11 Things You Need to Know About Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Feudal Japan has long been one of the most requested settings for an Assassin’s Creed game, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is finally here to deliver. In this game, the Assassins and Templars clash during the peak of the Samurai and Shinobi era. Here are eleven things you need to know about Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Exploring Assassin’s Creed: Shadows — A Journey Through 16th Century Japan

The Historical Setting

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is set in late 16th-century Japan, during the transition from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. This era, known as the Azuchi-Momoyama period, was a pivotal moment in Japanese history. While the Edo period is remembered for its peace and stability, the Sengoku period was infamous for its conflicts and civil wars.

A Pivotal Time in Japanese History

The game explores the complexities of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, which bridged the chaotic Sengoku era and the more peaceful Edo era. Players will experience the cultural and political shifts that shaped Japan during this transformative time.

A Vast and Detailed Map

The map in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is comparable in size to Assassin’s Creed Origins. It is divided into regions that mirror the provinces of 16th-century Japan. Players can explore iconic areas like Hada, Ōmi, and Iga, which is famously known as the cradle of the Shinobi.

Diverse Environments to Explore

The game offers a wide variety of environments, including verdant countryside, bustling urban areas, vast mountain ranges, and dense forests. Each area is designed with intricate detail to immerse players in the world of feudal Japan.

Samurai and Shinobi: Dual Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Dual Protagonists with Unique Playstyles

Shadows featured dual protagonists to choose between Yasuke and Naoe and they feature very different play Styles from One Another centered on their unique skills and combat preferences.

Yasuke: The Samurai Warrior

Yasuke is a groundbreaking addition to the Assassin’s Creed series as the first real historical figure to be a protagonist. An African man brought to Japan in 1579, Yasuke’s real name remains unknown. Renamed by Oda Nobunaga, he became a samurai in Nobunaga’s service. Yasuke’s close association with one of Japan’s most powerful figures during this pivotal period makes him an ideal protagonist for Assassin’s Creed.

Combat Style:

Yasuke is a formidable warrior who thrives in head-to-head combat. Dressed in his full battle regalia, he commands attention wherever he goes. His combat focuses on strength and precision, excelling in stand-up fights with a katana and kabuto. He blocks and parries to create openings, making him a master of direct confrontation.

If you play as Yasuke, prepare for constant battles, as subtlety often takes a back seat to his intimidating presence.

Naoe: The Stealthy Shinobi

For players who prefer a stealthier approach, Naoe is the perfect choice. A Ninja Assassin, Naoe excels at infiltration, capable of slipping undetected into enemy strongholds and completing missions without ever being seen.

Combat Style:

Unlike Yasuke, Naoe focuses on evasive techniques. Instead of blocking or parrying, she uses deflection and agility to avoid attacks. Her signature weapon is the kusarigama—a bladed chain that provides versatility in both combat and navigation.

• Combat Utility: Naoe can swing the chain to fend off groups of enemies when cornered or use it to close the distance to her target.

• Grappling Hook: A key feature in Naoe’s arsenal, the grappling hook lets her swing between locations, scale buildings, and perform aerial assassinations. However, mastering its physics is essential for effective use.

• Non-Lethal Options: For a merciful approach, Naoe can use her kusarigama to knock out innocent bystanders without taking their lives.

Getting Your Bearings in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

A Fresh Take on Exploration

In Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, exploring the world feels more immersive than ever. Unlike previous games, where climbing to a high point revealed map details, this time you’ll need to manually observe your surroundings.

• Spot Landmarks Manually: Instead of automatic synchronization, you’ll have to scan the environment yourself to locate points of interest.

• Use Eagle Vision: Without a magical pet eagle, Eagle Vision becomes your best tool for tracking threats and navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Plan Your Approach

To succeed, you’ll need to rely on classic Assassin techniques:

• Vantage Points: Use high ground to survey areas and plan your moves.

• Crowd Blending: Hide in plain sight to avoid detection.

• Smart Recon: Scout for threats and key locations before taking action.

If stealth isn’t your style, Yasuke can always opt for brute force—he’s great at clearing out enemies head-on.

No Dog is bad

Every Dog Deserves Pets. Yes, you can pet the dogs in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. That’s it. That’s the important detail. Because no dog is bad, and every dog deserves love.

Samurai Yasuke, Mastering Combat

A New Era of Combat

Shadows marks a major evolution in Assassin’s Creed combat, the biggest since Origins. Yasuke, as a samurai, can wield an array of weapons:

• Katanas for precision strikes.

• Inata spears for reach.

• Kanabo war clubs for devastating power.

Breakable Armor Mechanics

Combat takes a tactical turn with breakable armor.

• Enemy armor will glow when vulnerable.

• A well-timed strike can shatter their defenses, leaving them exposed for a finishing blow.

4. Blade-on-Blade Duels

When Yasuke faces other samurai, expect intense, skillful duels.

• Quick Draws: Surprise enemies at the start of combat.

• No Shields: Instead, Yasuke relies on precise parries and counters to gain the upper hand.

• Immersive Combat: Blade-on-blade fighting feels authentic in a Japanese setting.

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows brings innovative mechanics and a fresh combat experience, making it unlike any other game in the series.

Crouching Naoe, Hidden Blade

Naoe’s Stealth-Focused Combat

Naoe might not excel in direct duels, but her stealth-centered combat style brings its own surprises. As a Shinobi, she uses a range of versatile weapons and tools, including:

• Shuriken and Kunai for ranged attacks.

• A deadly katana for precise strikes.

• The Hidden Blade: Naoe’s version folds into a dagger, allowing her to fend off attackers in close quarters.

While Naoe isn’t built for clearing castles full of guards, her combat style emphasizes agility and creativity, making her a stealthy force to be reckoned with. It’s also great to see the iconic Hidden Blade regain its versatility!

Dynamic Seasons in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

For the first time in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows introduces dynamic seasons that affect gameplay beyond visuals.

• Seasonal Changes: Experience spring’s vibrant blooms, summer’s tall grass, autumn’s falling leaves, and winter’s snow-covered landscapes.

• Hiding Spots: Tall grass for stealth in summer disappears in winter, forcing new strategies.

• NPC Behavior: Enemies are less likely to chase you through snow, giving you opportunities to exploit the cold.

Plan your actions carefully—the seasons in Shadows don’t just look stunning; they’ll influence how you play.

The Nonlinear Campaign of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows features a flexible main campaign where progress is made by eliminating assassination targets in any order.

Find Your Targets:

• Do the legwork to uncover their locations and plan your approach.

• Avoid getting Yasuke or Naoe killed by rushing in unprepared.

Spy Network:

Use Yasuke and Naoe’s network of spies to gather intel. Scouts can reveal a target’s location, habits, and other vital details to help you strategize.

Dynamic Encounters:

Targets aren’t static—they’re living their lives in the game world. You might stumble upon them by chance, adding a sense of organic discovery to the campaign.

This nonlinear structure gives players more freedom, making each playthrough feel unique.

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Ending

As Ubisoft continues to reveal more about the gameplay systems, story, and characters in the coming months, there will certainly be plenty more to discover. But you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on a Kanabo or Kusarigama—your choice! Assassin’s Creed: Shadows launches on March 20, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Mac, and Amazon Luna. You can pre-order this game now. For more updates on everything Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, stay tuned, and thanks for reading this blog. I appreciate it.