You’ve likely come across the concept of ‘kintsugi,’ the ancient Japanese art that’s part philosophy, part craft, meaning ‘golden repair.’ It involves piecing together broken ceramics using lacquer mixed with precious metals like powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The philosophy behind kintsugi is about highlighting and celebrating the cracks, turning damage into something beautiful, and recognizing the history of the item.
Think of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as Ubisoft’s version of kintsugi applied to their long-running franchise. The series’ familiar issues—like a cluttered UI, overwhelming map icons, awkward parkour, and less-than-smooth combat—are all still there. But rather than trying to conceal these blemishes, Ubisoft seems to embrace them. Just when the game seems to stumble, it dazzles with breathtaking moments. For each mundane “follow this guy” mission, you’re rewarded with a spectacular set-piece, topping anything you’ve seen before in the series. It’s like every flaw is gilded with a new layer of brilliance.
One perk of the post-reboot Assassin’s Creed era (from Origins onward) is the satisfying assassination lists—a board packed with targets to eliminate. The series’ intricate lore traditionally revolves around hunting down shadowy cabals, and Shadows’ setting in Japan’s Sengoku period is no exception. This time, though, you’re faced with layer upon layer of villainous organizations to dismantle and, of course, destroy.
And that’s the core of the open world’s appeal; it’s what makes those lengthy horseback journeys across the game’s vast prefectures worthwhile. Along with the central quest—an unsurprising tale of revenge against 13 enemies—the game heaps side objectives upon you. Hunt them down and eliminate them. It’s compelling, despite the formulaic setup. Each group of notorious ronin or renegade shinobi presents a fresh challenge, requiring clever strategies unique to their hideouts. Although it boils down to “find ‘em, kill ‘em,” it’s far more engaging than the tedious tailing missions of earlier games.
Ubisoft understands that the true allure of Shadows lies in the violence. With two playable characters, the nimble Naoe and the burly Yasuke, they play to the game’s strengths. Combat stays reminiscent of previous titles from Origins onward—adequate but unremarkable. What keeps it interesting is how these elements link together; whether you’re drawn to stealth and precise kunai shots or prefer storming in headfirst with Yasuke’s brute force, the game accommodates your style.
Even if the AI occasionally flounders or the physics sometimes glitch, the thrill of outmaneuvering a giant ronin and dispatching him with a flawless strike is undeniable. The satisfaction of watching an enemy’s defenses crumble under your attacks while their hats humorously fly off adds a delightful touch, blending gravitas with levity in a truly glorious fashion.
The narrative itself stands strong. I recommend trying the Immersive Mode with subtitles over the English voice-over, which can be a bit off-kilter. However, the Japanese/Portuguese mix is excellent and reminds me of works like Shogun. Ubisoft’s vision shines through in the cinematics, with early scenes that make a stunning addition to the series’ best moments. Special mention goes to the band TEKE TEKE, whose music imbues some key scenes with distinct Tarantino-esque flair.
Yet, the story takes a while to hit its stride. Around the 12-hour mark, after an extensive prologue filled with exposition, the game truly opens up. By this point, you’ve got a handle on Naoe’s skills and are starting to understand Yasuke’s.
The way Shadows encourages you to switch between characters is a masterclass in game pacing. Whether you’re advancing the story or revealing the map, opportunities to alternate between characters keep you engaged. Personally, my playthrough saw a 70/30 split favoring Naoe due to my penchant for stealth. But every time I took control of Yasuke, I enjoyed the moment, gearing him up from the spoils collected with Naoe and bulldozing through whichever unlucky foes came my way.
Shadows even plays with the series’ staple missions, breaking down the collectible quests before reconstructing them. While gathering origami cranes might seem familiar, the narrative twist they take is genuinely unexpected and earns Ubisoft some serious kudos.
The game’s base-building element is optional, but participating brings substantial rewards. Beyond uncovering story clues and character insights, enhancing your hideout lets you amass allies, upgrade weapons, acquire better healing items, earn shop discounts, and more. The resources needed for these improvements accumulate naturally as you explore, reminiscent of Brotherhood’s standout mechanics.
Shadows also mandates moments of reflection. Unlocking additional skill layers necessitates temple visits and meditative practices, even if these QTE-style tasks feel repetitive. Despite this, they serve a purpose. After a hectic battle, it’s refreshing to take in serene surroundings, enjoying the game’s authentic representation of Japan’s landscapes.
Graphically, Shadows is a feast for the eyes. Playing on a PS5 Pro in Quality mode, I found myself regularly pausing to admire the beautiful in-game seasons, with autumn standing out for its vivid hues. Ubisoft delivers a stunning love letter to Japan’s natural splendor, presenting perhaps the most captivating setting in the series yet.
While the seasons don’t drastically alter gameplay—despite Ubisoft’s marketing claims—they provide aesthetic diversity. Occasionally slipping down a snowy mountain was annoying, but overall, the change in scenery was appreciated.
The game truly embodies the essence of ‘kintsugi’ and ‘wabi-sabi,’ principles that embrace imperfection and transient beauty. Shadows acknowledges its genre’s quirks, not aiming to repair so much as reinvent. While flaws remain, Ubisoft has polished these into charming aspects of the game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, though imperfect, stands as a remarkably fun and engaging experience, melding modern roguelike elements into its design. It encourages exploration with satisfying rewards, making it feel like one of the most cohesive entries in the franchise. Its capacity to entertain while making flaws feel like opportunities is high praise—turning each misstep into something special.
Set to release on March 20, 2025, for Xbox Series, PS5, and PC, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faced a brief delay earlier in the year but promises to deliver a memorable gaming masterpiece.
