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

If you’ve ever heard of ‘kintsugi,’ the Japanese technique of repairing pottery with gold, you know it’s about highlighting an object’s flaws rather than hiding them. This art form is all about embracing imperfections and, through the repair process, creating something even more beautiful. Imagine that philosophy being applied to video games. Enter Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s latest addition to their longstanding franchise. It feels like a game that celebrates its past, flaws and all, and in doing so, crafts something new and intriguing.

Assassin’s Creed has always had its fair share of quirks: complex menus, overloaded maps, awkward movement, and clunky combat among them. But Shadows doesn’t try to scrub these clean. Instead, it embraces them, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, it surprises you with breathtaking moments. Each mundane “follow this character” mission is a gateway to a stunning cinematic that rivals anything in the franchise. For every fault, Ubisoft adds a touch of gold.

The post-reboot era of Assassin’s Creed games, starting from Origins, introduced large objective screens packed with targets to take down. Shadows, set in the Sengoku era of Japan, is no exception—it just ups the ante. The game offers layer upon layer of sinister organizations for you to dismantle, giving your in-game journey a sense of purpose. It’s this goal of wiping out nefarious factions that keeps you invested, making long travels across the expansive world feel worthwhile.

The core narrative asks you to take down 13 targets as an act of vengeance. Beyond that, the game heaps on side objectives like no tomorrow. Sure, at its heart, it’s all about tracking and eliminating foes, but with each infamous ronin, each outcast shinobi, you’re drawn deeper into the storyline. It’s a far cry from the dreary “tail this character” missions of old—the kind that tested even the most patient of players.

Shadows puts you in the shoes of two contrasting characters, Naoe and Yasuke. Although its combat system hasn’t changed much since Origins, it’s those differences between the characters, and the choice it offers, that shine here. Fancy some stealthy, precise headshots? Naoe’s your character. Craving a loud, chaotic assault? Yasuke’s brute force has you covered.

Yes, the AI might not be perfect, and at times, the collision physics can be wonky, but there’s a thrill to executing a perfect takedown or witnessing life bars drop dramatically after a well-timed attack. The gameplay is a mix of serious strategy and delightful goofiness that somehow works gloriously together.

The story is engaging, though I’d suggest playing in Immersive Mode with subtitles, as the Japanese and Portuguese voiceover blend is exceptional. Ubisoft’s cinematic artistry really shines here, with early cutscenes ranking among the series’ best moments. Props to the band TEKE TEKE, whose psych-rock soundtrack injects Tarantino-esque energy into key scenes.

However, patience is required—the main story doesn’t hit its stride until about 12 hours in, following an extensive prologue and hefty exposition. But once you dive into the vast open world, you begin to master your assassin skills with both characters, swapping between them like a pro. While I preferred the stealthy approach with Naoe, the moments with Yasuke, arming him with powerful gear discovered by Naoe, never failed to satisfy.

Even the series’ traditional collectible missions have been reimagined in Shadows. The task of gathering origami cranes takes a surprising turn, earning Ubisoft major points for creativity. As for the base-building aspect, you can choose to bypass it, but engaging with it rewards you with new allies, weapon upgrades, and other perks that enrich your experience.

The game also has moments that make you pause and reflect, as you take part in rituals like temple visits and meditation practices. These tasks, seemingly repetitive, somehow provide the perfect breather after a frenetic battle, letting you immerse in the game’s stunning natural beauty.

And let’s talk about that beauty—I played on a PS5 Pro in Quality mode, often pausing just to take in the gorgeous landscapes. The changing seasons bring vibrant visual shifts, with autumn’s palette possibly being my favorite. Though seasonal changes don’t drastically alter gameplay, they add a dynamic visual spice to your journey through Japan’s wilderness.

Ultimately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is about embracing its imperfections, like a true reflection of ‘kintsugi.’ Instead of trying to overhaul aspects that define its legacy, it finds a way to make them shine. Despite the flaws, the game delivers a gripping story and a rewarding sense of progression, making each action meaningful. Shadows might just be one of the biggest and most cohesive entries in the series.

I’m so absorbed in finding the game’s little flaws because they often mean there’s something spectacular waiting. That’s high praise for any creative work, but in gaming, that feeling is truly special.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC on March 20, 2025, following a recent delay.