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Yes. Ubisoft says the Japan-market version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows differs from North American and European versions to comply with the reviewing body’s rules. The Japanese edition removes the dismemberment toggle, prevents enemy decapitation and limb dismemberment during play, changes depictions of dismemberment, and alters some Japanese voice expressions. Ubisoft’s notice describes its own compliance rationale; it is not a detailed, independently published CERO order.
What changed in the Japanese version?
Ubisoft Japan’s January 24, 2025 notice says the Japan-market edition, identified as CERO Z, differs from the North American and European versions in several ways:
- No dismemberment toggle: The Japanese settings menu does not offer an option to turn dismemberment on or off.
- No enemy decapitation or limb severing during play: Players cannot decapitate enemies or sever their limbs in the Japanese version.
- Changed depictions of dismemberment: Ubisoft says these depictions were changed, but its notice does not specify the visual treatment.
- Some Japanese voice expressions changed: Ubisoft says some expressions heard in the North American and European versions differ in the Japanese version, but it does not identify the lines.
These are specific edits; Ubisoft’s notice does not say that all violence was removed. Ubisoft Japan’s announcement is the primary source for the changes and the publisher’s stated reason.
Did CERO order the edits?
Ubisoft says it made the changes so the domestic release would conform to the reviewing institution’s rules. The announcement does not provide a separately published CERO decision detailing the edits, nor does it quote a CERO official. The careful conclusion is that Ubisoft announced Japan-specific changes for compliance with the rating body’s rules—not that the available notice documents an individual CERO censorship order.
#1 Best Overall
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
The notice labels the Japanese edition CERO Z. Ubisoft’s international product page lists “Blood and Gore” and “Intense Violence” among its content descriptors, but those international descriptors do not establish the Japanese edition’s equivalent descriptors. See Ubisoft’s product page.
How does it compare with the North American and European versions?
Ubisoft confirms the Japanese edition differs from the North American and European versions, but does not publish a complete platform-by-platform or SKU-by-SKU comparison. The announcement supports this summary:
Rank #2
- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
- MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPON - Travel the world and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions
- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
| Feature | Japan-market version | North American and European versions |
|---|---|---|
| Dismemberment setting | No on/off toggle, according to Ubisoft Japan’s January 24, 2025 notice. | The notice identifies the toggle as a difference but does not separately document its exact availability by platform or SKU. |
| Enemy decapitation and limb dismemberment during play | Unavailable, according to Ubisoft Japan’s January 24, 2025 notice. | The notice says these differences apply relative to the North American and European versions but does not provide a platform-by-platform breakdown. |
| Depictions of dismemberment | Changed; the notice does not describe the exact visual treatment. | The notice identifies a difference but does not detail the depictions. |
| Japanese voice expressions | Some expressions changed; the notice does not list them. | Some expressions differ from those in the Japanese version; no line-by-line list is provided. |
If you are choosing a copy, check the region and platform on the specific listing rather than assuming that an international and Japan-market edition have identical content. The available announcement does not establish a full matrix of every regional release and platform.
What is the game’s historical framing?
The content edits are separate from the game’s historical framing. In a July 23, 2024 message to the Japanese community, the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Development Team described the game as historical fiction, not a factual account of history or historical figures. The team said it consulted external consultants, historians, researchers, and Ubisoft Japan, while creative decisions remained with the creative teams. It wrote: “Assassin’s Creed Shadows is first and foremost, designed to be an entertaining video game that tells a compelling, historical fiction set in Feudal Japan.” Read the development team’s statement.
Rank #3
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
Release details
Ubisoft lists March 20, 2025 as the release date, Ubisoft as publisher, and Ubisoft Quebec as developer. Its product page lists PC, PS5, Xbox, and Steam among the platforms. These are product-page details and do not constitute a regional edition or platform comparison.
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