ASSASSIN'S CREED SHADOWS

Assassin's Creed has long been one of Ubisoft's biggest flagship series, spanning nearly 20 years.

- Justin Wood

Since the series' second outing in Italy with the beloved Ezio trilogy, fans have been clamouring for an entry set in Japan. When Assassin's Creed Shadows was announced in 2022 during a Ubisoft Forward event, the game quickly became a topic of scrutiny—mainly from a vocal minority. However, after two weeks and over 40 hours of gameplay, I can confidently say this is a fantastic entry set in 1500s Japan.

Set in feudal Japan in 1579, Assassin's Creed Shadows follows two protagonists from opposing sides of a war, brought together by a common enemy and cause. Naoe, a female shinobi, suffers a devastating loss and embarks on a journey to uncover her family's past while forging her own future. Her story is filled with grief, betrayal and growth. From start to finish, her journey is compelling and, at times, even emotional. I often found myself in awe, processing what was happening to her and what had already transpired.

Yasuke, a towering and powerful samurai, serves as the game's second protagonist. His story is shrouded in mystery, and he undergoes significant character growth, taking control of his destiny. The contrast between the two protagonists is striking—Naoe moves like a ghost in the shadows, while Yasuke is a walking storm, cutting down anyone in his path.

Whenever Assassin's Creed attempts multiple protagonists, the results are mixed. Often, one character feels more important than the other. That's also the case in