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Assassin's Creed: Shadows | Review Thread

What scores do you think Assassin's Creed: Shadows will get?

  • 65-69%

    Votes: 7 2.5%
  • 70-74%

    Votes: 14 4.9%
  • 75-79%

    Votes: 38 13.3%
  • 80-84%

    Votes: 133 46.7%
  • 85-89%

    Votes: 77 27.0%
  • 90-94%

    Votes: 12 4.2%
  • 95-100%

    Votes: 4 1.4%

  • Total voters
    285
  • Poll closed .

MMaRsu

Member
i worry that the mediocre reviews for this game is going to make Rockstar hesitant with GTA VI, and the declining popularity of open world gaming, do you think that will be a concern?
Absolutely not. Rockstar is in a league of their own and if GTA 6 releases this year, and it looks good, you can bet your ass that they will sell over 10 million copies this year, maybe in a month even
 
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GudOlRub

Member
i worry that the mediocre reviews for this game is going to make Rockstar hesitant with GTA VI, and the declining popularity of open world gaming, do you think that will be a concern?
GTA VI's trailer reached 100M views in 24 hours back in December 2023, many people were already fed up with ubisoft generic open worlds by then, and it's not like this matters anyway.
Every single game releasing now could be an open world and it still would not affect GTA VI's sales, gta games are in a different league compared to every other entertainment product.

Hell, personally speaking, other than Death Stranding 2, the thing I'm currently most excited for in gaming is GTA 6's trailer 2 and eventual gameplay showcases which must be coming out any day now if the fall 2025 release date remains in place.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
well good then. It needed a break from the tailing mission.
The only thing I am worried about is .... who to paly with? Whose story is this ?!

Based on the little I've read so far, it sounds like the girl has a more personal connection with a murdered parent plot.

But that could very well be because Ubi kinda gave into the online stuff and almost entirely stopped marketing Yosuke a while ago, so I have little to no idea what his plot in the game is
 

bender

What time is it?
That's what I think as well. Personally I'm going to pick my battles on woke/politics in games and this one.....this ain't it.

You have dishonored glorious Nippon.

2400299.jpg
 

saintjules

Gold Member
My girlfriend is sitting next to me, and after reading some comments, she was wondering why people are so disappointed. An 83 out of 100 is a great score.We’ve developed such a weird mindset in this industry, if a game doesn’t score 90+, it’s automatically considered not worth it, which honestly doesn’t make sense. What I dont like from some of the footage I have seen is the enemies dont react sometimes when being hit with weapons, its a bit off putting

Anyway, I think these reviews are solid enough, and I’m definitely going to play it

People are weird when it's about numbered scores.

I never buy games because of numbers. I buy games that I see myself playing or at least willing to give a shot to. Though I do understand that money is usually one of the main factors that contribute to one's decision in buying a game.
 

thegame983

Member
Asking for a friend: does anyone know that if you pre order from a key site (cdkeys/Kinguin), do you get the preorder bonus? (which actually seems quite extensive) The sites themselves say nothing about this.
 

rofif

Can’t Git Gud
The first 12 hours are Naoe only. Later on you can decide if you want to play as her or Yasuke.
really?! That's strange.
12 hours as naoe is a whole game length... and it's just a tutorial/prologue ?!
Does yasuke get his 12 hours too?

If only she gets that, then seems like she is the main character
 

Alebrije

Member
So it seems this game will dissapoint everyone.

its not the Masterpiece UBI needs to send better signals of recovery but at the same time is not the crap/lame Game some people expected.

its an 80 score Game , good but not enought for UBI. Seems it's a decent AC Game but not a GOTY contender.
 

GudOlRub

Member
Is it just me or does anyone else find this scene genuinely funny?
I don't know why but when Naoe was revealed I lost it :messenger_tears_of_joy: :messenger_tears_of_joy:


Anyway, the reviews about the story being mediocre seem to be accurate from what I've see till now unfortunately.
 
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Nydius

Member
The series is approaching nearly 20 years old, at this point it needs to be radically altering the formula beyond just offering "the same, but now open world".

I'm confused by this take because they did 'radically alter' the formula. They went from a stealth-oriented open world to a gear based quasi-RPG open world that didn't give a shit if you played like an assassin or if you went running around playing hack-and-slash with people's heads. Not only that, they basically abandoned the entire Abstergo modern reality story lines and turned them into a budget pretext for playing in a 'historical' sandbox.

How much more radical do you want them to take it?
If they go any further, it will need a completely different name than Assassin's Creed.
 
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adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
I'm confused by this take because they did 'radically alter' the formula. They went from a stealth-oriented open world to a gear based quasi-RPG open world that didn't give a shit if you played like an assassin or if you went running around playing hack-and-slash with people's heads. Not only that, they basically abandoned the entire Abstergo modern reality story lines and turned them into a budget pretext for playing in a 'historical' sandbox.

How much more radical do you want them to take it?
If they go any further, it will need a completely different name than Assassin's Creed.


I guess, to the people who only really got into it because of Origin's success, this is their norm.
 

vodka-bull

Member
Since all these reviews are generic copy paste texts like they‘ve always been for AAA games, I asked ChatGPT to write its own review.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows – A New Dawn for the Creed?

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally brings the franchise to feudal Japan, a setting fans have been demanding for years. With its dual-protagonist system, stunning next-gen visuals, and deep historical immersion, Shadows is an ambitious entry. But does it truly evolve the franchise, or is it another iteration of the now-familiar open-world RPG formula?

Story & Characters

Shadows introduces two playable protagonists: Naoe, a skilled shinobi seeking revenge, and Yasuke, a historical figure and the first recorded Black samurai. Their contrasting fighting styles and personal motivations create an engaging dynamic, offering two distinct perspectives on Japan’s war-torn Sengoku period.

Naoe’s storyline leans into traditional Assassin’s Creed themes—stealth, betrayal, and political intrigue—while Yasuke’s arc offers a fresh take on honor, power, and cultural displacement. The writing is strong, and character interactions feel more personal than in previous entries. However, some story beats fall into predictable revenge tropes, making the narrative compelling but not groundbreaking.

Gameplay & Combat

Ubisoft has refined the RPG mechanics introduced in Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, making combat feel more fluid and weighty. Naoe relies on speed, agility, and assassinations, embodying the classic Assassin playstyle. Yasuke, on the other hand, is a powerhouse, capable of breaking through enemy defenses with brutal strikes. The contrast between them adds variety, but Yasuke’s style sometimes feels at odds with the stealth-focused roots of the series.

Stealth has been improved with new tools, such as shuriken and smoke bombs, and environments are more interactive, allowing for dynamic assassinations. However, enemy AI remains inconsistent—sometimes they react believably, while other times they seem oblivious to bodies lying just a few feet away.

The open-world structure still follows Ubisoft’s familiar formula—side quests, collectibles, and strongholds to conquer—but the level of detail in feudal Japan makes exploration more rewarding. From bustling villages to serene temples, the world feels alive. Activities like tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and training with samurai masters add immersive depth beyond combat.

Visuals & World Design

This is easily one of the most beautiful Assassin’s Creed games ever made. The Anvil engine shines with stunning lighting, atmospheric weather effects, and intricate architecture. The changing seasons affect gameplay—rain can make rooftops slippery, while heavy snowfall impacts movement. Every frame feels like a work of art, capturing the mysticism and brutality of 16th-century Japan.

However, Ubisoft’s insistence on a massive open world means occasional performance issues, even on next-gen hardware. Some frame rate drops and minor texture pop-ins can break immersion, though patches may smooth these out.

The Verdict

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a gorgeous, immersive, and engaging journey into feudal Japan, offering strong storytelling and refined gameplay. While it doesn’t entirely shake off Ubisoft’s open-world fatigue, it successfully blends stealth, action, and historical authenticity in a way that should satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Pros:

✅ Stunning visuals and world design
✅ Two distinct protagonists with unique playstyles
✅ Deeper stealth mechanics and engaging combat
✅ Rich historical setting with cultural depth

Cons:

❌ Ubisoft’s open-world formula still feels repetitive
❌ Occasional AI inconsistencies and performance issues
❌ Some predictable story beats

Final Score: 8.5/10

While Shadows doesn’t completely reinvent the franchise, it’s a step forward—and one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in years.

Tbh I have no idea why editors still get paid for reviews.
 
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Gp1

Member
8/10 from Console Creatures

"Assassin's Creed Shadows provides an unexpected amount of player agency against the Feudal Japan backdrop fans of the series have wanted for ages. Two fleshed out characters come together to deliver one of the best stories in the series yet."

PcGamer: Excellent stealth and combat prevail against Shadows' dull story and forgettable cast.

Lies No GIF by Hollyoaks
 

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
I have played through with both. Well many times sadly as I have had some free time in the past lol. And have found it to be pretty cool in both ways. More noticeable in Odyssey than say Valhalla.
I just think in period pieces, the likelihood of the lady character doing what is asked of the player is far less likely.
 

Karak

Member
I just think in period pieces, the likelihood of the lady character doing what is asked of the player is far less likely.
Interesting. Weirdly my brain doesn't give a fuck usually. But I can see if someone else does.
I played originally as Alex then jumped. Liked both but would not have probably played as the other if I had not had time. I usually choose based on some intangible thing I like or dislike about their model or presentation, or mental fit too though.
 

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
Interesting. Weirdly my brain doesn't give a fuck usually. But I can see if someone else does.
I played originally as Alex then jumped. Liked both but would not have probably played as the other if I had not had time. I usually choose based on some intangible thing I like or dislike about their model or presentation, or mental fit too though.
Now this dude chick in modern times can do the same stuff that’s asked of the player in TLOU2.

7c4d8ac2255c084048e1780fbcdc65aa.jpg
 

Housh

Member
Most of the reviews are on PS5 Pro. Are there any that talk specifically about the PC port? Are AC games typically good PC ports?
 

Karak

Member
What are the odds they are just using Chat GPT and so getting similarly sounding outputs?
Possible but also highly possible they are curbing into typical combined speech(talking to the same people for hours on podcasts, discussion forums, reading the same articles)
Or a combo of both. Though when i just tried to get claude and Gemini and chatgpt to write headlines none of them looked like this. Models differ, as do combined memory depending on use.
Also at least 2 of those writers used that language in podcasts within the last 2 weeks when discussing the game and their thoughts.
 
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Sakura

Member
Possible but also highly possible they are curbing into typical combined speech(talking to the same people for hours on podcasts, discussion forums, reading the same articles)
Or a combo of both. Though when i just tried to get claude and Gemini and chatgpt to write headlines none of them looked like this. Models differ, as do combined memory depending on use.
Also at least 2 of those writers used that language in podcasts within the last 2 weeks when discussing the game and their thoughts.
Not saying they do, but if I was a lazy reviewer I would probably compile my thoughts and stuff on the game, throw it to Chat GPT and have it write a review in a certain tone. Then edit it a bit to be not so obviously AI.
Only reason I mentioned is because AI models have a tendency to use certain terms, or ways of writing, over and over.
Whilst I know these reviewers talk to each other etc, it seems weird they'd all end up using a similar title for their article, I feel like that would be something you'd want to avoid.
 
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