Assassin's Creed Shadows takes players to 16th-century Japan during the brutal final years of the Sengoku period, offering a detailed world rich in historical architecture, seasonal changes, and dynamic lighting. Players control two characters with contrasting styles: Naoe, a nimble shinobi with classic stealth mechanics, and Yasuke, a fictionalised African character based on a novel, built for heavy combat. Naoe brings the familiar thrill of classic Assassin's Creed gameplay, while Yasuke's missions feel sluggish and disconnected from the franchise's roots.
While the story touches on real historical events and figures like Oda Nobunaga, the game struggles with pacing, bugs, and a world that often feels empty. Missions are non-linear and the stealth mechanics have moments of brilliance, but poor character balance and frustrating design choices undercut the experience. Shadows is not a complete failure, but it's a clear step down from what long-time fans have come to expect. There's a decent game buried in here, but it never quite breaks through.
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