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

You might have heard of the Japanese art of ‘kintsugi,’ which means ‘golden repair.’ It’s a profound blend of philosophy and artistry, focusing on the restoration of broken pottery using a lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The philosophy behind kintsugi is about embracing and showcasing the cracks as part of the item’s history, honoring its unique journey rather than hiding its repairs.

In many ways, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Ubisoft’s version of kintsugi for their 18-year-old saga. While flaws remain—like a cluttered interface, a map filled with excessive icons, and somewhat awkward parkour and combat—Ubisoft seems to embrace these imperfections instead of disguising them, creating an experience that’s rough yet rewarding. Behind every tedious ‘follow this guy’ mission lies a spectacular set-piece, potentially the best in the series. Each crack reveals its own golden lining.

A standout feature of Assassin’s Creed post-reboot era (from Assassin’s Creed Origins onwards) is the expansive objective board teeming with targets. Shadows places you in Sengoku-era Japan, tasking you with dismantling layers of shady organizations—more than ever before. The intricate web of lore and intrigue sprawls, presenting circles of villainy for you to uncover and dismantle.

This is the essence of the open-world appeal; it makes the long horse rides seem worthwhile. Beyond the central plot of eliminating 13 adversaries in a classic revenge tale, the game floods you with engaging side tasks. While these often distill to ‘find and eliminate,’ they offer diverse and satisfying experiences compared to previous iterations’ tedious eavesdropping missions.

Ubisoft smartly gives players both the nimble Naoe and the powerful bruiser Yasuke. Shadows focuses on its combative core. The combat is familiar to fans since Origins, adequate but not revolutionary. The game shines in the choices it offers—play stealthily with Naoe, executing precise strikes with a kunai, or go berserk with Yasuke, crashing through enemies with a kanabo.

No worries if the AI seems lackluster or collision physics falter. The satisfaction of sweeping a larger opponent off their feet and delivering a fatal blow remains unaffected. Witnessing the deceivingly complex visual language of combat—like a foe’s hat flying as their armor falls—is both amusing and gratifying. It’s this blend of seriousness and humor that creates a captivating experience.

Narratively, the game holds up, albeit with some peculiar English voice acting. If subtitles don’t bother you, try the Japanese/Portuguese audio; it echoes the feel of classics like Shogun. Ubisoft’s cinematic storytelling reaches new heights, with early scenes ranking among the series’ finest. Kudos to Japanese psych-rock band TEKE TEKE for injecting their unique flair into key moments.

Yet, there’s a downside: the story takes its time unwinding. It truly unfolds around 12 hours in, after a hefty prologue and extensive exposition. By then, playing as Naoe becomes second nature, just as you begin to master Yasuke.

Character swapping is a stroke of genius in pacing. Whether you’re engrossed in the main plot or scouring the map, seamless transitions offer fresh gameplay dynamics. I leaned towards stealth with Naoe about 70% of the time, but every switch to Yasuke brought excitement—a chance to unleash powerful gear and smash through enemy ranks.

Even elements of the series’ typical formula receive fresh treatment. Collectibles missions, traditionally mundane, are reinvented. Yes, you hunt for origami cranes, but the mission’s revealing narrative makes it something special.

The base-building aspect is subtly rewarding, offering narrative morsels and character depth. It enhances combat experiences and efficiency, drawing parallels to the best elements of Brotherhood without becoming intrusive.

The game’s pace sometimes slows intentionally. Want to unlock more skill tree layers? You’ll need to partake in repetitive tasks like visiting temples or meditating—activities that blend tranquility with tedium.

These slower moments effectively allow players to set their pace. After intense battles, it’s refreshing to enjoy serene moments like listening to cicadas in a forest. It feels genuinely authentic to the series’ portrayal of Japan, as so much of Shadows does.

Visually, Shadows is stunning. Playing on a PS5 Pro in Quality mode, I often found myself pausing to savor the breathtaking vistas. Japan’s seasonal shifts—especially autumn—create a visual tapestry that stands out as my favorite Assassin’s Creed environment ever, surpassing even the grandeur of Odyssey.

Mechanically, seasonal shifts impact gameplay subtly. Ubisoft initially framed them as pivotal for mission approach, but changes are minimal, though visually distinct. Occasionally, winter brings challenges like slipping on snowy mountains, but the picturesque transitions keep journeys through the seasons engaging.

‘Kintsugi’ is linked with ‘wabi-sabi,’ a concept of embracing imperfection and transience. Shadows beautifully captures these principles, accepting its innate flaws—an honest reflection of the Assassin’s Creed formula. Yet, Ubisoft finds ways to illuminate these perceived defects, making them integral to the experience.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has its issues but overflows with fun, a compelling narrative, and a rewarding sense of advancement. Despite its size, this game feels meticulously crafted—a testament to open-world gaming influenced by modern roguelikes. Every action carries weight, tempting you to clear every map marker.

So engaging is the experience that even the game’s shortcomings intrigue, leading to surprises around each corner. In gaming, few accolades match that feeling.

Mark your calendars: Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrives on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC on March 20, 2025, following an unexpected delay earlier this year.