ASSASSIN'S CREED: SHADOWS
- KGK Nix
- Mar 28
- 12 min read
"Please note that while I strive to keep this review spoiler-free, some may consider details like weapons, character usage, and my overall impression of the game as somewhat spoiler-related. Furthermore, any personal opinions I express about this game are entirely my own and do not reflect the views of KGK as a whole. I would also like to mention that I began writing this review at the end of Act 1, with 16 hours of gameplay so far. Anything beyond this point remains undiscovered by me and could potentially alter this review further. Please be aware that I might update this post at a later time."
My Thoughts and Opinions
Even though I've only played the game for 16 hours, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I haven't had a chance to fully explore Yasuke's character yet, so my experience is primarily with Naoe. The control system is similar to, but improved from, AC Black Flag and Syndicate. It took me a bit to get used to the small "combo" attack with the press of a button, but Naoe's attacks are so rapid it's like watching something in fast forward. This speed is really useful when facing multiple enemies and you want to dive into the action. My biggest frustration so far is when I'm about to perform an Air assassination, and my character swings her sword instead, alerting my target. While I'll admit Mirage was a short and not-so-great AC title (not helped by my lack of affection for the main character), Shadows seems to have returned to the longer gameplay style like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. Listing everything that annoys me about the game would honestly deter you, and I'm surprised at how much I want to complain about it, yet how much I love it. I truly am enjoying this game. It's received a lot of press, both positive and negative, for various reasons, mainly because people have their own opinions and share them even when others aren't interested. AC has always drawn from history without claiming to be factual, so there's some truth mixed with creative storytelling. I play AC for fun, regardless of whether Jeffrey down the road dislikes it and rates it 1/10. This game is definitely worth trying. Form your own opinion and give it a shot. I would say this is one of the best Assassin's Creed games in a while (except Valhalla, as I'm biased).
I will give this a Solid 7.5 out of 10 (would of been 8 if i hadn't gotten so confused with the scout and hideout system)
Graphics: 8/10
Characters: 7/10 - I think the game could have focused solely on Naoe, and I would have enjoyed
it just as much.
Story: 7.5 out of 10 so far.
Game play: 7/10 due to how long it took me to get use to the combat But now i love it.
Extra game play (crafting/base building): 6/10 I only given it the lower score as i would rather keep playing the story and not have to focus on base building and upgrading. but to other people they might really enjoy this feature. If you wish to know more please Keep reading!
Story and Location background/history
Welcome to my comprehensive review of Assassin's Creed Shadows. This is the 14th major instalment in the AC series, following Assassin's Creed Mirage. Shadows is set in 16th century Feudal Japan, Specifically starting in 1579 during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, which marks the final stage of the Sengoku Period and will be experienced through the perspectives of two protagonists: These two characters offer vastly different gameplay styles, enabling various approaches to challenges.
The game delves into central Japan, featuring areas such as Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, and the Iga province, showcasing historically-accurate castles like Takeda and Fukuchiyama, alongside detailed historical landmarks and strongholds crafted as complex dungeons. This setting mirrors Japan's urbanization during that era, with bustling ports, samurai districts, and elaborate architecture, all crucial for parkour and exploration within the game. The impact of Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries, who brought Christianity and innovations like cannons and long guns, also contributes to shaping the game's environment and storyline.
Characters and Background.
Fujibayashi Naoe,
Naoe is a Kunoichi (female shinobi) from Iga, brought up by her father, Fujibayashi Nagato, during the Sengoku period. Under her father's tutelage, she joined the Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins. After a brief introduction where you play as Yasuke at the game's start, the main first act begins. Throughout this act, you play as Naoe, with Yasuke becoming available at the end, which took me 16 hours, though I spent a lot of time exploring and doing side quests. Unlike Yasuke, who relies on brute strength, Naoe excels in stealth, using shadows for long-range air assassinations. If stealth isn't your style, her speed is a major asset in combat, enabling quick strikes, evasive rolls, and parrying enemy attacks, making the gameplay feel faster, like at 1.5x to 2x speed. Initially, this was off-putting, but I've come to enjoy her play style and can see myself using her more than Yasuke.
When facing a group of three and a double assassination isn't possible, I usually throw some knives and then charge in for an assassination. Occasionally, I choose a bolder approach by staying in the fight, using my speed to dodge their attacks and counter before they finish their assault.
Yasuke
Yasuke, a former African slave, arrives in Japan as the bodyguard and slave of Catholic Jesuit missionaries. Upon encountering Oda Nobunaga, a historical figure, Nobunaga takes Yasuke into his service and trains him in the ways of the Samurai. Although Assassin's Creed typically features fictional protagonists, Ubisoft chose to base the samurai character on the historical Yasuke, seeing it as an opportunity for players to experience Japan through a foreigner's perspective. Yasuke's character was crafted to contrast with Naoe's quick-tempered nature, portraying him as calm and composed. They opted not to make Yasuke an Assassin in the storyline, believing it would better integrate him into the game's narrative, emphasizing that his personal motivations and core beliefs are why he allies with the Assassin Naoe. Special focus was placed on their gameplay and animations to ensure each character felt unique. This concept was inspired by their previous work on Assassin's Creed Syndicate, which featured the Frye twins as dual protagonists, one favoring stealth and the other brawling. With Shadows, they aimed to expand on this idea by making Naoe and Yasuke "as opposite as possible in everything," while ensuring each character offered a complete player experience. To highlight this difference, Yasuke was designed to tackle multiple enemies at once but lacked some of the mobility options available to Naoe.
Having played Yasuke only briefly, I can say that he is significantly slower than Naoe but delivers powerful hits, akin to a brick wall. One of his abilities allows him to literally CHARGE and break down doors.
New Gameplay Features
The new gameplay mechanics in Shadows include the ability to crawl along the ground, allowing you to remain undetected and pass through small openings.
The character can also venture into shallow water, using a bamboo stick to breathe.
Eagle vision returns, but unlike in Mirage, it does not reveal NPC locations through walls; enemies are marked in red, while allies are highlighted in orange.
Naoe and Yasuke can enter a new mode called "observe," which is activated with LB on Xbox, L1 on PS5, and the right mouse button on PC. This new Observe mechanic provides a quick and easy way to gather information about targets and is accessible while crouching on high vantage points, enabling players to examine newly discovered locations more closely.
Hiding in shadows renders the player invisible to enemies, both indoors and outdoors, and players can choose to destroy lit lanterns with shuriken's. Moving while crouching allows a player to move silently across creaking nightingale floors.
Weapons Of Assassins Creed Shadows
*Please note this list of weapons was found from Xbox wire as I've not unlocked all of Yasuke's equipment.
Weapons Of Yasuke
Long Katana
Although speed isn't Yasuke's most impressive attribute, the Long Katana is his quickest weapon. This enables him to swiftly and precisely cut down enemies. Despite its shorter range, its rapid attack speed makes it ideal for handling small groups or when you want to embrace your Samurai spirit and cut through a wandering Ronin who mistakenly believed he could challenge you!
Naginata
A long reaching Polearm capable of sweeping attacks, the Naginata is perfect for dealing damage to large groups of enemies at once. The Naginata has the longest reach of all of Yasuke's Melee weapons and allows him to keep threats at a distance, it is also very useful when facing enemies with Naginatas of the own.
Kanabo
If everything else doesn't work, simply "BASH IT." The Kanabo is a colossal club, and while it may be slow, it compensates with its tremendous power. Even light strikes from the Kanabo can shatter an enemy's defence, and subsequent blows will quickly destroy any opponent's armour, and probably their Health bar in seconds. Due to the Kanabo's slow nature, Yasuke faces greater risk when wielding it against large groups of enemies, as multiple attackers can disrupt his swings.
Bow
Although I personally hoped Naoe could use the Bow, it is Yasuke who wields it as one of his two ranged weapons. The bow serves as his silent assassin, the pinnacle of stealth in Yasuke's toolkit. It excels at quietly eliminating guards from afar. Some abilities enable you to slow time while shooting or rapidly fire multiple arrows, making the bow a feasible choice even in intense combat.
Teppo
When silence isn't a top priority for Yasuke, the Teppo rifle delivers a powerful impact, but be ready for it to draw considerable attention. After each shot, you'll need to reload, which might require you to quickly switch to a melee weapon as enemies close in. However, it's more versatile than it seems – there are abilities that let you detonate a gunpowder sack for area-of-effect damage, and you can even use the rifle as a club to knock down opponents before shooting them, if you want to make a dramatic entrance.
Weapons of Naoe
Katana
Although it bears the same name as Yasuke's weapon, the manner in which Naoe wields her Katana makes it seem like an entirely different weapon. A complete sequence of attacks with her shorter blade is likely to include as many kicks and flips as swings and slashes. In Naoe's hands, the Katana is a medium-speed weapon, making it a versatile choice, ideal for both one-on-one combat and fighting small groups.
Tanto/Hidden Blade
The tanto is a dagger that Naoe uses with incredible speed, pairing it with her Hidden Blade to deliver a series of swift attacks on her foes. Its reach is limited, requiring Naoe to engage in close combat for effective use, but it excels in battling single opponents. Additionally, a passive upgrade in Naoe’s Assassin mastery tab enables her to execute dual assassinations with the tanto, provided it is one of her two equipped weapons - (This is a mistake i learned the hard way after unlocking dual assassinations.)
Kusarigama
The Kusarigama is one of the most effective all-around weapons for Naoe, unless collateral damage is a concern. Its powerful swings can cut through everything, from small crates and shoji doors to an enemy's armour. The Kusarigama consists of a scythe and a spiked metal ball connected by a long chain, making it arguably Naoe's most versatile weapon. Light attacks allow for quick strikes with the scythe end, while heavy attacks deliver sweeping swings with the metal ball end, making it the perfect weapon for handling large groups. Its extensive range enables Naoe to maintain her distance if she chooses.
Tools
Unlike Yasuke, Naoe does not possess a traditional ranged weapon. However, she can utilize throwable tools to eliminate, distract, or damage her opponents. Her kunai can eliminate many unarmoured foes with a single headshot, while her shuriken's, though inflicting minimal damage, are ideal for stunning enemies during combat and quietly disabling lights to keep you concealed in the shadows.
Upgrading Weapons
Weapons are categorized into five rarity tiers: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Each Uncommon weapon features one engraved perk that offers a distinct advantage, like boosting critical hit chance when hitting several enemies. Weapons classified as Rare and higher have two engraving slots; one is fixed with a specific perk, while the other allows you to choose a custom perk from your Hideout’s blacksmith.
Upgrades / knowlage Level (unlock new skills by gaining (icon) Knowledge points and points and accessing new Knowledge Ranks. Various activites reward Knowlege points,
Skill Trees Of Naoe and Yasuke
Naoe
Naoe exemplifies the classic silent assassin, moving stealthily in the shadows to eliminate her target. She is armed with an array of small weapons and tools. Her nimble movement mechanics truly embody the essence of an assassin within the franchise. Her six unlocked skill tree abilities include the following:
Katana (melee weapon) 18 skills
Kusarigama (melee weapon with range advantage) 18 skills
Tanto (melee weapon) 18 skills
Shinobi (attributes) 20 skills
Assassin (attributes) 17 skills
*Please note if playing with GUARENTEED ASSASSINATION on don't waste your skill point on some of the nodes that make assassination easier until you need too.
Yusuke
Yasuke's abilities, in contrast, are centered on direct combat. He can handle a variety of slow, heavy weapons to effectively engage enemies in close-quarters battles. It's especially crucial to use his heavy attacks to break through the sturdy armor of adversaries. Additionally, he can use a bow and teppo to deal damage from a distance. His six skills are as follows:
Long Katana (melee weapon) 18 skills
Naginata (melee weapon) 18 skills
Kanabo (melee weapon) 18 skills
Teppo (ranged weapon) 24 skills
Samurai (attributes)
Bow (ranged weapons) 26 skills
Upgrading your Skills will require you to attain Knowledge points!
As shown in the Image above you can acquire Knowledge points in the following locations.
Temples
Temples are shared by both Naoe and Yasuke and you will have to locate and collect a number of scrolls, once you find them all you'll be rewarded with a knowledge point.
Shrines
Both Naoe and Yasuke can pray at three specific alters within the shrine, once you've prayed at each spot you'll earn a knowledge point, While Temples often devolve into combat, shrines are more peaceful.
Kofuns
Similar to the tombs in the Tomb Raider series, Kofuns offer a more enjoyable side activity. These ancient burial sites are each unique and can only be accessed by either Naoe or Yasuke, as only one of them has the capability to enter. Be sure to light the candles along your path to avoid getting lost in the maze.
Meditation Spots (Kuji Kiri)
One method to achieve Knowledge Rank, exclusive to Naoe, involves a rhythm-based game that frustrated me immensely. As it progressed towards the end, my poor eyesight made it difficult to see. Fortunately, simply recalling the beat allowed me to continue successfully. Some of these activities will transport you back into a memory from Naoe's past.
Hidden Trails
Another exclusive side activity for Naoe involves navigating hidden trails. These parkour challenges assess your abilities in climbing, swinging, and general platforming. Opening the chest at the end rewards you with excellent gear and a Knowledge point. Occasionally, this will also lead you to a lookout spot that wouldn't be accessible otherwise.
Kata
Finally we reach the first of the 2 i still havent done. Yasuke’s first unique Side Activities, the Kata. These weapon drills resemble graceful dance movements, and the masters you encounter throughout Japan will instruct you in the use of various weapons. In every instance, the activity remains the same: it’s a quick time event where you must execute a sequence of button prompts. Some buttons need to be pressed, some need to be held until a circle fills, and others are timed as a larger ring shrinks to fit a smaller one. You must hit every button correctly to progress. Fortunately, you have unlimited attempts, and you can even retry each movement group until you succeed.
Horse back archery
The last unique Side Activity for Yasuke involves Horseback Archery. This activity focuses more on perception than on timing. By holding your bow, allowing the auto-aim to function, and releasing only when the reticule turns red, you will hit the target consistently.
Hideout - your Base of Operation.
If you don't mind, this review is already quite lengthy, and I have much more to discuss and accomplish, so I've chosen to direct you straight to Ubisoft's HIDEOUT page, as I could create an entire post solely about the Hideout system, and there is still SO much more for me to discover!
Scouts
Scouts are a valuable resource in Ac Shadows. Once you unlock the Hideout, you can utilize them to pinpoint quest locations and gather resources (specifically those on pallets) from castles, camps, and other enemy outposts. They can also help reduce your wanted level, although I haven't experienced a wanted level yet—this might be a mechanic that appears later in the game. You can increase the number of scout slots through upgrades in the Hideout. While exploring the wilds, you might encounter bandits harassing locals. By rescuing them, you have the option to obtain "SCOUT" intel or learn a World Rumour (Point of Interest). If your scout slots are full, it defaults to Rumour.
Scouts can be replenished by either the change of season or by spending money at the Kakurega. - If I may offer a personal suggestion, upgrade your stables quickly so that it only requires 1 Scout instead of 2 to gather resources.
Story / Objectives / Sub-Objectives
Much like its predecessors, AC Shadows once again follows a familiar formula with a new historical backdrop, featuring factions vying for control over lost pieces of "ISU" Technology. While this might sound repetitive, each game manages to offer enough unique elements to remain enjoyable. We've journeyed through Florence, Italy, London, England, and Egypt, among others. This time, the main narrative takes us to Japan. I can't reveal the main objective at the moment, but it begins similarly to Ezio's and others' with the theme of "Revenge," the timeless tale of setting things right. As you progress, a broader world unfolds, revealing your significance like never before.
Thanks for reading and I really do recommend this title.
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