The latest version of Assassin’s Creed is a gamechanger as far as the series is concerned…
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has always been one of my favourite games. Ubisoft’s historical fiction genre allows you to wander virtually through lost periods of history and explore them like you’re actually there. Previous editions of the game have taken me to Italy, Greece, Egypt and Britain. But it got monotonous and boring after a point as the surroundings get repetitive and all you’re doing is jumping around the place killing people trying to kill your character.
Considering all this, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was a refreshing surprise! Set in 16th Century Japan which belonged to the era of warlord Oda Nobunaga, the game features two protagonists – Yasuke, a former slave who has turned into a formidable samurai, and Naoe, a peasant shinobi who is building her own resistance after her home was destroyed. They offer contrasting playstyles that keep you entertained.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The dual protagonist system keeps things interesting as you can switch between Yasuke’s brute force and Naoe’s stealth tactics. While Yasuke is skilled in direct combat and wielding heavy weaponry, Naoe is agile and nimble and can carry out silent assassinations and infiltration missions. This dynamic gameplay lets users adapt their strategies and switch between characters depending on the requirements of the mission.
Exploring the map is a lot of fun as you never get tired of the visually stunning architecture and geographies that have been built in. The fights are also interesting and the makers have given extra attention in keeping the action immersive and up-to-date.
But there are certain aspects of the game like hideout mode which feel a little underdeveloped and maybe required a little more thinking and effort.
Visuals & World Building
Long story short, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a visual masterpiece!
The depiction of feudal Japan is mind-blowing with immaculate attention given to details such as environments, architecture and cultural elements. The dynamic weather system and the season changes makes the game feel all the more authentic, making it seem like you’re playing in a living, breathing world.
The game also has something called Immersive Mode which is complimented by its multi-lingual script. You can play the entire game in English voice acting or you can play in period-appropriate
Japanese and Portuguese with subtitles. It is more immersive and enhances the cultural context of the game and its commitment to authenticity.
Narrative & Storytelling
While the game is visually stunning, one place it falls short is perhaps its story. The narration feels inconsistent and doesn’t feel very engaging in parts. The overarching plot is based around revenge and political unrest and while that is a solid foundation, there is no emotional depth in the storytelling and there are no unexpected twists either. This was something that used to be one of the main features in previous versions of the game.
Yasuke and Naoe’s characters – while distinct and contrasting – sometimes feel a little too predictable and could have done with some more development.
The Last Word
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has rebranded itself by combining its trademark stealth elements with modern open world RPG mechanics. The stunning visuals, the updated combats and the innovative dual-protagonist system makes it engaging for longtime fans as well as first time players.
For an immersive adventure that switches between action and stealth, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a breathtaking journey through one of history’s most fascinating periods. I would say 4 stars out of 5!
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