Assassin’s Creed Shadows hands-on preview

Ubisoft recently invited me to an exclusive hands-on preview of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. And I couldn’t wait to dive in. This latest entry in the long-running franchise is set during the late Sengoku period in Feudal Japan—a setting fans, including myself, have been clamoring for. During my preview, I explored the game’s story-driven prologue and ventured into an open-world section later in the game. Both offered an early look into the game’s two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and the new gameplay systems redefining exploration and combat.

What stood out to me during this preview wasn’t just the innovative mechanics or the rich historical setting, but how everything felt fresh yet true to the heart of Assassin’s Creed. From Yasuke’s visceral combat style to Naoe’s stealthy finesse, the gameplay felt purposeful and engaging. The freedom in exploration stood out, making each discovery feel meaningful.

With Assassin’s Creed Shadows releasing on March 20^th, 2025, this preview left me eager to share what makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows a bold step forward for the series.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac, and Amazon Luna
Developer(s): Ubisoft Quebec
Publisher(s): Ubisoft
Genre: Action role-playing
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ world in turmoil

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings you to Feudal Japan in 1579, a period of chaos and transformation. The late Sengoku period was marked by power-hungry warlords fighting for control. With no central shogunate, battles for unification and trade supremacy consumed the land. Yet, alongside the conflict, Japan’s artistry and culture flourished, creating a compelling contrast between beauty and turmoil.

At the heart of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ story are Naoe and Yasuke, the game’s protagonists. I liked how the prologue introduced both characters through key moments that explored their motivations and backstories. For Naoe, her dedication to protecting her homeland was evident in a mission that showcased her resourcefulness and loyalty to her people. Yasuke’s introduction, on the other hand, highlighted his internal conflict as he sought redemption for past actions, revealing his complexity. These moments helped me connect with them on an emotional level. Naoe’s unwavering commitment to her homeland contrasts with Yasuke’s struggle for personal redemption, but their shared vision of peace ultimately unites them and drives their journey forward.

The story weaves together Naoe’s and Yasuke’s personal challenges and the broader political conflicts of Feudal Japan. As Naoe and Yasuke face alliances, betrayals, and secrets, their journey impacts the Sengoku period’s larger conflicts. Their intertwined challenges create a narrative filled with personal growth and impactful moments.

Dual-protagonist gameplay and exploration

Assassin’s Creed Shadows builds on its core gameplay while introducing new mechanics that give you more freedom. At its heart is the dual-protagonist system, offering two distinct playstyles through Naoe and Yasuke. Naoe, a skilled shinobi, specializes in stealth and agility. She uses her ninja tools and parkour abilities to stay hidden and infiltrate enemy territories undetected. Yasuke, a powerful warrior, is her opposite. His strength and resilience make him a force in combat, capable of breaking armour, overwhelming enemies, and handling significant damage with a more aggressive approach.

During my preview, I found switching between Naoe and Yasuke to be seamless and meaningful. While playing as Yasuke, I became wanted in a region, because of a ruckus I caused with some of the locals, making moving around nearly impossible. Switching to Naoe got rid of the wanted sign on my back and allowed me to complete the mission without detection, showcasing the flexibility this system offers.

Building on the dynamic dual-protagonist system, Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces the objective board system to redefine how you approach exploration. Instead of relying on direct map markers, you gather clues and make deductions to track objectives. This approach makes each mission feel more personal and satisfying. Vantage points return, revealing nearby areas of interest. The new observe mechanic lets you scout for resources, treasures, and objectives, giving you more control over exploration.

Naoe and Yasuke’s customizable hideout introduces strategic options. By recruiting spies and scouts, you expand your network, gain valuable intelligence, and unlock tactical support during missions. These team-based mechanics, combined with the open-world exploration, create endless opportunities for experimentation and creativity. Shadows combines familiar mechanics with new ideas, offering new ways to approach stealth, combat, and exploration.

Early impression on Assassin’s Creed Shadows

My hands-on time with Assassin’s Creed Shadows left me impressed by how it blends familiar gameplay mechanics with new, innovative ideas. The late Sengoku period provides a rich backdrop that feels alive, from the intricate detail in village architecture to the dynamic weather changes that affect gameplay subtly yet meaningfully.

Naoe and Yasuke’s dual-protagonist system was a highlight, offering gameplay that adapted seamlessly to the challenges I faced. Switching from Yasuke’s direct combat to Naoe’s stealth felt natural and added variety, allowing me to experiment with different strategies. Naoe’s stealthy abilities allowed me to infiltrate a heavily guarded enemy camp undetected, using her agility to climb and evade patrols. In contrast, Yasuke’s brute strength made him ideal for clearing out larger enemy groups, breaking through armour and overwhelming enemies.

The objective board system redefined exploration for me. Instead of following markers, piecing together clues made every discovery feel earned. Whether I was tracking a hidden treasure or scouting enemy camps, this approach made exploration more engaging. Shadows’ story, with its themes of loyalty, redemption, and unity, felt emotionally grounded. Naoe and Yasuke’s personal struggles, woven into the broader political turmoil, pulled me in, making their journey feel meaningful.

With its March 20^th release on the horizon, Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems like it will offer a fresh and immersive chapter for fans and newcomers alike. Look for my full review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows leading up to launch. I’d love to hear what you think! What excites you most about stepping into Feudal Japan? Are you more drawn to Naoe’s stealth or Yasuke’s combat? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Pre-order Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 today from Best Buy!