Let’s break down everything we already know about the latest instalment in the Assassin's Creed series: Assassins Creed Shadows.
Table of Contents:
Release
The official release date is March 20, 2025 and the game will drop on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC and MacOS. As the game is a next-gen exclusive, it will not be available on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
Pre-orders are already available and include multiple editions:
Standard Edition: Base game
Deluxe Edition: Includes bonus weapons, skins and XP boosts
Collector’s Edition: Includes a statue, art book and exclusive in-game items
Storyline
Set in the late 16th century during Japan’s Azuchi-Momoyama period, the game brings us a storyline full of samurai, ninjas and politics. You will navigate the regions of Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka and the Iga province and enjoy the era’s architecture and culture while fighting warlords and experiencing the rise of the Assassin Brotherhood in Japan.
Dual Protagonists
For the first time in the Assassin's Creed series, you will be introduced to a Dual Protagonist system. That means players can switch between 2 characters which allows you to build a unique playstyle.
Naoe (The Ninja Assassin)
- A kunoichi (female ninja) trained in stealth, parkour, and assassination techniques
- Known as "the fastest Assassin ever"
- Uses agility, deception, and shadow-based tactics
- Equipped with grappling hooks, shurikens and poison darts
Yasuke (The Samurai Warrior)
- Inspired by the real-life African samurai Yasuke
- Focuses on strength, swordplay, and direct combat
- Masters katanas, spears, and heavy armor
Gameplay Features
Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues their well known action-adventure stealth gameplay but enhances it with some additional exciting features.
Stealth and Combat: Utilize shadows to remain unseen, employ a grappling hook for parkour, and master a variety of historically accurate weapons, from katanas to shurikens.
Open World Exploration: Experience a dynamic world with seasonal changes affecting gameplay. For instance, winter introduces frozen landscapes, while spring brings dense nature spots perfect for stealth.
Non-Linear Missions: Approach objectives with flexibility, using your own spy network to gather intelligence and bribing officials to locate targets.
World Design
The game features a large, open-world map showing off Japan with real-life historical locations. You can visit big, populated cities like Kyoto and Osaka or enjoy rural landscapes with castles, villages and shrines. There is also a select amount of secret hideouts for the Assassin Brotherhood. Exploration will be important and you will be able to find a lot of hidden paths and underground tunnels.
Game Length
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will give you a main story campaign which will last approximately 30 to 40 hours. If you are a completionist, then you will be looking at over 80+ hours of gameplay with side missions, collectibles and exploration. A post-launch DLC will allow you to add another 10+ hours of content with an expansion which is set in the Awaji region.
FAQ
- When does Assassin’s Creed Shadows release?
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- March 20, 2025.
- Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows be available on PS4 or Xbox One?
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- No, it’s exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and macOS.
- Who are the main characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
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- Naoe (a ninja assassin) and Yasuke (a samurai warrior).
- How long will the game take to complete?
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- The main story takes around 30-40 hours, while a full completionist run could exceed 80 hours.
- Will there be DLC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
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- Yes, a post-launch expansion set in the Awaji region will be released.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an exciting entry to the franchise and offers a rich open world, deep historical storytelling and a new gameplay mechanic with the Dual Protagonist system. Mark your calendars for March 20, 2025 and be sure to keep an eye out for more great content here on method.gg where we'll have a dedicated section for all things Assassins Creed Shadows to aid you on your journey and make you the most knowledgeable assassin of them all.
