Assassin’s Creed Codename Red is now Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a released game set in 16th-century Japan. Ubisoft announced the project in 2022, revealed its final name in 2024, and released it on March 20, 2025. It stars Naoe, an Iga shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, with distinct stealth and combat approaches.
What happened to Assassin’s Creed Codename Red?
Codename Red was the working title for the Assassin’s Creed game that Ubisoft ultimately released as Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft announced the project on September 10, 2022, describing it as an open-world RPG set in feudal Japan and developed by Ubisoft Quebec. The company revealed the Shadows title on May 15, 2024. Ubisoft’s 2022 announcement also placed Red and another project, Codename Hexe, in the planned Codename Infinity hub; that was development context at the time, not a statement of how the released game must be delivered.
Ubisoft’s initial Shadows announcement named November 15, 2024 as the launch date, but that target was superseded. The Ubisoft Store’s Standard Edition listing gives the actual release date as March 20, 2025. Ubisoft’s current game page presents the title as Shadows, not as a separate Codename Red release.
What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows about?
The game is set in late-Sengoku, 16th-century Japan and follows two protagonists whose backgrounds and approaches to conflict differ. Naoe is a shinobi Assassin from Iga Province; Yasuke is based on the historical African samurai. Ubisoft’s game overview frames their contrasting play styles as a central feature.
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- 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.
How do Naoe and Yasuke play differently?
| Protagonist | Approach | Tools and strengths described by Ubisoft | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naoe | Stealth, infiltration, and movement | Kunai, shuriken, smoke bombs, a grappling hook, parkour, and the hidden blade | Players who prefer avoiding detection, reaching positions through movement, and using tools to create openings |
| Yasuke | More direct samurai combat | Samurai weapons and direct combat options | Players who want to confront enemies more openly |
That contrast is a practical way to think about choosing a character for a situation: stealth and mobility favor Naoe’s toolkit, while a direct fight suits Yasuke’s style. Ubisoft describes both characters as playable, but the overview does not establish that every mission can be approached interchangeably.
How do seasons and weather affect the world?
Ubisoft says the world changes with distinct seasons, dynamic weather, environmental interaction, and destructible environments. These features can affect routes and concealment rather than serving only as visual changes. For example, Ubisoft has described frozen ponds as preventing underwater concealment, which can close off an approach that might work in other conditions. The precise effect depends on the situation; the example does not mean every weather change alters every mission. Details are on Ubisoft’s feature page.
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.
When did Shadows come out, and where can you play it?
The Standard Edition released on March 20, 2025, according to the Ubisoft Store listing. Ubisoft currently lists these platforms and Windows PC storefronts on its game page:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Amazon Luna
- Macs with Apple silicon
- Windows PC through Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store
Availability can vary by region and storefront, so check the relevant local listing before buying.
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.
Nintendo Switch 2 format and features
Ubisoft’s Switch 2 release article, dated December 2, 2025, describes the physical version as a game-key card: the card contains a digital key used to download the complete game. Ubisoft says the Switch 2 version targets 30 fps in docked and handheld modes, supports offline play after installation, and offers cross-progression through Ubisoft Connect. See Ubisoft’s Switch 2 launch article for those platform-specific details. The current game page lists the Claws of Awaji expansion as available; the 2025 launch article’s earlier forecast for that expansion is no longer a current availability statement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the latest on updates and support?
In March 2026, Ubisoft described Shadows as entering the final phase of content support, with smaller and less frequent updates planned. In June 2026, Ubisoft called that month’s release the game’s final update. The update included a story-capping arc and Domains, a challenge feature built around replay-oriented maps, changing modifiers, and rewards. These are Ubisoft’s stated plans and update description; they do not establish that servers have shut down or that no future change is possible. See Ubisoft’s March 2026 update and its June 2026 update.
How does Shadows fit into the Assassin’s Creed series?
Shadows is the series’ Japan-set entry that began as Codename Red, rather than a separate game still awaiting release. Ubisoft said in March 2026 that the Assassin’s Creed franchise had sold more than 230 million copies since its first release in 2007. That is a franchise-wide total, not sales for Shadows. Ubisoft’s franchise update provides the company’s figure.
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