchise’s signature sci-fi twist, ensures a well-rounded experience for fans of both storytelling and gameplay.

Set in 16th-century Japan, Shadows follows the intertwined stories of two protagonists:

• Yasuke, is a former slave turned samurai under the infamous warlord Oda Nobunaga.
• Naoe, a shinobi trained to protect her village from Nobunaga’s forces.

Their paths cross unexpectedly, with the narrative exploring the chaos of Nobunaga’s unification efforts, foreign interference, and the personal cost of war. 

The demo showcased moments of drama, betrayal, and even encounters with shrine maiden-turned-assassins, grounding the story in a mix of historical realism and thrilling fiction.

The demo showcased moments of drama, betrayal, and even encounters with shrine maiden-turned-assassins, grounding the story in a mix of historical realism and thrilling fiction. 

Shadows embraces player choice, offering vastly different playstyles through its protagonists.

Stealth with Naoe:
 Naoe’s missions emphasize agility and precision. With tools like grappling hooks, smoke bombs, and parkour skills, she moves seamlessly through Shadows’ beautifully designed environments. Whether scaling walls or silently incapacitating guards, her gameplay feels fluid and satisfying.

Combat with Yasuke:
 Yasuke’s heavy armor and brute strength make him a force to be reckoned with. Armed with swords, clubs, and even an early musket, he’s built for confrontation. His special skills, such as crowd-clearing attacks, add variety to combat.

The beauty lies in how missions are designed to accommodate both approaches. A stealthy route might be safer, but a well-timed brawl can be just as effective.

Ubisoft has stepped up its open-world design with Shadows. The game dials back on overwhelming map icons and instead encourages organic exploration. Players can turn off objectives and rely on curiosity to navigate, making discoveries feel meaningful.

Dynamic Investigations: Gather intel by recruiting scouts, eavesdropping, or piecing clues together yourself. You’re free to choose your approach.
Immersive Visuals: From sketching herons by the river to watching raindrops fall through forest canopies, Shadows’ world is alive with detail and wonder.

Shadows isn’t just a rehash of old ideas; it redefines what Assassin’s Creed can be. The freedom in gameplay, improved parkour mechanics, and a balance between stealth and combat make it feel fresh. It also tackles open-world fatigue by prioritizing quality over quantity, ensuring every activity and discovery feels rewarding.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Are you ready to dive into the shadows? Let us know which playstyle you’re most excited about.