Assassin's Creed: Shadows - Review & Impressions

Assassin's Creed: Shadows was released on March 20, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. On Metacritic, it has a critic score around 81, meaning “generally favorable reviews.” User scores are more mixed (≈ 6.2 / 10) suggesting strong positive feedback from many, but also notable complaints.

What Works Well in Shadows

1. Dual Protagonists with Complementary Styles

The two main characters-Naoe, a shinobi/stealth specialist, and Yasuke, a samurai brute-offer contrasting playstyles. Players can switch between them, and missions can often be approached in different ways depending on who you use. This gives a refreshing variety compared to single-protagonist AC entries.

2. Beautiful, Lively Feudal Japan Setting

The environments-from Kyoto and Osaka to countryside temples, forests, mountain passes-are richly detailed. Seasons and weather effects (spring blossoms, autumn leaves, snow) enhance immersion. Many reviews praise how the world feels alive.

3. Stealth Improvements

For fans of classic AC stealth, Shadows delivers satisfying stealth mechanics. Naoe has tools (grappling, hiding in tall grass, vertical traversal) that make sneaking in more engaging. The game leans more toward moment-to-moment tactical stealth, rather than social concealment in crowds.

4. Combat Is Solid

Yasuke's playstyle contrasts nicely with Naoe's. Yasuke excels in direct confrontations; Naoe focuses on speed and stealth. The combat feels tight when using both, especially with upgraded gear and skills. Many critics say Shadows has some of the best combat in the series lately.

5. Strong Art, Sound, and Atmosphere

Aesthetic details, music, ambient sounds, voice acting in many parts, historical architecture, seasonal changes, and environmental storytelling are praised. The atmosphere helps elevate the weaker parts of the narrative.

What Falls Short / Criticisms

1. Repetitive Mission Structure

Some of the side missions, collectibles, and quests follow similar patterns - go to region, infiltrate, kill target, loot. Over time this becomes predictable.

2. Story & Narrative Pacing Issues

The core story has strong moments (especially early and late), but many find the mid-game drags, with narrative threads that are less compelling. The dual protagonist arcs sometimes feel disconnected.

3. Traversal & Mechanics Occasionally Clunky

While stealth is largely improved, some parkour or movement moments, particularly for Yasuke in tight or vertical terrain, are less fluid. Also, switching between characters could be smoother.

4. RPG Elements Mixed Reception

Some players like the upgrade trees, gear customization, and leveling; others feel those elements are overused or weaken the Assassin's Creed identity when the game leans too heavily into RPG-style grinding.

5. Weak Voice Acting & English Dub

A few critics point to subpar English voice acting and dialogue delivery in parts, which sometimes lessen the emotional impact.

Comparison vs Previous AC Titles

Shadows is often seen as a better balance between Origins / Odyssey / Valhalla's RPG ambitions and the stealth roots of earlier Assassin's Creed games.

In terms of setting and atmosphere, many fans say it outshines Mirage and is one of the stronger Japan settings in recent AC games.

It also seems to have had a strong commercial launch. Ubisoft has reported high user engagement, and Shadows had one of the best launches among AC RPG-era titles.

Recent Updates & DLC (“Claws of Awaji”)

There's a new expansion Claws of Awaji, launching September 16, 2025, adding 10+ hours of content. It aims to wrap up storylines left open in the base game, particularly Naoe's arc and other loose ends.

A major patch (1.1.1) has made the Bo staff weapon (previously exclusive to the DLC) available to everyone for free. Also the level cap increased, gear quality improved, more hideout upgrades, and new sanctuary rewards.

Final Verdict

Assassin's Creed: Shadows is one of the strongest recent entries in the franchise. It manages to balance stealth and open combat well, offers a stunning and immersive Japan setting, and gives players meaningful variety via its dual protagonists. It isn't perfect - the story pacing and mission variety are weaker in portions, mechanics sometimes feel uneven, and the RPG grind may not appeal to everyone - but overall it delivers enough new or refined features that most fans of the series will find plenty to love.

Score (subjectively)

For fans of stealth & historical settings: 9/10

For players less interested in grindy RPG elements: 7/10