Assassin’s Creed is making its long-awaited journey to Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, offering players an immersive experience set in feudal Japan with a story centered on honor, justice, and the complex history of the era.(Assassins Creed Shadows)
Release Date and Platforms
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will officially release on November 15, 2024. Ubisoft+ Premium members can get early access starting on November 12. The game is available on PC, Mac, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, marking a shift towards current-gen consoles only.
Main Characters
The game introduces two protagonists: Yasuke, a historical samurai believed to have come from Mozambique, and Naoe, a fictional ninja skilled in stealth. Players will be able to switch between the two throughout the campaign. Yasuke is a warrior who engages in direct combat, while Naoe relies on stealth and her ninja abilities to take down enemies silently.
Story and Setting
Set in 1579 Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows captures the pivotal moment in Japanese history during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. This period saw the transition from the chaos of the Sengoku era to a more peaceful time, as the influence of samurai began to fade. As players explore the historical provinces of Iga, Arima, and Omi, they will encounter notable historical figures, including Oda Nobunaga and Fujibayashi Nagato, a legendary ninja master. The non-linear storyline allows players to eliminate key targets in any order, adding flexibility to the gameplay.(Assassins Creed Shadows)
Assassins Creed Shadows Gameplay and Stealth
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces two distinct playstyles based on its protagonists. Naoe excels at stealth, using tools like grappling hooks to climb walls or escape enemies, while Yasuke is more combat-oriented, mastering weapons like katanas, spears, and even rifles. The game introduces a new light-and-shadow system that allows players to hide in darkness and manipulate light sources to stay undetected.(Assassins Creed Shadows)
Players will also have a variety of combat and stealth options, such as knocking out enemies instead of killing them or crawling to stay out of sight. The game emphasizes the differences in how Yasuke and Naoe approach combat and stealth, with unique skills and tools tailored to each character’s strengths.
Seasons and Map
One of the standout features in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is its dynamic season system, which cycles through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season affects gameplay in different ways. For instance, in spring and summer, players can hide in tall grass, while in winter, the environment becomes more challenging with fewer hiding spots and the introduction of environmental hazards like snow and ice.(Assassins Creed Shadows)
The map is large, similar in scale to the one from Assassin’s Creed Origins, and covers the central regions of Japan, including Iga and Arima. Ubisoft has designed the world to feel more organic, with fewer icons cluttering the map, encouraging players to explore naturally rather than following a set path.
In summary, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a fresh and exciting take on the series, blending history, action, and stealth in a beautifully realized version of feudal Japan. With its dynamic characters, flexible gameplay, and immersive setting, it’s poised to be a major hit for fans of the franchise.
