Assassin’s Creed Shadows Preview: A Promising Direction for the Franchise

The anticipation surrounding new releases in the Assassin’s Creed franchise is a hallmark of the gaming industry, yet with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the excitement feels particularly pronounced. Originally unveiled under the title Codename Red, this iteration promises to deliver an experience set in Japan, a long-desired theme among fans of the series. As its release approaches, the stakes seem higher than ever for Ubisoft, especially after facing delays and modifications in their launch strategy. The success of this title is essential for the company’s future direction.

During a recent visit to the Ubisoft Québec office, Screen Rant enjoyed an immersive six-hour experience with a work-in-progress version of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Though that time represents only a glimpse into a much larger open-world environment, it was sufficient to reveal significant gameplay elements. As a long-standing fan, I approached this session with a mix of excitement and trepidation, knowing that the outcome could either showcase the best or worst aspects of the franchise. Fortunately, my experience showed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows leans heavily into the positives, while minimizing the negatives.

Distinctive Dual Protagonists

An Engaging Shared Narrative

The preview commenced with a prologue designed to introduce players to the game’s foundational mechanics and characters—Yasuke and Naoe. This section is crafted to avoid spoilers, and it becomes evident why once you experience it. While the prologue serves utilitarian purposes, effectively familiarizing players with the necessary combat techniques, it also delivers poignant emotional moments. Recent entries in the Assassin’s Creed series have faltered in their narrative delivery, but the cutscene concluding Naoe’s prologue resonates powerfully.

After the prologue, the majority of my gameplay took place two years later, in a segment set around Himeji Castle. This portion beautifully encapsulates the series’ signature blend of exploration, stealth, and combat mechanics. Here, Naoe embodies the agile shinobi archetype, excelling in stealth and intricate exploration, while Yasuke is equipped for direct confrontations and brawls.

My preference leaned towards Naoe during the session, though I did engage with Yasuke as well. Beyond my curiosity about both characters, switching to Yasuke was strategic at times—after being identified as a Wanted criminal playing as Naoe, I found that shifting to Yasuke helped effectively dissipate the heat. The gameplay’s structure allowed for varied approaches, adding an engaging layer to each encounter.

Familiar Framework, Innovative Mechanics

A Vibrant and Dynamic Game World

As a dedicated stealth aficionado, I found Shadows to be an impressive evolution in that area compared to its predecessors. True to its title, Shadows places significant emphasis on light and darkness. The game allows for cloaking Naoe and Yasuke when they remain hidden from illumination, employing creative gameplay mechanics such as extinguishing light sources by throwing shurikens or leveraging environmental factors like fog to enhance concealment.

In addition to these mechanics, players can now assume a completely prone position, which grants a richer stealth experience. Adjusting to these innovative systems felt intuitive, demonstrating a seamless integration that contrasts with some previous titles in the series that struggled with cumbersome mechanics. While the stealth scenarios presented here didn’t entirely surpass the challenges offered in Mirage, they still represent a significant improvement. Naoe’s delicate movements allow her to navigate enemy encounters without becoming encumbered, whereas Yasuke specializes in overpowering opponents, akin to the combat styles seen in Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

Yasuke’s arsenal also includes ranged weapons like a heavy bow for stealth tactics and a matchlock gun for when the situation demands aggressive strategy. While I may not exclusively use Yasuke for most of my gameplay, his unique clumsiness serves as a strong characteristic that separates him from other more fluid characters. This distinction is a refreshing change, highlighting Yasuke’s physicality as he interacts with the environment, whether smashing through doors or staggering over rooftops. It takes skill to wield him effectively, but watching game director Charles Benoit master the character’s mechanics showcased the potential.

In my climactic encounter, I opted to control Naoe, and her agile prowess translated perfectly into the one-on-one sword fights. For all the nostalgia around classic Assassin’s Creed titles, Naoe’sExecution of graceful maneuvers, such as a well-timed backflip, marks a significant transformation in combat from earlier iterations. The narrative choices leading up to and following this battle revealed emotional depth and added layers to the story, suggesting a progressive narrative approach even if it doesn’t fundamentally change the franchise’s trajectory.

Emphasis on Base-Building: The Hideout

A Side Mode for Creative Builders

During the final hour of gameplay, I engaged with the hideout feature, an evolution from the base-building mechanics introduced in Valhalla. This side mode allows players to develop a personalized base, where they can enhance their gameplay experience and decorate the area according to their preferences. Neither mandatory nor detracting from the main game, this mechanic encourages interaction, as players can discover decorations while pursuing core gameplay objectives.

While the hideout might not be essential, it signifies a natural evolution of previous franchise management systems, conducted with less reliance on cumbersome menu structures reminiscent of Brotherhood’s mechanics. My hour spent in the hideout felt like a charming diversion that complemented the overarching narrative, creating a refreshing juxtaposition to the intensity of the main storyline.

Lasting Impressions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Continues to Evolve

The preview showcased the franchise’s renowned strengths, including stunning landscapes, iconic landmarks, and an engaging historical narrative that masterfully weaves historical storytelling into the gameplay experience. However, some concerns remain, particularly regarding the blend of side activities that may sometimes seem less impactful and more like mere map fillers. In the vicinity of Himeji Castle, I struggled to gauge the overall structure of quests outside the highlighted areas, a design characteristic that has brought mixed reactions in the past.

Ultimately, my time with AC Shadows revitalized my enthusiasm for a game that may not resonate with me as strongly as prior installments did. While it’s uncertain if any modern title will reach what I consider a peak for the franchise, this experience felt like a genuine evolution, one that is prepared for the competitive landscape shaped by other notable titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to make its mark, refusing to back down without a fight.

Source: Ubisoft/YouTube

Screen Rant was invited to participate in an on-site preview event for Assassin’s Creed Shadows in the creation of this article.

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