By Javier Picazo Feliú
Madrid, Mar 18 (EFE).- The “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, one of the best-selling in video game history, with over 230 million copies sold worldwide, is finally delving into feudal Japan with “Shadows,” its most ambitious installment yet.
Combining breathtaking landscapes with deeper, more varied gameplay, Ubisoft’s latest entry offers an immersive samurai-era experience like never before.
The “Assassin’s Creed” franchise has already taken players to Crusader-era Jerusalem, Pharaonic Egypt, and Medici Florence. But fans have long dreamed of a journey to feudal Japan, which has finally come true in its most ambitious installment yet.
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” reinvents the franchise’s success formula, enhancing its already stunning landscapes with improved gameplay that is deeper and more varied than ever.
Ubisoft has chosen the unification of Japan as the setting for its latest game, specifically the Azuchi-Momoyama era (1573–1603), creating a deeply immersive and enjoyable experience.
The story returns to the romanticized and turbulent period of Japanese history, marked by the rise of major cities, samurai warriors, ninjas, and power struggles between clans, castles, temples, and legends.
From the outset, players will feel like they are in a first-person samurai movie, embarking on a vast adventure that takes approximately 50 hours to complete the main story and over 100 hours to finish all achievements and side quests.
Rather than restricting players to a single character, “Shadows” allows them, after an extensive tutorial and completing a significant portion of the game, to choose between a samurai warrior (Yasuke) and a shinobi ninja (Naoe) for each mission.
Inspired by the true story of a legendary African samurai, Yasuke employs a direct, melee combat style, while Naoe relies on stealth, with main innovation being a Spider-Man-style grappling hook for swift movement.
«We have two iconic characters. We can play one or the other. But both characters are selectable at a certain point in the game, and once the storyline opens up that possibility, you can choose,» Jonathan Dumont, the game’s creative director, told EFE.
Dumont noted that each has specific missions, different weapons, and a unique style, but most of the game can be completed with either.
The game’s locations are visually stunning and teeming with life, featuring faithfully recreated landmarks such as Kyoto’s Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), the Azuchi and Himeji castles, and the Koyasan Buddhist temple.
A new graphics engine enhances realism and smoothness, introducing a dynamic seasonal system that affects gameplay, snow-covered areas provide no cover, and frozen ponds prevent swimming.
“Assassin’s Creed Shadows” launches on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC/Mac on Mar. 20, following a delay of several months. While the plot takes time to unfold, it delivers intense drama, tension, revenge, and brutal action.
The game features a deeply immersive, role playing progressive-style combat system where bloodshed is a constant, reminiscent of 1960s samurai films, though players can adjust settings to reduce the gore.
«Hideouts» serve as strategic hubs, fully customizable with options to add buildings, modify aesthetics, upgrade facilities, and hire staff.
“Shadows” is vast and at times overwhelming, so much so that following the main quests can be confusing, and players may occasionally get disoriented.
The game boasts a massive, ever-evolving open world filled with hundreds of characters, side quests, unpredictable plot twists, an impeccable graphics engine, and relentless action.
All these elements will thrill fans of the franchise and Japanese history enthusiasts alike, offering both an epic adventure and an interactive encyclopedia of feudal Japan. EFE
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