IGN’s “Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Final Preview” is a pre-release video published January 23, 2025. Its description highlights sneaking through fortresses, views of feudal Japan, combat finishers, and the game’s mix of action, RPG systems, and open-ended exploration. It is a preview, not a review of the released game.
What did IGN’s final preview cover?
IGN credits the video to Alessandro Fillari. The surfaced description says he spent time sneaking through fortresses, taking in the open-world setting, and seeing combat finishers. It frames the game around balancing action, RPG systems, and open-ended exploration. Those points describe the preview’s stated focus; they are not a full transcript or a measured judgment of the finished game. Watch IGN’s preview.
How do Naoe and Yasuke differ?
Ubisoft’s current overview centers the story on two protagonists in the turbulent late Sengoku period: Naoe, a shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, and Yasuke, a samurai of historical legend. Their contrasting play styles are the clearest way to understand the game’s action and stealth premise.
Naoe: stealth and infiltration
Naoe’s approach emphasizes avoiding detection by using noise, light, and shadows. Ubisoft describes tools such as kunai, shuriken, and smoke bombs for distracting guards, alongside parkour and a grappling hook for entering bases. Her hidden blade supports the close-quarters Assassin side of the fantasy.
#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.
Yasuke: direct combat
Yasuke is built around combat, with attacks, blocks, and parries. Ubisoft lists weapons including katana, kanabo, bows, and naginata. The contrast is not simply two separate campaigns: Ubisoft says either character can take on quests, while each has distinct progression, stats, skills, and gear. See Ubisoft’s game overview.
What does exploration involve?
Ubisoft describes a world of castle towns, ports, shrines, and rural landscapes, with changing seasons, unpredictable weather, and reactive environments. Its stated exploration loop pairs movement through the world with information gathering: players scout, collect intel, build a spy network to reveal locations and targets, and recruit allies with specialized abilities. The official overview establishes these as features, but does not independently demonstrate their depth or 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.
Where can you play Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Ubisoft’s page currently lists the game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon through the Mac App Store, and Windows PC through Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Ubisoft also says the game is “Also coming to iPad,” so iPad should not be treated as available on the basis of that listing. Platform status can change; check Ubisoft’s page for the latest availability.
What do the editions include?
Ubisoft describes a Premium Edition that includes the Claws of Awaji expansion, which adds a region and storyline, plus in-game gear and hideout ornaments. The page also describes a Collector’s Edition with digital content and physical items. It does not establish current regional availability, prices, or whether either edition offers better value, so check the relevant storefront before choosing.
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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
Is this a review of the released game?
No. The video was published before release, and its available description is a synopsis rather than a complete account of the footage. Treat it as a snapshot of IGN’s pre-release preview focus—not as a final verdict, a technical assessment, or evidence of how the finished game performs.
Quick Recap
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.
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