February 10, 2025, 4:18 pm | Read time: 6 minutes

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is one of the most talked about games of the year, even before its release. TECHBOOK editor Marlene Polywka was able to test the title in advance.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” with a Long-Awaited Setting

Regardless, the action-adventure game boasts a significant advantage that was apparent even before gameplay: its setting. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in Japan in the year 1579. Especially fans of the series’ earlier stealth-focused entries have long desired this setting. Now, they get it in the form of a story set in the Sengoku period.

During the four hours of playtime with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you can already get an idea of its potential. The part of the game world that I have already seen is beautiful. But that was never a question for me: Ubisoft can create beautiful worlds. However, many, including myself, are curious about how this world will be populated.

The provisional answer to this is less than before. That’s a good thing and is in line with what fans have wanted in recent years. Games such as Odyssey, released in 2018, and Valhalla, released in 2020, have been repeatedly accused of being too full and not very meaningful. Ubisoft has obviously taken this to heart. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players won’t find the map overloaded with icons and loot. This gives the game world more space and the few interspersed quests I encountered more meaning.

Two Fundamentally Different Characters

Ubisoft has also taken a new approach to gameplay. With Naoe and Yasuke, two characters are available for the first time since Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, the two play very differently. Naoe is a female shinobi, which will appeal to stealth fans in particular. Yasuke, on the other hand, is an African samurai who focuses primarily on strength and fighting skills that are in line with his role. During the game, it is possible to react to the situation and switch back and forth between the two.

For example, Naoe’s climbing skills are needed to reach one or two fast travel points. However, special quest mechanics are explicitly aimed at samurai. Most of the time, however, I was able to simply choose the character whose play style I was more in the mood for at the time and which suited me personally better.

Both characters have their own introductory prologue, which I was able to experience during my play date. Ubisoft also promises an in-depth background story for both, which has already been hinted at in the sequences shown. Above all, Naoe’s search for an ominous box leads directly into the battle between Assassins and Templars. This is a conflict that many fans of the series have missed out on, especially in the more recent installments of the series.

The Combat System in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”

As already mentioned, Naoe and Yasuke play completely differently. While Naoe acts quietly, Yasuke relies on his fighting skills. This is also reflected in the level system, which allows the two characters to be leveled individually.

The shinobi uses katana, kusarigama – a sickle weapon on a chain – fighting knives called tantou and the well-known hidden blade of the assassins. There are also tools, such as throwing stars and smoke bombs, which can tactically eliminate enemies from a distance. Most important, however, seems to be her grappling hook, which Naoe can use to climb efficiently in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yasuke, on the other hand, fights with a longsword, the pole weapon naginata, and a kanabou mace. The bow and rifle are available as ranged weapons. The strong samurai can also break through doors, for example, and is generally more stable than the shinobi.

Personally, I really liked both characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows when I played them, but I mainly played Naoe. The shinobi has a clear advantage in mobility, thanks to her grappling hook. In addition, her stealthy approach is more representative of the core of the series. I found Yasuke a more tangible and sometimes more entertaining character.

On a positive note, I would also like to emphasize the obviously improved enemy AI. The enemy NPCs are smarter than before and react appropriately to the player’s actions. There is also a reputation system if Naoe or Yasuke breaks the law while under observation. The negative points only apply to the character who has collected them. So you can simply sit them out by changing character.

“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” Brings Some New Elements

In addition to these innovations in the character system, Shadows also comes with dynamic seasons. These not only have a visual impact on the game world but also on the gameplay. During my play session, I wasn’t able to get my own impression of a specific change. However, I am already looking forward to running on frozen lakes.

The base building feature also returns, but this time with more design options than in Valhalla. Whereas previously, it was only possible to occupy fixed slots with resources earned, in Shadows, you can place buildings freely. Similar to Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, you can also collect useful allies who are waiting on call at the base.

More on the topic

Strategic Realignment Ubisoft Responds to Player Criticism and Postpones “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” Again

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There is Definitely Potential

After four hours of gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows definitely leaves me with a promising impression. The Japanese setting is a real highlight, as is the interaction between Naoe and Yasuke. I’m particularly curious to see exactly how the base building will be designed and how it will affect the game.

There also seems to be a return to stealth elements and an emptier game world – at least as far as I can tell after playing the game. My sole concern is that Ubisoft may be indulging in excessive fan service. The big test at release will have to show that.