Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally arriving on March 20th, 2025, and it takes players to feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. Fans have been asking for a Japan setting for years, and now Ubisoft is making it happen. This could be one of the most exciting Assassin’s Creed games yet. Here are the things you need to know before playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Table of Contents
1. Two Unique Playable Characters
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a first for the series, two distinct protagonists with completely different playstyles that you can switch between:
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
 Yasuke | Based on the historical African samurai, Yasuke focuses on power and direct combat. As Yasuke, you’ll master weapons like katanas, war clubs, naginata (polearms), arquebus (firearm), and bows. His gameplay focuses on powerful, precise attacks, making him a great choice for players who like to fight head-on. |
 Fujibayashi Naoe | A skilled shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, Naoe emphasizes stealth and agility. Playing as Naoe gives you access to the traditional hidden blade, throwing weapons (kunai and shuriken), smoke bombs, and a grappling hook for enhanced mobility. She’s ideal for players who prefer the classic Assassin’s Creed stealth approach. |
What makes the two-character system special is that each one has their own skills, gear, and stats. You can choose which character to use for each mission, so you can play the way you like best and take on challenges your own way.
2. A Return to Focused Open World Design
Unlike the huge worlds of Valhalla and Odyssey, Shadows keeps things more focused like in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Most of the game takes place on the island of Awaji and nearby parts of Japan, giving you a smaller but more detailed world to explore.
The developers have emphasized that they “didn’t want to hold the player’s hand too much with icons and markers.” This means exploration feels more natural. You’ll need to observe your environment, gather information from NPCs and spies, and use your own eyes to discover secrets rather than following an endless trail of map markers.
3. Combat and Stealth Systems
Combat in Assassin’s Creed Shadows blends the best elements from previous games while adding new depth:
| Character | Combat Details |
|---|---|
 Yasuke | • Focus on timing blocks, parries, and powerful counterattacks. • Master different weapon types with unique fighting styles. • Use powerful but loud stealth kills that might alert nearby enemies. |
 Fujibayashi Naoe | • Take advantage of environmental elements like noise, light, and shadows. • Use the new grappling hook for vertical movement and quick escapes. • More dynamic stealth challenges. • The kusarigama is a new weapon type for Naoe, adding versatility to her arsenal. |
4. Gear and Progression System
Assassin’s Creed Shadows features a deep gear system where different outfits and equipment grant specific abilities and advantages:
- Each character has their own progression path and skill trees.
- Gear can be upgraded and customized to match your playstyle.
- Special armor sets provide unique bonuses when complete.
- Weapons can be enhanced with different properties.
This system allows you to tailor each character to your preferences, whether you want to maximize Yasuke’s damage output or enhance Naoe’s stealth capabilities.
5. Historical Setting and Story
Set during Japan’s late Sengoku period (late 16th century), Shadows immerses you in a time of political war and change. The story follows Yasuke and Naoe as they uncover a shared destiny and play a part in shaping the future of Japan.
The game takes you through varied environments like castles, port cities, mountains, rural villages, and forests. Shadow’s main quest will run approximately 40 hours, with additional side content that expands on the historical setting and characters.
6. Technical Details and Availability
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series XS
- Windows PC (via Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store)
- Macs with Apple Silicon (via the Mac App Store)
- Amazon Luna
- iPad (coming later)
Early reviews have been promising, with Metacritic scores of 81 on PS5. The game includes more than 10 hours of additional content beyond the main story, including special missions and historical discoveries. With its dual protagonist system, focused world design, and deep combat mechanics, Shadows might be a fresh start the series needs after skipping a release in 2024. Are you ready to experience feudal Japan through the eyes of Yasuke and Naoe?
