Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchUbisoft has reported 160 million hours — Ubisoft, 2025 played in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. That is a total across players, not an estimate of how long one person needs to finish the story. Ubisoft’s official materials describe two complementary protagonists: Naoe, a stealth-focused shinobi, and Yasuke, a combat-oriented samurai. They also place the game in Japan’s late-sixteenth-century Azuchi-Momoyama era and explain the design ideas behind its characters and changing world.
How long is Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Ubisoft’s FY2024–25 results report that players had logged 160 million hours — Ubisoft, 2025 in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This is an aggregate engagement figure for the game, not an average or median for an individual player, and not a main-story completion estimate. The cited results do not specify the exact date through which those hours were counted. Ubisoft’s FY2024–25 results
Ubisoft’s reviewed official materials do not give a typical individual playtime for the main story or a completionist run. The 160-million-hour total cannot be converted into either estimate without player-count and playtime-distribution data.
Expansion time is a separate figure
Ubisoft describes the Claws of Awaji expansion as offering over 10 hours of adventure. That is Ubisoft’s estimate for expansion content, not a duration for the base game’s main story. Check Ubisoft’s game page for its current expansion information.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#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.
How do Naoe and Yasuke play differently?
The protagonists offer different approaches rather than interchangeable versions of the same playstyle. Ubisoft says players can take either character on quests, but each has separate progression, stats, skills and gear. The choice is between Naoe’s stealth and mobility and Yasuke’s more direct approach to combat. Ubisoft’s character overview
| Protagonist | Developer-described strengths | What that means for your approach |
|---|---|---|
| Naoe | Agility, stealth, environmental shadows, distractions, parkour, a grappling hook and the hidden blade. | Well suited to avoiding detection, moving through the environment and creating openings before or instead of a direct fight. |
| Yasuke | Direct combat, blocking and parrying, durability and a broad weapon selection, including katana, kanabo, bows and naginata. | Better aligned with confronting enemies and choosing among different weapon styles. |
Those are Ubisoft’s advertised character roles, not a guarantee that one is the best choice for every mission. The official description says either can approach quests; their distinct progression and equipment give players a reason to favor the style that suits the situation or their preference.
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.
Combat varies by character and weapon
Ubisoft’s combat overview describes light and heavy attacks, charged posture attacks that can break an opponent’s guard, and defensive actions that can leave an enemy vulnerable. It also describes differences in dodging and parrying between the protagonists. The presentation emphasizes that both the selected character and equipped weapon affect how combat plays. These are the developer’s announced mechanics, not an independent assessment of the current patched game: the overview was published December 10, 2024, and notes that its footage came from a work-in-progress build. Ubisoft’s combat overview
What does exploration involve?
Ubisoft frames exploration around gathering and interpreting information, then using it to uncover places and targets. Its described tools include an objective board, clues and investigations, a map that reveals detail as players explore, and spies who can help gather intelligence. The intent is discovery through observation and leads rather than relying entirely on map markers. In Ubisoft’s exploration article, Game Director Charles says, “We didn’t want to hold the player’s hand too much with icons and markers.” Ubisoft’s exploration overview
Rank #3
![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
Character activities
- Naoe: Kuji-kiri meditation.
- Yasuke: weapon-specific Kata and horse archery.
- Both: painting wild animals.
These activities sit alongside the main stealth, combat and investigation systems, giving each protagonist character-specific ways to engage with the world.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do seasons and weather affect play?
Ubisoft says dynamic seasons and weather are intended to affect both the look of locations and the conditions of missions. Its examples include frozen ponds that remove underwater cover, and a nighttime spring rainstorm that muffles footsteps and makes enemies less likely to spot the player. These are design examples from Ubisoft’s technology article; they describe intended effects rather than independently verified behavior in every current game build. The article quotes Dansereau: “Our goal was to make a world that looked good, but also had an impact on gameplay,” Ubisoft’s technology article
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.
What inspired Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The story is set during Japan’s unification in the late sixteenth century, in the Azuchi-Momoyama era. Ubisoft Québec’s account names figures including Oda Nobunaga, Akechi Mitsuhide, Sen no Rikyū and Hattori Hanzō as part of the period’s context. This is the historical setting chosen for the game, not a claim that its story or characters are a documentary account. Ubisoft Québec’s Artblast, published March 27, 2025
The studio describes the protagonists as two gameplay fantasies drawn from different parts of the series’ identity: Naoe’s stealth-focused shinobi embodies the franchise’s Assassin roots, while Yasuke’s powerful, combat-oriented samurai reflects its more recent move toward intricate melee combat. That is Ubisoft Québec’s explanation of its design framing, rather than an independent historical judgment about either character or role.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
