Review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows: How Ubisoft Learned to Embrace Imperfection

You’ve probably heard of the Japanese art form known as “kintsugi,” which translates to “golden repair.” It’s a blend of philosophy and art, focusing on fixing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The intent of kintsugi isn’t to disguise the damage but to highlight it, celebrating a piece’s unique history through its repaired form.

When playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you get the sense that Ubisoft is attempting its own kind of ‘kintsugi’ with its long-running franchise, now in its 18th year. The game doesn’t shy away from its flaws—like the busy UI, overstuffed map screen, awkward parkour, and clumsy combat. Ubisoft seems aware of these issues but rather than concealing them, the developer embraces them. For every frustrating mission or element, there’s an equally stunning sequence that rivals the best parts of the series. In every imperfection, there’s a glint of gold.

One of the highlights of the Assassin’s Creed games post-reboot (from Origins onward) is the objective screen flooded with targets. In Shadows’ setting of Sengoku-era Japan, you’ll be facing shadowy organizations aplenty. It’s like a never-ending board of targets waiting to be eliminated, which gives meaning to those long horseback journeys across the game’s open world. The main story pushes you to eliminate 13 foes in a gripping revenge tale, while endless side quests tempt you with subtle variations, making each encounter unique. Instead of tedious tailing missions, it’s an invitation to think creatively about how to hunt down each target.

Shadows gives you two protagonists to experience this world of conflict through: the swift and agile Naoe and the powerhouse Yasuke. Ubisoft clearly knows that the thrill of combat is a major draw in Shadows. The mechanics feel familiar from previous entries like Origins, but the way they connect the player to the world is what truly engages. Whether you prefer stealthily eliminating foes with Naoe’s kunai or going head-on with Yasuke’s brute strength, the game offers varied approaches to its combat scenarios.

Though the AI might not be the sharpest and collision physics can be quirky at times, these minor annoyances are soon forgotten when you execute a perfectly timed maneuver or see the hats of your enemies fly in funny, satisfying arcs. The balance between serious gameplay and light-hearted moments is joyfully orchestrated.

The narrative stands on its own, too. Playing in Immersive Mode with Japanese/Portuguese dialogue (and English subtitles) enhances the experience, as the English voiceover can sometimes feel out of place. Ubisoft’s cinematics team deserves accolades for its art direction, rivaling some of the series’ finest moments. The soundtrack, with contributions from Japanese psych-rock band TEKE TEKE, injects a unique energy into key scenes, reminiscent of Tarantino’s best.

However, it takes some time to truly dive into the game’s core. Around a dozen hours in, following a detailed prologue, the world opens up and becomes fully engaging as you get accustomed to controlling Naoe and eventually Yasuke. Swapping between characters is expertly paced, allowing players to explore different styles and strategies. While I might lean towards Naoe’s stealth tactics 70% of the time, switching to Yasuke always brought a smile to my face, knowing I would wreak havoc soon after.

Ubisoft has also shaken up the traditional collect-a-thon aspects of Assassin’s Creed. Shadows deconstructs and reconstructs them into more rewarding quests, like gathering origami cranes, which unfold in surprising ways. The base-building mechanic, though not essential, is rewarding and reminiscent of Brotherhood’s better features, enhancing your home base and enriching your arsenal.

While some tasks, like engaging with temples or meditation, may seem mundane, they surprisingly complement the game’s rhythm. After intense battles, these quieter, reflective moments let you soak in the serene environment Ubisoft beautifully crafted. Stopping to listen to nature’s soundtrack while appreciating the Japanese landscape is an experience in itself.

The game is visually stunning, too. Playing on a PS5 Pro in Quality mode, the visuals were mesmerizing. Each session had me setting down the controller to admire the gorgeous landscapes. Whether it’s the vibrant autumn hues or the seasonal shifts, Shadows offers a visual feast, making Japan an irresistible setting for the series, possibly surpassing even Odyssey in grandeur.

While Ubisoft promised the seasons would significantly influence gameplay, this aspect felt minor in practice. Although slipping in winter snow was occasionally annoying, the seasonal visuals provided delightful variety for exploration, even if they didn’t drastically change my approach.

Shadows embodies the spirit of ‘kintsugi’ and ‘wabi-sabi’—accepting imperfections and embracing transience. The familiar yet flawed mechanics of Assassin’s Creed are presented unaltered, shining in their own right within this context. Despite its challenges, the game’s narrative and gratifying gameplay loop keep you engaged, offering a sense of progress akin to modern roguelikes.

At this point, I relish discovering the game’s blemishes, as they often lead to unexpected delights. This speaks volumes about the game’s artistry, a special achievement in the gaming world.

Set to release on March 20, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will arrive on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC, following a minor delay earlier this year.