Feudal Japan has never looked better in a video game. And yes, I know Ghost of Tsushima exists. But where Ghost feels like a beautifully stylised oil painting, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is something else entirely. The world doesn’t just feel alive — it draws you in, a land that demands to be explored.
There were moments during my time with Shadows where I genuinely had to pause and process what I was seeing. The line between reality and video game blurred — a rare feat, even for the most visually impressive open-world titles.
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From the moment I climbed my first temple to see the world from a new perspective, I was hooked. The setting alone was enough to sell me — but could it live up to that promise? Could it help turn Ubisoft’s fortunes around after a rocky few years? Feudal Japan — a world of samurai and shinobi, warlords and rebellion. A land of political intrigue, clashing steel, and shifting allegiances. Shadows doesn’t just use this period as a backdrop — it fully embraces it; immersing you in one of the most compelling and atmospheric Assassin’s Creed worlds to date.
Feudal Japan
Assassin’s Creed Shadows unfolds in 1579, during Japan’s Sengoku period, when everything is about to change. The country’s on the brink of unification under Lord Oda Nobunaga’s rule, but civil war is still raging, with new alliances and foreign influence shaking things up.
You’ll play as Naoe, a shinobi assassin from Iga, and Yasuke, the African samurai taken under Nobunaga’s wing, who became a real life legend in Japan. It may take some time, but their paths eventually cross as they discover their shared fate in the midst of this chaotic time.
It all kicks off with a stolen box — one Naoe was sworn to protect. This sets her on a brutal, blood-soaked mission for revenge. Think Kill Bill, with a number of high profile targets to eliminate. With every step you take, more questions are raised about whether you’re making the right call.
The world feels alive and full of detail. I was in awe while exploring places like Kyoto and Osaka, with stunning castles, sea ports, and gardens to frolic and parkour through. The game also shows the influence of Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries, bringing new tech and religion to Japan — and of course the Creed. It all sets the stage for an epic storyline and adventure.
The main story is packed with twists and surprises. Characters you thought were heroes reveal their darker sides, and just when you think you’ve got things figured out, the game flips the script again.
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Some will be pleased to hear that the Animus takes quite the back seat in the game. Sure, it’s still present. You’ll find glitches and keys to collect, but the focus is on Naoe and Yasuke’s journey; their stories take center stage, letting you experience a critical moment in Japan’s history.
Naoe & Yasuke
Naoe and Yasuke bring a refreshing dynamic to Shadows, balancing playful personalities with the seriousness of their mission. Naoe kicks things off, embodying everything you’d expect from a stealthy shinobi. She’s resourceful and precise, picking her moments as she explores the world and uncovers its secrets. There’s something satisfying about watching her progression — from shaky leaps of faith in the flashbacks to mastering them with style later in the story.
Yasuke, however, doesn’t truly enter the spotlight until Act 2. And while I was eager to play as him much sooner, I eventually understood the choice. Yasuke is a force to be reckoned with — a tank who cuts through enemies like they’re made of paper. Dropping him in too early would’ve made the opening hours too easy, so the delay makes his arrival feel earned.
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Switching between Naoe and Yasuke is super simple, though it does come with a brief loading screen, and while their banter is lighthearted (and awkwardly charming), the game makes space for meaningful moments. A quiet rest stop here, a shared glance there — it’s these little touches that give me the warm fuzzies.
I would’ve loved to have seen more synergy in combat — perhaps the ability to call in Yasuke for a haymaker or Naoe to throw a shuriken and knock back an enemy — but both playstyles are self contained.
Quests: Chaos, Charm, and Choice
Shadows keeps you busy. From sneaking into castle and assassinations to collecting flower seeds for a love interest, the sheer number of quests can feel a little overwhelming at times. But there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re into ticking off side missions, collecting treasures or hunting down key targets.
The variety extends to the map itself. Some regions are home to tougher enemies, giving you the freedom to challenge yourself if you’re feeling ambitious (or stubborn). Even the earlier areas get harder as you progress; the game keeps its tension intact by evolving alongside you.
Shadows also delivers memorable moments sprinkled throughout its quests. One such moment came when I stumbled upon a high-level gang leader deep in a forest. Though not a standout quest, it was a nice test of strategy and a reminder of how unpredictable the game can be.
Then there’s the Sakai tea ceremony — a questline that perfectly captures Shadows’ ability to blend culture and gameplay. From learning the craft to chasing down your target, it’s a beautifully paced sequence with a satisfying conclusion.
Of course, not everything lands. One quest sees Yasuke return to Iga, where he meets a resident who blames him for its destruction. The premise was strong, but the pacing fell flat.
The quest ended abruptly, leaving you with the option to stick around and flirt (which I did) — but their connection felt completely random.Between Yasuke and Naoe, they are certainly kept busy on their journey…
There’s also a staggering number of collectibles scattered across the map, though they’re a bit of a mixed bag. I kept finding intriguing objects early on, but it wasn’t until particular quests popped up some 40 hours in that I realised their relevance.
While collecting them all was satisfying, I wish there had been some reasoning or context provided sooner — it would’ve made hunting them down feel more purposeful from the start.
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Still, for every misstep, there’s a quirky or memorable moment. Whether it’s carrying a sleepy man up the stairs of a shrine or duelling a watermelon helmet wearing farmer, Shadows delivers a mix of heartfelt and epic moments that’ll keep you invested.
Exploration & World
This is, hands down, my favourite Assassin’s Creed world. Every corner, every hill offers a new moment of wonder. It’s massive — comparable to the scale of Assassin’s Creed Origins — and yet it never truly feels like a slog.
At the time of writing this, I still have dozens of incomplete objectives, but I’m grateful that my 80 hours of back to back game time has still left me something to enjoy after the review period. The world invites you to explore, rewarding curiosity at every turn.
You can bush-bash your way up nearly any mountain, sure, there’s some perfectly good paths… But why use a path when you can frustratingly slide down hillside until you find the right spot? Some steep climbs will test your patience, but I always found a way up. There’s a satisfying sense of freedom that makes every detour worth it.
Pro tip: use your mount in steep areas — it’s a lifesaver, especially in the snow.
Praying at shrines is another neat addition, granting temporary buffs like health and damage boosts. I didn’t always manage to capitalise on them, but being able to place shrines at your hideout for easier tracking was a nice touch.
There’s Jizo statues scattered throughout the world, I recommend stopping and praying at every single one — not only do they off a little XP boost, there’s a quest you’ll discover down the line to find them all and you’ll save yourself the hassle.
That said, exploring isn’t always peaceful — the occasional enemy will ambush you when you least expect it, leaping out from bushes and keeping you on edge. The unpredictability makes the world feel alive.
Hideout
Like Valhalla, the hideout is back. At first, it felt overwhelming — a lot to take in with all its different building types, followers, and customisation options. But as the game progressed, it became essential. You gather allies, many of whom can join you in fights, and use the forge to upgrade your weapons. It’s where everything starts coming together.
And, of course, I filled my hideout with as many kittens as I possibly could. They’re adorable, though I did hit the object limit sooner than I would’ve liked. Still, personalising your base feels rewarding, even with the restrictions. It’s not just a hub — it’s a place that grows with you over time.
You can also purchase little hideouts in most towns, allows you to unlock a new fast travel point in addition to a location to stock up on supplies before venturing out again. At just 800 Mon a pop, I was sure to buy them all.
Photo Mode
If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you know I’m an absolute sucker for a photo mode — Shadows is the perfect game to feed my addiction.
The mode features various filters, stickers, colour settings, depth of field and aperture settings, and a sweet little “auto-focus” — not often seen in photo modes.
Here’s some of my favourite snaps:
The game’s wildlife is particularly of interest, I spent hours capturing images of the creatures of Shadows. I’ve put together a separate article highlighting all the incredible animals I’ve seen.
Combat & Stealth
Slashing, shooting and stabbing and your way across mainland Japan feels brutal and precise.There’s a decent variety of enemies to take on, including big boys with bats and monks trained with spears.
For those craving a real test, crank up the difficulty. On higher settings, enemies are sharper, faster, and much harder to fool. I’ll admit, I couldn’t do it in expert mode… Normal difficulty provided enough of a challenge at times!
Naoe and Yasuke each have their own skill trees brimming with brutal abilities to unlock. Naoe’s stealthy flair shines with a move that slows time, allowing her to weave through a group of enemies, find cover, or take them out one by one with surgical precision.She’s also got an ability to dodge every move thrown at her while wielding the tanto — very OP!
Yasuke, on the other hand, brings raw strength to the table. His kick is devastating — launching foes through the air with sheer force, turning every strike into a showstopper. There’s even a trophy for sending an enemy flying off a high place to their death.
Naoe and Yasuke will need to complete short prayer or collection sequences at temples, in addition to meditation tasks to earn knowledge points — this is how you expand and unlock new moves. It’s a good way to get the player to explore the world.
Every weapon carries its own weight and personality, making combat highly satisfying.
Naoe’s arsenal includes the katana, kusarigama, and tanto, as well as throwable kunai and shuriken. Naturally, she’s equipped with the signature hidden blade for those iconic AC stealth kills.
Yasuke, meanwhile, brings raw power to the battlefield with his long katana, naginata, and kanabo. He also has access to ranged weapons like the bow (with poison, silent, and serrated arrows) and the teppo, which boasts shrapnel, concussion, and steel ammo types.
Yasuke is a powerhouse capable of cutting down enemies with ease. But he’s not invincible, and plenty of enemies are more than capable of putting him in his place if you’re not careful. He makes heads roll with almost no effort, though the violence is limited to occasional decapitations rather than full-on dismemberment.
The enemy AI in Assassin’s Creed Shadows didn’t exactly blow me away. Some combat sequences deliver challenging battles, but sneaking through bushes or hiding in long grass hasn’t evolved much from previous games in the series.
In one instance, a ronin spotted me on a path outside of a village, and the alert bar started filling. I ran and dove into long grass — right in front of him — and somehow he lost sight of me. After a brief search, I leapt up and assassinated him in one swift, satisfying strike. It was a bit dumb, but the pay off was entertaining.
Assassinations & Contracts
Assassination contracts are a breath of fresh air, ditching the overly guided approach for something more engaging. Instead of being led straight to your target, you’re given a last-sighted location and a clue, like “he is involved in oil trading.”
It’s up to the player to piece everything together, and hunting them down on your own feels far more rewarding than following an arrow or illuminated path. For a little help, you can use scouts to pinpoint your target’s exact position — once you’ve narrowed down the search area.
Taking down a major target triggers an old school assassination animation, complete with stylised sequences and bright red ink standing in for blood. It’s a nostalgic nod that adds flair to each kill.
There are dozens of assassination contracts to take on in Shadows — almost too many! I’ve still got quite a few to take on. If Assassin wasn’t in the name, I’d think the devs had a serious assassination fetish.
Visuals & Graphics
I could bang on about how good this game looks all day…
Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers the most stunning depiction of Feudal Japan in gaming yet. Lighting is masterfully done — god rays filter through trees, raindrops leave ripples in puddles, and water continues to drip from awnings after the storm clears. The level of detail is incredible, right down to the blood spatter on walls and floors that would make Dexter Morgan proud.
The DualSense controller also adds to the immersion — sword clashes ring out from the built-in speaker, while the haptics let you feel the weight of the rain. It’s a neat feature exclusive to PlayStation users.
Performance & Polish
For a game this massive, it’s impressively polished. While I did encounter the occasional texture-loading issue, quirky bug and one major crash, these moments were few and far between. There’s a Day 1 patch flagged to iron out some of the minor quirks I experienced.
I’ve been playing on the PS5 Pro in “balanced” mode, and honestly, it’s hard to find anything to complain about. The game runs beautifully.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is a perfect mix of Western battle anthems and traditional Japanese melodies, capturing the game’s cultural duality. One late-game quest even revolves heavily around music, which is a unique and memorable touch.
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The soundtrack itself is well worth a listen outside the game — so much so that I had it playing on Spotify while writing this review.
Should you buy Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t just capture Feudal Japan — it immerses you in it. From breathtaking landscapes to intricate gameplay systems, it’s a game that understands the value of exploration, storytelling, and letting players carve their own path.
While it has its quirks — no massive open-world game is perfect — it delivers an experience that feels fresh and refined, even after all these years of Assassin’s Creed.
Whether you’re duelling a watermelon farmer, leaping off a mountain and landing in a bundle of hay, or simply pausing to soak in the view from a temple rooftop, Shadows knows how to make every moment count. It’s a reminder of why we play games in the first place — to escape, to explore, and to create our own stories in worlds far from our own.
It’s all I can think about and I can’t wait for my next session. If Shadows is the direction and quality Ubisoft is offering for the future, consider me all in.
Quest Daily scores Assassin’s Creed Shadows:
9/10
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 9 out of 10.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on March 20th.
Early access to Assassin’s Creed Shadows was supplied to Quest Daily by Ubisoft ANZ for the purpose of this review.
