Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review Round-Up: What Critics Are Saying

The latest instalment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise has finally landed, and critics are diving deep into its stunning world, refined stealth mechanics, and ambitious dual-protagonist storytelling. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been widely praised for bringing feudal Japan to life, it hasn’t escaped criticism—particularly for its familiar RPG structure and mission design. So, is this the stealth-focused return to form longtime fans have been waiting for, or another open-world epic that doesn’t quite know when to stop?

A Solid Start, But Divided Opinions on Scope and Execution

With a Metacritic score of 82, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been well received, though not without reservations. The general consensus highlights two major strengths: its richly detailed historical setting and its deeply satisfying stealth gameplay, which many critics argue is the best the series has seen in years. However, despite these achievements, there’s been an ongoing debate about whether Shadows still leans too heavily on Ubisoft’s open-world RPG formula, leaving parts of the experience feeling padded rather than focused.

Critics at Polygon and Kotaku have noted that while Shadows excels in its moment-to-moment gameplay, the overall structure of the game remains familiar to anyone who’s played Origins, Odyssey, or Valhalla. Missions often follow a predictable pattern, and while the world itself is brimming with beauty, it sometimes struggles to maintain momentum. On the other hand, PC Gamer has argued that the strength of the stealth mechanics alone makes up for any structural shortcomings, calling it “the most fun I’ve had in a stealth game in a decade.”

What’s clear is that Shadows is being viewed as one of the strongest entries in the modern RPG era of Assassin’s Creed, even if it hasn’t fully broken away from the design tropes that have defined the series in recent years.

A Tale of Two Assassins – Powerful, But Occasionally Unbalanced

One of Shadows’ defining features is its dual-protagonist structure, allowing players to experience the game through the stealthy, nimble Naoe and the brutal, samurai-inspired Yasuke. This mechanic has been widely praised, particularly for how it offers distinct gameplay styles that cater to different player preferences.

Yasuke’s story, in particular, has been at the centre of critical discussions. The Times has described his arc as one of the most compelling in Assassin’s Creed history, largely because of his unique perspective as an African warrior navigating the complexities of feudal Japan. His role brings a depth that feels fresh, and his combat-heavy playstyle offers a different kind of satisfaction compared to Naoe’s more traditional assassin approach.

However, some critics feel that Naoe’s character doesn’t get as much room to shine, despite her being the more stealth-focused, assassin-like figure. GameSpot has pointed out that her narrative often feels overshadowed by Yasuke’s grander journey, making the game feel slightly imbalanced at times. Polygon has echoed this concern, arguing that while Yasuke’s story is engaging, Naoe’s feels underdeveloped in comparison, which is ironic given that her stealth mechanics are among the most refined in the series.

Despite this, most reviews agree that the dual-character system adds more than it takes away, providing variety and reinforcing the game’s thematic contrast between the shinobi and samurai ways of life.

Stealth at Its Best, But the RPG Bloat Persists

One of the most universally praised aspects of Shadows is its stealth gameplay, which many critics believe is the best the franchise has seen in years. Ubisoft has clearly put a lot of effort into refining movement, enemy AI, and assassination mechanics, making stealth not just an option—but often the most satisfying way to play.

IGN has highlighted the grappling hook as a game-changer, allowing for faster, more dynamic movement across rooftops. PC Gamer has pointed out how enemy AI feels more reactive and intelligent, making stealth encounters more engaging and rewarding than in previous titles. This isn’t just a return to form—it’s an evolution of what made early Assassin’s Creed games great.

But while the core mechanics have been tightened, the larger RPG structure remains divisive. Some critics feel that the levelling system, upgrade trees, and mission design still follow the same bloated formula from past games, leading to moments of grind rather than organic progression.

Polygon has argued that despite the advancements in stealth, the reliance on RPG elements means players will still be forced into unnecessary grinding, a trend that has persisted since Origins. Kotaku similarly notes that while the stealth is stronger than ever, the overall game loop still suffers from repetitive mission structures that fail to evolve as the story progresses.

This divide highlights the ongoing struggle within the Assassin’s Creed franchise—how to balance stealth-driven gameplay with the open-world RPG framework that Ubisoft has committed to.

Feudal Japan as the Ultimate Assassin’s Playground

While the gameplay structure has sparked debate, one thing critics universally agree on is that feudal Japan is an absolutely stunning setting for the series.

The Guardian has described Shadows as one of the most visually breathtaking historical recreations in modern gaming, with attention to detail that goes beyond just aesthetics. The world feels alive, with NPC interactions, environmental storytelling, and cultural rituals creating a deeply immersive experience.

GameSpot has praised how every district, temple, and battlefield has a distinct sense of history and authenticity, making exploration a joy even when the mission design occasionally falters. Ubisoft’s meticulous research shines through, capturing both the elegance and brutality of the Sengoku period.

However, while the world-building is top-tier, the inclusion of the historical figure Yasuke has sparked discussion. Some critics, like those at Kotaku, have praised the game for introducing diversity into a setting that has rarely been explored in mainstream gaming. Others, like TheGamer, have pointed out that historical liberties taken with Yasuke’s story might feel at odds with Ubisoft’s usual attention to realism. Still, most agree that Shadows presents one of the most immersive Assassin’s Creed worlds to date, setting a new standard for historical detail.

A Smooth Launch, But Some Technical Hiccups

Unlike some past Ubisoft releases that have been plagued with technical issues at launch, Shadows has been relatively stable across platforms. Push Square has praised the game’s smooth performance on PS5, while PC Gamer has reported that mid-range PCs can maintain a solid 60FPS experience at 1080p with medium settings. However, there have been some reports of stuttering on Xbox Series X, which Ubisoft has already begun addressing with post-launch patches.

While not perfect, the technical performance is far better than some previous Assassin’s Creed launches, making for a smoother experience overall.

A Step Forward, But Not Without Its Flaws

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a beautiful, engaging, and mechanically refined entry in the franchise. Its stealth gameplay is the best it has ever been, its world-building is top-tier, and its dual protagonists add a fresh dynamic to the series. But for all its strengths, it still carries some of the baggage from Ubisoft’s open-world formula—namely, repetitive mission structures and RPG elements that sometimes get in the way of its best mechanics.

For longtime fans of stealth-focused Assassin’s Creed, this might be the game they’ve been waiting for. For those burnt out on Ubisoft’s RPG-heavy approach, Shadows might still feel like familiar territory. Either way, it’s clear that the franchise has found new life in feudal Japan—even if it hasn’t fully shaken off its past.