The highly anticipated Assassin's Creed Shadows arrives on March 20th for Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC, bringing Ubisoft's franchise to feudal Japan. Early critical reviews have already been published and show a well-received game, albeit with some reservations. While the setting and protagonists have earned praise, the main story hasn't pleased everyone.
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On review aggregators, the game has an average score of 81 to 82 out of 100. On Metacritic , the current score is 82 based on 120 reviews, while on OpenCritic , the average is 81 based on 114 reviews. See the scores and main comments for each publication below.
GamingTrend – Score: 100
The most enthusiastic review came from GamingTrend, which called Assassin's Creed Shadows a milestone for the franchise. The website highlighted the series' fusion of classic and modern elements, as well as its graphical quality and narrative depth. According to the review, the game represents "a new standard" for Assassin's Creed and sets a high bar for future titles in the saga.
CGMagazine – Rating: 90
CGMagazine also gave the game a very positive review. The review highlighted the immersive feel of the feudal Japan setting, as well as the refined combat and stealth mechanics. The website noted that the title respects the series' tradition while evolving its formula.
Hobby Consoles – Rating: 90
Another publication that gave the game a 90 was Hobby Consolas, which praised the vastness of the open world and the level of detail. The review emphasized that the gameplay offers a rich experience for both those who prefer stealth and those who enjoy direct combat.
TheSixthAxis – Score: 90
For TheSixthAxis, the wait for an Assassin's Creed game set in feudal Japan was worth it. The website called the game "surprising" and praised its size, richness of detail, and historical accuracy. The review stated that Shadows is among the best games in the series.
WellPlayed – Score: 85
WellPlayed gave the game an 85, highlighting the character development and the freedom of gameplay. However, the review noted that the narrative doesn't reach the same level of excellence as the setting.
GamesRadar+ – Score: 80
GamesRadar+ praised the game's overall experience, but noted that it may not be enough to convince those tired of the Assassin's Creed formula. Still, the publication reinforced that Shadows is among the best titles in the franchise's RPG phase.
Push Square – Score: 80
Push Square noted that while the game won't win over those who've already felt saturated with the series' previous titles, it still stands out among open-world RPGs. The narrative and protagonists were the most praised aspects.
VGC – Score: 80
For VGC, Assassin's Creed Shadows finally fulfills fans' desire for a game set in feudal Japan. The reviewers considered the game delivered on its essentials, with engaging gameplay and a beautiful open world. The review noted that the game may not save Ubisoft from its recent difficulties, but it reinforces the franchise's strength.
IGN – Rating: 80
IGN gave the game an 80 and highlighted its balance between combat and stealth. Despite its high technical quality, the review noted that Shadows doesn't offer many innovations and may not be as surprising to those who have played previous titles in the series.
Gamepressure – Rating: 70
Gamepressure's review was more critical, giving the game a 70. The site praised the stealth system and combat, but noted that the story and exploration were uninspired. The review concluded that fans of the series may find something valuable in the game, but that it's unlikely to win over new players.
PC Games – Score: 70
PC Games also gave it a 70 and stated that, while the game is fun, it doesn't stand out within the franchise. The website compared Shadows to previous titles and concluded that, despite its qualities, it doesn't reach the level of Kassandra's adventure in Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
PlayStation Lifestyle – Rating: 70
PlayStation Lifestyle followed suit with its 70 ratings, noting that the game offers exciting moments but lacks innovation. The plot was one of the most criticized aspects.
The New York Times – Rating: 65
The lowest rating came from The New York Times, which gave the game a 65. The review criticized the story's pacing and some repetitive gameplay. The website noted that, while the game has positive aspects, it failed to fully utilize the potential of its feudal Japan setting.
Expectations for the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows
Early reviews of Assassin's Creed Shadows reveal a technically impressive game, but one that won't appeal to everyone. While the setting and protagonists have received consistent praise, the main story has been criticized by some outlets.
With a release date set for March 20th, the game has the potential to be one of Ubisoft's biggest hits this year. Public reception will be crucial in determining the title's impact on the franchise.
