From the team at Ubisoft Québec, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows plunges players into 16th-century Japan, set against the turbulent backdrop of the late Sengoku era. Once again, the storyline had me rooting for the game’s two protagonists. Available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, the game definitively ushers the franchise into the new generation of consoles. Here are my impressions!
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows details
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
Reviewed on: PlayStation 5
Developer: Ubisoft Québec
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action/Adventure
Mode: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Changing times in Japan
From the outset, players are introduced to the two protagonists of the game. Yasuke is a towering figure of African descent who has found himself in Japan. The locals even nickname him “the giant” because he is much larger than the local men. His combat skills have earned him training worthy of the title, and he becomes a renowned samurai. However, events will lead him on a more personal quest. He will meet Naoe, and the two will unite against all odds. Initially, they are not on the same side, but they realize that in the end, they adhere to a common line of thought.
For her part, Naoe is a young shinobi warrior who grew up in the Iga region. When tragedy strikes, she learns of the Assassin’s creed. Her destiny will lead her to follow this path, thanks in part to the retractable blade she inherits. In the game, it is she who most embodies the spirit of Assassin’s Creed. However, this doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of both characters, as each has his or her own talents. Depending on the battle at hand and the type of adversary to be faced, it’s up to players to choose how to approach it. Frontally with Yasuke, or more discreetly in the shadows with Naoe.
Two heroes with different behaviour
The story unfolds slowly. After ten hours or so, players finally have access to both heroes, who will then each have their own quests to follow. Since Naoe is the one who best represents the spirit of the franchise, I liked starting with her. It allowed me to open up the map and get back up to speed with the traditional assassin mechanics. For his part, Yasuke is slower and much less agile. However, his direct hits are very hard-hitting and he can easily shatter a door, for example. Our heroes fight with katana, tanto or kusarigama. Learning to fight is well done, and combined with the skills of each, the encounters are interesting to experiment with.
The places to explore vary from fortified towns, busy ports, peaceful shrines where you can take a moment to pray and the rural landscapes of the surrounding regions. I quickly got used to exploring with Naoe, as she’s the one who can reach the top of the towers to synchronize places of interest. On my way to a new location with Yasuke, he would gently remind me that “Naoe can climb to the top of the tower when she comes”. Since that’s what makes teleportation possible, she’ll save you the trouble of going twice by the longer route. I also liked the idea of launching scouts to spot a mission target before we get there.
The most beautiful Assassin’s Creed game I’ve seen yet
In terms of production, I like what I see. As Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is only available on recent-generation consoles, I think this has enabled the developers to offer the most visually stunning game in the franchise. Played on PlayStation 5, the animations are just right and the scenery is breathtaking. In terms of detail, there may still be a few hiccups, but nothing notable. On a few occasions, for example, I had to go back and forth because the person I was supposed to talk to wouldn’t engage.
The traditional Japanese-inspired music is superb, enveloping the gameplay sequences perfectly. Add the high-quality voice acting and the detailed sound effects, and you’ve got a game that’s well worth playing.
Several activities complete the player’s adventure
In addition to the main storyline, players have several items to collect, contracts to fulfill and numerous challenges to complete. This time, there’s even icons dedicated to Animus-induced rifts, which I found interesting to integrate, at last! The interface is easy to understand. You can switch from one character to another on the same page, whether you’re managing equipment or allocating skill points. I also really like the quest table, which is reminiscent of what we saw in Assassin’s Creed: Mirage.
If you still haven’t had enough after everything the base game has to offer, Ubisoft has already planned additional content via the “Claws of Awaji” expansion. Players will be able to explore new locations in a treasure hunt. Naoe will have access to a new weapon, and both protagonists will be able to unlock unique equipment and skills. This expansion is scheduled for release later this year.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Well-developed storyline. | Discussions that didn’t trigger on a few occasions. |
| A major graphical milestone has been reached. | At night, sometimes it was hard to see well. |
| The mission interface introduced with Mirage is well implemented for Shadows. | Minor graphic problems in my pre-launch version. |
| The main hub gives access to all modern Assassin’s Creed games since Origins, if you already own them. |
Overall assessment of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Gameplay: 4.25/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 4.25/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.5/5 (90 %)
Purchase Assassin’s Creed: Shadows on BestBuy.ca.
