Assassin’s Creed Shadows is built around a Japan that Ubisoft says should change how players move, hide, and explore—not simply provide a scenic backdrop. Seasonal shifts and weather can affect stealth, while clue-led target discovery sits alongside optional navigation aids. Its two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, bring distinct approaches to that world: stealth and mobility or direct combat.
What is the setting of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Ubisoft sets the story in late Sengoku-period feudal Japan. Its world spans castle towns, ports, shrines, and pastoral landscapes, with changing seasons, unpredictable weather, and environments designed to react to play. These are Ubisoft’s descriptions of the game’s setting and design; they do not, on their own, establish historical accuracy or how players will experience the world.
The game follows two playable characters. Naoe is a shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, pursuing revenge. Yasuke is a samurai seeking purpose after his training. Ubisoft describes their playstyles as complementary, and says players can choose which character to use for quests. The official page calls Yasuke a “samurai of historical legend”; that is Ubisoft’s characterization of its story, not a resolution of historical debates about Yasuke.
How do Naoe and Yasuke play differently?
| Character | Approach | Tools and combat |
|---|---|---|
| Naoe | Stealth, mobility, and distraction | Grappling, parkour, distractions, and assassination |
| Yasuke | Direct confrontation | Attacks, blocks, parries, and weapons including katana, kanabo, bows, and naginata |
Ubisoft says each protagonist has separate progression, stats, skills, and gear. The distinction is about approach rather than a documented ranking: the official material does not say that one character is objectively better, or that every mission requires a particular choice.
#1 Best Overall
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- 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 does weather affect stealth?
Ubisoft’s technical design article gives specific examples of environmental conditions changing the options available to the player. A frozen pond removes the possibility of hiding underwater; rain can muffle footsteps; and darkness or bad weather can make enemies less likely to spot the player. These details describe Ubisoft’s intended gameplay systems, not an independent assessment of how consistently they work in play.
Weather is also presented as something players can anticipate and adapt to. Creative director Jonathan Dumont said: “We wanted a dynamic new feeling,” adding, “Both at the micro scale and the macro scale, so that when you see a storm coming, you can adapt how you play the game, knowing that it’s going to make you stealthier when it’s time to sneak into that castle.” Creative director Thierry Dansereau summarized the goal: “Our goal was to make a world that looked good, but also had an impact on gameplay.” Ubisoft also describes destructible environments and technical rendering work; its executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté said the aim was “to go from a beautiful postcard to a beautiful movie.” Those are developer accounts of intent, not independent proof of visual quality.
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.
How does exploration and target discovery work?
The Objective Board is the hub for objectives tied to local conflicts, character stories, and the main target-hunting narrative. Rather than relying only on a marker that immediately points to a target, players investigate opportunities by connecting clues to locations on the map. Scouts can reveal more precise objective locations, collect resources for the Hideout, and help reset provincial alerts.
Players who want more explicit direction can turn on Guided tracking, which Ubisoft describes as an accessibility option. Pathfinder adds a route overlay on the ground while riding, but only after a quest location has been revealed by a scout or a map marker has been set. Ubisoft notes that some steep mountains cannot be climbed, so following roads can be more efficient than attempting a direct-looking shortcut.
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![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
Exploration also includes temples, castles, hidden parkour trails, training grounds, character-specific activities, and animal painting. The systems offer a choice between piecing together leads and using clearer route guidance; neither is presented by Ubisoft as the single correct way to explore.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did Assassin’s Creed Shadows release, and where can you play it?
Ubisoft’s US Store lists March 20, 2025 as the release date and identifies Ubisoft Quebec as developer and Ubisoft as publisher. Ubisoft’s current game page lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Windows PC, Apple silicon Mac, Ubisoft+, and Amazon Luna. Platform and service availability can vary by region and change over time, so check the relevant current store listing.
Rank #4
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
The Switch 2 edition launched December 2, 2025. Ubisoft says it uses a game-key card: the physical card provides a key to download the complete game. The company also states that this version targets 30 fps in docked and handheld modes and supports cross-progression through Ubisoft Connect. These specifications apply to the Switch 2 version, not every platform. Ubisoft’s US PC listing specifies Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12, 16 GB dual-channel RAM, and 106 GB of SSD storage; consult the current listing for hardware tiers and any updated requirements.
Is there an official guide?
Ubisoft promotes the Piggyback Complete Official Guide to Assassin’s Creed Shadows as a companion for exploring the game. Its availability, edition, and retailer stock can vary; check the publisher or retailer listing before buying.
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