Assassin’s Creed Shadows makes a persuasive case for the series’ RPG direction by giving its two protagonists genuinely different jobs: Naoe rewards stealth and movement, while Yasuke is built for direct combat. That contrast makes the choice of approach matter, and its progression and exploration systems support it. The trade-off is a large adventure whose many story threads can feel loosely connected.
Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows a good RPG?
Yes, if what you want from an action RPG is a large world, character builds, gear, and the freedom to solve encounters in different ways. Shadows is at its most convincing when a mission’s layout and enemies make you think about whether to infiltrate as Naoe or meet the opposition as Yasuke. The protagonists are not just alternate appearances: their different strengths make the RPG systems serve a clear playstyle choice.
That does not make the game a universally satisfying fit. GamesRadar+ reviewer Andrew Brown praised the dual-lead mechanics and combat but found the story diffuse, with target and character arcs that can feel semi-independent and an ending that does not tie every thread together. Windows Central reviewer Zachary Boddy was more strongly positive about the world, polish, exploration incentives, and character distinction, while cautioning against expecting a short game. These are individual critical assessments, not a measured consensus.
Which is better to play, Naoe or Yasuke?
Neither is simply the better character. Choose based on how you want to handle a situation; the contrast is the central design idea.
#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.
| Character | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Naoe | Stealth, traversal, and avoiding detection | She uses light, noise, parkour, a grappling hook, and hidden-blade assassinations. Reviewer Andrew Brown describes her as more fragile, but better at stealth and parkour. |
| Yasuke | Direct confrontation | He uses a combat-focused arsenal and can attack, block, and parry. Brown describes him as stronger in open combat and less suited to stealth. |
In practical terms, a route with opportunities to move unseen favors Naoe, while a fight that is difficult to bypass gives Yasuke a natural role. The distinction makes missions feel more flexible, though switching between different combat and traversal styles can take adjustment. The reviews also note occasional movement and combat roughness, so neither style is flawless in execution.
How do progression and gear support the two playstyles?
Ubisoft’s February 28, 2025 progression explainer describes two linked forms of advancement. Character levels and Mastery points open character-specific weapon and archetype trees; Knowledge ranks gate some skills and upgrades. Core progression—including level, XP, Mastery, and Knowledge—is shared, so favoring one protagonist does not leave the other behind.
- Mastery: Spend points to improve weapon effectiveness and develop archetype abilities. Ubisoft says Mastery investments can be reset.
- Knowledge: Earn it through non-violent activities, including collecting Lost Pages at temples, visiting shrines, Naoe’s Kuji-kiri meditation, and Yasuke’s Kata.
- Equipment: Gear has levels, stats, quality, perks, and upgrades. Ubisoft says equipment affects combat and whether an assassination succeeds.
That assassination link is significant for stealth-focused players: on the default system described by Ubisoft, progression and gear can affect whether an assassination is successful. Ubisoft also describes an option for one-shot assassinations, which can reduce that friction for players who prefer guaranteed kills. Its explainer says enemies five or more levels above the player are marked as especially dangerous; that is Ubisoft’s description of the system, not an independent balance test.
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.
Does exploration feel purposeful?
It can, particularly if you enjoy gathering clues rather than having every activity marked for you. In Ubisoft’s January 14, 2025 exploration overview, the map begins with limited information and gains detail as you travel. Viewpoints reveal nearby points of interest through observation rather than automatically filling the map with every activity icon.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYou can use observation, scouts, encounters with non-player characters, and a spy network to locate information and targets. Once an objective has been revealed and tracked, Pathfinder can show a route to it. This makes exploration more about finding and interpreting information than simply following a full set of markers. Whether that feels rewarding depends on how much guidance you want; Ubisoft’s description explains the intended systems, not how every player will respond to them.
Is the story too long or too scattered?
The clearest warning is not just length but cohesion. GamesRadar+’s Andrew Brown described the main story as taking 30–40 hours in his review and criticized its multiple semi-independent target and character arcs, saying the ending did not satisfactorily bring loose threads together. That runtime and judgment describe his playthrough and experience, not a guaranteed completion time or universal response.
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
Windows Central’s Zachary Boddy reported playing for 112 hours, but that is one reviewer’s account, not a typical completion-time estimate. His review’s broader caution is more useful for deciding whether the game fits: players who dislike modern Assassin’s Creed RPGs or want a shorter 10–30-hour game may not enjoy its scale. If you want a tightly paced campaign above all, the story’s diffuse structure is a meaningful caveat; if you welcome a long open-world adventure, the time investment may be part of the appeal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What platforms and editions are available?
Ubisoft’s product page lists Assassin’s Creed Shadows for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC storefronts, as well as Ubisoft+ and Amazon Luna. Availability can differ by storefront and region, so confirm that the game is offered on your platform where you live.
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Ubisoft describes the Premium Edition as including the Claws of Awaji expansion, which it says offers over 10 hours of adventure, a new region, storyline, and foes. The Ubisoft Store US listing checked on October 8, 2026 showed the Standard Edition at $28, Premium Edition at $49.50, and Claws of Awaji at $16.24, with prior prices of $69.99, $109.99, and $24.99 respectively. Those are volatile US store observations, not guaranteed prices; check the current local listing and what each edition includes before buying.
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.
For physical-format readers, Ubisoft identifies The Complete Official Guide by Piggyback as a companion book for exploring the game. Confirm platform, format, stock, and current listing details with the retailer.
What accessibility and difficulty options does it offer?
Ubisoft’s January 23, 2025 accessibility overview lists audio descriptions for in-game cinematics, guided mode, a conversation log, control remapping, tutorials, and a lock-on camera. It also documents separate four-setting difficulty options for stealth and combat, letting players adjust those challenges independently. A feature list cannot establish whether the game will meet every disabled player’s needs, so check the options against your own requirements.
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.
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