Assassin's Creed Shadows stands out as an action RPG that transports players to the turbulent era of Feudal Japan, where historical events intertwine with the ongoing conflict between Assassins and Templars. Released in 2025, this title lets you control two distinct protagonists, each bringing unique skills to a vast open world filled with exploration, combat, and stealth challenges. With its blend of narrative depth and mechanical variety, it appeals to fans of role-playing games who enjoy switching between agile infiltration and brute-force confrontations.
Gameplay
The core experience revolves around navigating an open world roughly the size of Assassin's Creed Origins, complete with dynamic seasons that alter environmental interactions, such as frozen ponds limiting hiding spots in winter. You switch between Naoe, a nimble kunoichi focused on stealth, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai geared toward direct combat. Naoe's toolkit includes hiding in shadows for temporary invisibility, crawling prone through tight spaces, and using a grappling hook for swift traversal. She wields weapons like shurikens to extinguish lights or distract foes, emphasizing evasion and precision strikes.
Yasuke, by contrast, relies on strength with tools like the kanabo war club or naginata, allowing him to parry attacks, charge through enemies, and endure more damage thanks to a larger health pool. Both characters develop through skill trees that enhance weapon proficiency, from katanas to matchlock rifles. Missions encourage non-linear approaches, where you recruit scouts for clues or use Eagle Vision to scan for threats. Parkour remains central, with Naoe climbing structures fluidly, while breakable objects and interactive elements add layers to exploration.
Game Modes
This game operates strictly in single-player mode, without multiplayer components. The campaign unfolds through a series of interconnected missions that let you choose your protagonist based on the situation, whether sneaking into fortified castles or engaging in open battles. Progression ties into the story, with side quests and world events providing additional challenges that tie back to the main narrative.
World and Factions
Set during the Sengoku period, the world features factions like the Assassin Brotherhood, which champions liberty, and the Templar Order, aiming for control through manipulation. Other groups include the Shinbakufu under Oda Nobunaga's influence and the Kakushiba ikki, a league formed by the protagonists to counter threats. Outlaw bands like the Sanzoku Ippa control regions such as Awaji Island, creating opportunities for alliances or conflicts that shape your journey.
Seasons cycle naturally, affecting visibility and movement, while the environment supports varied tactics, from submerging in water with a bamboo reed to observing targets from vantage points for quick intel.
Is It Worth Playing?
With over five million players reached by mid-2025 and strong sales performance, including topping charts in the US and Europe upon release, Assassin's Creed Shadows has maintained relevance into 2026 through updates like crossover content and the Claws of Awaji DLC, which added new abilities and a story campaign. Reception leans positive, with an 82 percent recommendation rate on OpenCritic and a Famitsu score of 36 out of 40, highlighting strengths in character development, exploration, and refined mechanics, though some note repetitive quests and story inconsistencies.
If you prefer RPGs with dual-character systems and a mix of stealth and combat in a historical setting, this one delivers a solid experience, especially for those patient with its occasional rough edges in narrative pacing. It suits solo players seeking a lengthy adventure with meaningful progression, making it a worthwhile pick for series veterans or newcomers drawn to Feudal Japan themes.