Assassin’s Creed Shadows achieves an impressive 81/100 “Strong” rating on OpenCritic, marking a significant shift for the long-running franchise. The title balances the stealth-focused roots of earlier games with the RPG elements of recent entries, while offering a stunning recreation of Sengoku-era Japan through the eyes of dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.
Key Takeaways
- The game features dual protagonist gameplay with Naoe (shinobi) focused on stealth and Yasuke (samurai) excelling at combat
- At 40-50 hours, the main campaign offers improved pacing compared to the bloated Valhalla and Odyssey
- The revamped stealth mechanics are praised as best-in-class with environmental manipulation and seasonal changes affecting gameplay
- PS5 Pro owners enjoy significant visual upgrades with ray-traced global illumination dramatically improving lighting and foliage
- While the setting and gameplay shine, critics note some narrative inconsistencies and occasional repetitive mission design
A Strong Return to Form
Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a refreshing realignment for the franchise, according to IGN. With 141 critic reviews culminating in an 81/100 on OpenCritic, the game strikes a balance between the series’ action-RPG evolution and its stealth-focused origins. The main campaign clocks in at a more digestible 40-50 hours, notably shorter than Valhalla’s 60+ hour marathon and Odyssey’s extensive runtime.
The game’s refined core systems have received particular praise. Stealth mechanics feel more intuitive and rewarding, while the combat offers depth without overwhelming complexity. Mission structure has been streamlined to reduce the bloat that plagued recent entries, though some critics point to narrative inconsistencies and occasional repetitive elements as minor drawbacks.
Tale of Two Warriors: Dual Protagonists
One of Shadows’ most distinctive features is its dual protagonist system, offering players two completely different gameplay experiences. Naoe, the shinobi, excels at stealth with unique tools like a grappling hook, prone stealth positions, and techniques to manipulate light and shadow. Her assassination animations are fluid and guaranteed when executed correctly.
In contrast, Yasuke brings a combat-focused approach with specialized armor customization and parry-heavy tactics. His brute-force playstyle makes him ideal for direct confrontations, though less suitable for stealth missions. Players can switch between characters throughout most missions, providing tactical flexibility depending on the situation.
Critics have noted a slight narrative imbalance between the two characters, with Naoe receiving more story focus and mission presence than Yasuke. Still, both characters’ skills connect meaningfully to the historical backdrop of Sengoku-era Japan (1560-1582), adding authenticity to the gameplay experience.
Combat Evolution
Shadows introduces a color-coded parry system that adds depth to combat encounters. Players must respond differently to white (standard), blue (special), and red (unblockable) attacks. Yasuke can eventually deflect typically unblockable attacks with specific gear upgrades, making him especially formidable in battle.
The game features weapon-specific skill trees for historical Japanese weapons including:
- Katana – balanced all-purpose blade
- Kusarigama – chain-sickle with extended reach
- Kanabō – heavy club with devastating impact
- Various other period-appropriate weapons
Each weapon type comes with unique perks and animations, encouraging experimentation with different combat styles. The system successfully balances accessibility for newcomers with enough depth to reward skilled players, according to Game Rant.
Stealth Reinvented
Naoe’s stealth toolkit represents a return to form for the franchise with innovative additions. She can breathe underwater using bamboo reeds, hide in shadowy corners, and manipulate environmental elements to create distractions. The Screen Zone calls these systems “best-in-class” compared to recent franchise entries.
Dynamic weather adds another layer to stealth gameplay – rain masks footstep sounds, creating natural windows of opportunity for infiltration. Eagle Vision returns but with thoughtful limitations, no longer revealing enemies through walls, which encourages more careful planning.
Seasonal changes dramatically affect stealth options throughout the game. Spring provides tall grass for cover, while winter creates new traversal paths across frozen water. These environmental variations keep stealth encounters fresh and provide multiple approaches to objectives.
Visual Splendor and Technical Performance
On technical fronts, Assassin’s Creed Shadows truly shines on enhanced hardware. The PS5 Pro version features ray-traced global illumination (RTGI) even in performance mode, which Eurogamer describes as transformative for lighting quality and foliage detail compared to the “flat” visuals on base PS5.
The game’s dynamic seasonal system showcases impressive visual range, from lush spring foliage to stark winter landscapes. These aren’t merely aesthetic changes – they fundamentally alter how environments function and feel during exploration and missions.
Visual fidelity varies significantly between hardware configurations, with standard consoles delivering a solid but less impressive presentation compared to enhanced models. For players with access to PS5 Pro or high-end PCs, Shadows represents one of the most visually striking entries in the franchise to date.
Storytelling in Feudal Japan
Set during Japan’s tumultuous Sengoku period, the narrative weaves historical figures like Oda Nobunaga into its fictional Assassin-Templar conflict. The story begins as a revenge tale before expanding into broader conspiratorial elements familiar to franchise fans.
Fextralife awarded a perfect 10/10 for the setting while expressing some criticism for narrative elements. The personal character moments, such as a drinking game between Naoe and Yasuke, received particular praise for adding depth to the protagonists.
The story structure echoes elements from Assassin’s Creed Mirage while avoiding the excessive length that bogged down Valhalla. This more focused approach allows for better pacing and character development throughout the campaign.
Mission Structure and Open World
The 40-50 hour main campaign is supplemented by optional side content that provides additional leveling opportunities without feeling mandatory. This represents a more focused approach than Valhalla’s sprawling narrative, addressing a common criticism of recent entries.
Dynamic seasonal changes affect both gameplay options and visual presentation throughout the world. These variations add meaningful diversity to exploration and mission approaches, though some critics note repetition in enemy types and objectives.
The Gamer describes Shadows as a “feudal return to form” for the franchise, balancing open-world exploration with more structured mission design. The result is a game that feels expansive without becoming overwhelming or tedious.
Final Verdict: Is Shadows Worth Your Time?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers impressive strengths across several areas: expert stealth systems, a visually stunning world, refined combat, and an innovative dual protagonist system. These elements come together to create one of the most cohesive Assassin’s Creed experiences in recent memory.
The game isn’t without flaws – some narrative inconsistencies, occasional repetitive mission design, and character balance issues detract from the overall experience. However, these shortcomings are relatively minor compared to the game’s substantial achievements.
For fans who missed the stealth-focused roots of earlier titles, Shadows offers a welcome return to form while maintaining the depth and scope of modern entries. The shorter runtime and improved pacing address key criticisms of recent games, making this an excellent entry point for newcomers or lapsed fans.
Whether you’re drawn to the historical setting, the dual protagonist mechanic, or simply looking for a refined open-world action game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers a compelling experience worthy of its strong critical reception.
Sources
IGN – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review
Game Rant – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review
Fextralife – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review
The Screen Zone – Assassins Creed Shadows Game Review
Eurogamer – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Excels on PS5 Pro Tech Review
OpenCritic – Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The Gamer – Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review
