You’ve probably heard of ‘kintsugi,’ the Japanese art that translates to ‘golden repair.’ It’s a philosophy and art form where broken pottery is repaired with lacquer and dusted with gold, silver, or platinum. The idea is to highlight and honor the cracks and repairs to create something even more beautiful, celebrating the item’s unique history.
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems like a version of this concept applied to their long-running, 18-year-old game series. All the imperfections—the cluttered UI, the overly busy maps, less-than-seamless parkour, and clunky combat—are still there. But it feels like Ubisoft isn’t hiding or ignoring them. Instead, for every frustrating mission where you’re following someone too slowly, there’s an awe-inspiring set-piece waiting just around the corner. For every flaw, there’s a streak of gold.
One of the standout features since the series’ soft reboot from Origins is the objective system that sets you against shadowy cabals. In Shadows’ depiction of Sengoku-era Japan, this means a plethora of targets to assassinate. Picture board upon board filled with circles of nefarious organizations, each one a new chance for intrigue.
And this is what keeps you going through lengthy rides between prefectures. While the main narrative revolves around avenging 13 enemies—unsurprisingly—this is just the start. The game showers you with side objectives, encouraging you to tackle infamous ronin or disavowed shinobi, each uniquely challenging and requiring clever tactics. Yes, it’s mainly ‘find and kill,’ but it beats those old ‘follow this person’ missions we’d rather forget.
In Shadows, switching between the swift Naoe and the strong Yasuke, you get to dive headfirst into combat—the series’ primary attraction. The combat system hasn’t dramatically evolved since Origins; it’s functional but not groundbreaking. What makes it compelling is the freedom of choice. Prefer stealth? Naoe’s your go-to, armed with precise kunai for silent headshots. In the mood for chaos? Yasuke, with his giant kanabo, is ready to charge in, providing gratifying and comedic moments alike.
Yes, the AI isn’t perfect, and the physics can feel off. But knocking a ronin off balance and delivering a decisive blow or outmaneuvering your opponent for a perfect strike feels fantastic. Enemies dramatically losing their hats is both amusing and visually satisfying.
When it comes to storytelling, Shadows impresses, especially if you’re playing in Immersive Mode with subtitles, which I recommend over the sometimes awkward English voice-overs. The Japanese/Portuguese blend is reminiscent of something out of Shogun, enhanced by Ubisoft’s stellar art direction and cinematic moments that rival the series’ finest. Special mention goes to TEKE TEKE, whose psych-rock soundscapes bring a Tarantino-esque vibe to key scenes.
That said, the story does take time to build momentum. The prologue is packed with exposition, keeping you somewhat grounded early on. But once you’re unleashed on the expansive open world, you’ll feel comfortable with both Naoe and Yasuke. The game’s design encourages switching characters, which is expertly paced. With a personal 70/30 split favoring Naoe’s stealth over Yasuke’s brute force, both playstyles have their moments of joy as you equip new gear and tackle unsuspecting foes.
Even the series’ most formulaic elements are thoughtfully revamped in Shadows. Take the collectibles mission, for instance. Finding and collecting origami cranes unfolds (pun intended) in a surprisingly inventive way, giving Ubisoft credit for fresh ideas. The game also includes base-building features, which can be largely ignored, but engaging with them yields nice rewards, from bringing allies into battles to gaining discounts at shops.
Shadows also invites you to slow down. To unlock more layers in its RPG-lite system, you’ll need to seek out temples and ancient scrolls, complemented by animations of prayer at shrines—a bit repetitive, possibly tedious. Meditating as Naoe or practicing katas as Yasuke, though they feel like obligatory mindfulness exercises, can be oddly meditative and fitting in the game’s pace of self-directed exploration.
Graphically, Shadows is stunning. Playing on a PS5 Pro in Quality mode, I frequently put down the controller just to take in the breathtaking scenery. Each season in the game offers a distinct aesthetic, with autumn’s vivid hues being particularly captivating. While seasons don’t significantly alter gameplay, they provide visual variety as you traverse the majestic landscapes.
In line with ‘kintsugi’ and ‘wabi-sabi’—the acceptance of imperfection and transience—Assassin’s Creed Shadows embraces its flaws. Some elements of the series are inherently flawed, yet Ubisoft has managed to make them gleam. It’s a game that, despite its issues, is engrossing, filled with narrative depth, and rewarding in every aspect, reminiscent of some modern roguelikes. Every in-game action has meaning, making the open world feel cohesive and well-assembled.
Shadows has the kind of design where even discovering its flaws is part of the appeal, often leading to interesting gameplay or storytelling. That’s pretty high praise for a video game, marking it as something genuinely special.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will launch on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC on March 20, 2025, following a brief delay earlier in the year.
