Assassin's Creed Shadows Reviews

Assassin's Creed Shadows is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

I’ve longed for the franchise to go to Japan ever since the first game was released in 2007. It seemed like the perfect setting for the series, and although Assassin’s Creed: Shadows doesn’t quite live up to my lofty expectations, it still delivers a generally good and enjoyable experience. The world is stunning, brimming with feudal Japan’s rich culture that oozes into the atmosphere, and the core gameplay remains as engaging as ever. While it may not break new ground or take the series to the next level, and it certainly has faults, Shadows captures the franchise’s spirit in fresh and exciting ways that I’m sure any diehard fan will come to appreciate.

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CBR
Top Critic
7 / 10
Mar 18, 2025

AC Shadows isn’t revolutionizing its franchise or its genre, but it’s overall going to be a good time for those who seek it out. This is a more-than-worthy entry in the franchise, and overall, those who most enjoyed Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Valhalla will get the most out of Shadows, considering they're the most similar in scale and overall gameplay structure.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not merely a recreation of a historical era; it is a spiritual revival, breathed into existence amidst the feudal wars, the silence of shadows, and the conflict between honor and betrayal. It shows that history is not written by conquerors, but by the shadows. Shadows that may not take the audience back to the golden age of Assassin’s Creed, but are far superior to the recent installments.

Review in Persian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows should undoubtedly be the best game in the series to date. The world of Japan is not only the most stunning and varied in the series with its different seasons, but arguably one of the best-looking games of all time. The gameplay also finally finds its neat middle ground with the slower action RPG stylings of Yasuke and the assassination-focused side of Naoe. Unfortunately, the world is frustrating to explore most of the time, holding back this title from its greatness.

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Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive success and a winning combination of stealth and steel. It’s a fantastic entry in the open-world RPG line of games in the stealth series and the most refined version of that style yet, with satisfying and rewarding exploration, brilliant combat, and a dual protagonist system that really works.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

If you don’t like Assassin’s Creed, Shadows won’t be the pivotal moment in the franchise that changes your mind. Due to dual protagonists, experiences of Assassin’s Creed Shadows are going to vary drastically, but when the game is at it’s best it allows the player to take full advantage of the satisfying combat, parkour, and stealth systems through the eyes of a young shinobi requiring a more methodical approach The biggest downfall with Assassin’s Creed Shadows is indecision. At times between shinobi and samurai, between stealth or action, between drama and comedy, between instant kills and sword sponges, between series cliches and fresh ideas. At times Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels like a six, but at other times it’s almost a ten and where it ends up is somewhere in the middle. When everything clicks together, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was worth the wait.

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Mar 18, 2025

Ubisoft has finally released Assassin's Creed Shadows, after several setbacks. It follows the formula of the series, without taking any risks, limiting itself to delivering a game that is consistent with what fans already know. Naoe is a nice surprise, while Yasuke doesn't seem to know what he's doing here. Anyone who likes the saga will love Shadows, but it's a shame it's not more daring.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Mar 18, 2025

Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows has some cumbersome flaws that can’t be overlooked, including ones that have been present in the series since its inception, it is a strong action-adventure game that I will likely keep investing in for weeks to come.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the series to new heights in ways we have been longing for. Ubisoft has delivered the most remarkable world I think we have seen from the studio yet. This, combined with a rich setting, dynamic gameplay styles, and a good balance of action and stealth, makes Shadows the best entry in the series. In many ways, it is going to be hard for Ubisoft to top this.

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8.3 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Shadows is a fun, technically impressive, and well-executed game, but its identity as an Assassin’s Creed can be questioned.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

This sprawling epic regularly features gorgeous sights of Japan and incredibly fun gameplay with a newfound freedom of how you approach it. It winds up being the best Assassin’s Creed game in years and a true joy over its 60+ hour journey.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the best entries in the series in the past decade. The developers’ meticulous attention to detail and the overall high quality—especially in direction—have yielded a genuinely commendable title that could truly mark a new era for this long-standing franchise.

Review in Persian | Read full review

Mar 18, 2025

Whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best entry in the series depends on what you enjoy. If you enjoy tactical stealth, the game delivers. If you’re more into a challenging combat experience, Yasuke’s overwhelming strength may leave you wanting more.

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9.5 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

With some truly wonderful writing and an engaging pair of protagonists, I adored Assassin’s Creed Shadows. I was obsessed with finishing the assassination targets and working through the Objective board with many late nights to see it through. The wait for Ubisoft to bring the series to Japan has been worth it, especially given the technical appeal of modern gaming making it even more impressive than I had imagined. Naoe and Yasuke are my definitive heroes for this series, two individuals who are wonderfully portrayed by their respective actors, and the talented team that brought them to life.

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9.5 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin's Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. An addictive adventure in a stunningly provocative open world, and an absolute must play.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 19, 2025

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a notable achievement from Ubisoft, offering an experience that both long-time fans and newcomers are likely to appreciate. This latest addition to the franchise is visually stunning, and its refined stealth systems and other enhancements make it one of the best Assassin's Creed games in recent memory. However, the dual-protagonist approach might prove to be divisive. While the concept is innovative, its execution falters in certain areas. The game seems predominantly tailored to Naoe, whose abilities allow her to fully engage with nearly all aspects of gameplay. In contrast, Yasuke’s limitations may alienate some players, as they frequently must alternate between the two characters to access different features.

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80 / 100
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin's Creed Shadows was supposed to work in the dark to serve the light, but it never managed to step beyond the Shadows. Visually, the game is remarkable and stands strong by its standards, but everything else is pretty much the same. The level-based progression is a huge letdown but is backed by excellent execution of stealth mechanics and a gripping dual protagonist storyline.

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Essential
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is, without a doubt, a breathtaking addition to the long running franchise. Whether sneaking through shadows as Noae or charging headfirst into battle as Yasuke, the game offers a dynamic experience making every choice feel consequential. With its immersive setting, refined combat mechanics, and an innovative weather system affecting gameplay, Assassin’s Creed Shadows elevates the franchise in ways that will leave eager players wanting for more. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows might follow some familiar gameplay tropes, its execution is far from formulaic. With a wealth of side content, a customisable hideout system, and the promise of a world teeming with historical intrigue and fierce battles, it is clear Assassin’s Creed Shadows is poised to be one of the franchise's most memorable and impactful titles. Fans old and new alike will find much to love in this stunning and daring chapter in the Assassin’s Creed saga.

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8.7 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

With Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft sticks to a familiar formula but executes it brilliantly. Add to that the new weather and season systems, along with the expanded base-building mechanics, and we’re convinced that waiting for an Assassin’s Creed set in Japan was more than worth it.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Mar 18, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking evolution of the open-world formula, blending masterful storytelling, refined stealth mechanics, and stunning visuals. With a gripping dual-protagonist narrative and meticulously crafted historical setting, Ubisoft delivers one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed experiences to date.

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