The highly anticipated Assassin's Creed Shadows arrives on March 20th for Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC, bringing the Ubisoft franchise to feudal Japan. Early critical reviews have already been published, showing a well-received game, but with some reservations. While the setting and protagonists have garnered praise, the main story hasn't pleased everyone.
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On review aggregators, the game averages between 81 and 82 points out of 100. On Metacritic , the current score is 82 based on 120 reviews, while on OpenCritic , the average is 81 points, considering 114 reviews. Check out the scores and main comments from each publication below.
GamingTrend – Rating: 100
The most enthusiastic review came from GamingTrend, which classified Assassin's Creed Shadows as a milestone for the franchise. The site highlighted the fusion of classic and modern elements of the series, as well as the graphic 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.
CG Magazine – Rating: 90
CGMagazine also gave the game a very positive review. The review highlighted the immersion provided by the feudal Japan setting, as well as the refined combat and stealth mechanics. The site pointed out that the title respects the series' tradition while evolving its formula.
Hobby Consoles – Rating: 90
Another publication that gave it 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 – Rating: 90
According to TheSixthAxis, the wait for an Assassin's Creed game set in feudal Japan was worth it. The site described the game as "amazing" and highlighted its size, richness of detail, and historical accuracy. The review stated that Shadows is among the best games in the series.
WellPlayed – Rating: 85
WellPlayed gave the game a score of 85, highlighting the character development and the freedom of approach in gameplay. However, the review mentioned that the narrative does not reach the same level of excellence as the setting.
GamesRadar+ – Rating: 80
GamesRadar+ praised the overall game experience, but pointed out that it may not be enough to convince those who have grown tired of the Assassin's Creed formula. Still, the publication reinforced that Shadows is among the best titles in the RPG phase of the franchise.
Push Square – Rating: 80
The website Push Square highlighted that, although the game won't win over those already saturated with the latest titles in the series, it still stands out within the open-world RPG genre. The narrative and protagonists were the most praised aspects.
VGC – Note: 80
According to VGC, Assassin's Creed Shadows finally fulfills fans' desire for a game set in feudal Japan. The review considered that the game delivered the essentials, with engaging gameplay and a beautiful open world. The analysis mentioned that the game may not save Ubisoft from its recent difficulties, but it reinforces the strength of the franchise.
IGN – Rating: 80
IGN rated the game 80 points and highlighted the balance between combat and stealth. Despite the high technical quality, the review considered that Shadows doesn't bring many innovations and may not surprise those who have played previous titles in the series.
Gamepressure – Score: 70
Gamepressure's review was more critical, giving the game a score of 70. The site praised the stealth system and combat, but pointed out that the story and exploration are uninspired. The review considered that fans of the series might find something of value in the game, but that it is unlikely to convince new players.
PC Games – Score: 70
PC Games also gave it a score of 70 and stated that, while the game is fun, it doesn't stand out within the franchise. The site 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 the same line of reasoning as the 70, pointing out that the game offers exciting moments but falls short due to a lack of innovation. The storyline was one of the most criticized aspects.
The New York Times – Rating: 65
The lowest score came from The New York Times, which rated the game 65 points. The review criticized the pacing of the story and some repetitive gameplay elements. The site mentioned that, while the game has positive aspects, it failed to fully utilize the potential of the 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 fails to appeal to all audiences. 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 within the franchise.
