Assassin’s Creed Shadows PS5 Review – Is It Worth the Hype?

#ad Assassin’s Creed Shadows Limited Edition (PS5) – A Stunning Leap into Feudal Japan

Ubisoft has finally done what fans have been yearning for over a decade: deliver a full-scale Assassin’s Creed game set in feudal Japan. Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just a long-overdue fantasy come to life, it’s also a meaningful evolution of the series, one that feels genuinely fresh while still retaining the core essence that made the franchise iconic in the first place. The Limited Edition, exclusive to Amazon UK, adds an extra layer of desirability to what is already a standout entry in the series.

A Tale of Two Assassins

At the heart of Shadows lies a dual protagonist system. You play as Naoe, a shinobi Assassin with lightning-quick agility and a stealth-first approach, and Yasuke, a real-life historical figure and powerful samurai whose brutal, heavy-handed combat provides a complete contrast. It’s a bold and fascinating pairing, and it works remarkably well.

Naoe is everything you’d expect from a traditional Assassin: silent, precise, and deadly from the shadows. Her sections feel like a return to the roots of the series, leaning heavily into stealth mechanics and parkour. Navigating rooftops, scaling castles, and silently eliminating targets has rarely felt more satisfying.

Yasuke, on the other hand, brings brute strength to the equation. His combat style is loud, heavy, and devastating. He’s more of a tank – the type to walk straight into the front gate of a fortress rather than sneak in through the rafters. Playing as Yasuke adds variety to the game’s pace, offering a more direct and action-oriented approach.

The beauty of this dynamic is the freedom it offers. Missions can often be tackled with either character, allowing you to choose your preferred playstyle or experiment with both. It’s a system that feels natural and rarely forced, and it makes the game feel endlessly replayable.

A Gorgeous Feudal Japan Setting

The setting of Shadows is arguably its most captivating feature. Ubisoft has gone all out in crafting a rich, atmospheric depiction of Sengoku-era Japan. From the cherry blossoms drifting through the wind to the creaking floors of wooden dojos, the attention to detail is phenomenal. The world feels alive in a way that few open-world games manage. Towns bustle with activity, the countryside is serene yet dangerous, and every inch of the map feels hand-crafted rather than procedurally slapped together.

Weather and seasonal changes also play a role here, not just aesthetically, but mechanically. Rain affects movement and visibility, while snowy conditions can muffle footsteps, providing opportunities (or challenges) depending on your approach. It adds another layer of immersion and strategy that keeps you constantly adapting.

The architecture is another highlight – sprawling castles, quaint villages, mountain shrines, and dense forests are all stunningly rendered. The PS5’s horsepower ensures that loading times are nearly non-existent and performance remains smooth throughout, even during large-scale battles or while sprinting through densely populated cities.

Refined Stealth and Combat

One of the biggest criticisms of previous Assassin’s Creed games in the RPG era was the diminishing emphasis on stealth. Shadows reverses that trend. The stealth mechanics have been overhauled, with smarter AI, better cover systems, and more tools at your disposal.

Naoe can hide in tall grass, distract guards with whistling darts, extinguish torches to create darkness, or grapple up into rafters for the perfect aerial kill. Enemies respond more realistically now, investigating suspicious activity rather than following predictable patrol patterns. It makes every infiltration feel tense and rewarding.

Combat, particularly with Yasuke, is weighty and satisfying. Swinging a katana or using a heavy kanabo feels powerful and impactful. Parrying is crucial, and enemies won’t just wait around – they’ll flank, call reinforcements, and press their advantage if you get sloppy. Dual stances, unlockable abilities, and a refined skill tree mean there’s plenty of depth to master if you’re into the more visceral side of battle.

Storytelling and Character Development

While Assassin’s Creed has always flirted with historical fiction, Shadows leans more heavily into the storytelling than some recent entries. The narrative is grounded and personal, following Naoe’s journey for revenge and justice, and Yasuke’s path of redemption and duty. The contrast between the two gives the story emotional depth, and their interactions evolve organically throughout the campaign.

The voice acting is strong across the board, and thankfully, Ubisoft has opted for native Japanese voiceovers with English subtitles available – a decision that adds to the authenticity. Cutscenes are well-directed, dialogue feels natural, and there’s a welcome focus on character development rather than just historical spectacle.

The modern-day storyline, while still present, is thankfully kept to a minimum and doesn’t interfere much with the flow of the main narrative. It’s enough to satisfy long-time fans of the lore without bogging down the game’s pacing.

Exploration, Side Content, and World Design

Shadows returns to a more curated open-world design rather than the overly bloated maps of games like Odyssey or Valhalla. There’s still a wealth of content here – side missions, hidden shrines, collectible lore scrolls, and assassination contracts – but it never feels overwhelming.

Side quests are particularly noteworthy, often featuring meaningful stories and interesting characters rather than fetch quests. Many are grounded in historical events or cultural practices, giving players a deeper look into Japanese history and life during the Sengoku period.

Traversal is smooth and satisfying. Naoe’s parkour is fast and fluid, and new additions like the grappling hook expand your mobility options. There’s also a renewed emphasis on verticality, with castles and towns featuring multiple levels to climb and explore.

Limited Edition Extras

Being exclusive to Amazon UK, the Limited Edition comes with some appealing extras. The standout is the bonus quest – Thrown to the Dogs – which adds a decent chunk of content and serves as a nice side-story with a unique boss fight and some high-level rewards. It’s not essential, but it’s a fun addition.

You also get the Sekiryu Character Pack, which includes a set of themed weapons and outfits that are visually striking and fit well within the game’s aesthetic. It’s more than just cosmetic flair – these items have early-game usefulness and help give you a slight edge during the tougher initial missions.

The physical packaging is top-notch. The steelbook is beautifully designed, featuring intricate Japanese artwork that makes it feel like a collector’s item. For fans of the series, this edition is definitely worth picking up over the standard one.

Performance and Polish

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the most technically polished Ubisoft games in recent memory. On PS5, it runs at a consistent frame rate in both performance and quality modes. Graphical fidelity is high, with lush textures, detailed character models, and atmospheric lighting that brings the world to life.

Bugs, which have plagued some previous entries, are minimal here. You might encounter the occasional NPC clipping or odd animation, but nothing game-breaking or immersion-shattering. It feels like a title that has been properly tested and optimised – a refreshing change for a game of this size.

Final Verdict

#ad Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just another entry in a long-running franchise – it’s a bold new step forward. With its rich Japanese setting, dual protagonists, revitalised stealth mechanics, and refined storytelling, it manages to strike a balance between classic and modern Assassin’s Creed.

The Limited Edition, exclusive to Amazon UK, adds meaningful content and some lovely collector’s touches, making it a must-have for dedicated fans. Whether you're here for the stealth, the combat, the history, or simply to lose yourself in a beautifully realised world, Shadows delivers on almost every front.

For newcomers and veterans alike, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the strongest entries in the series to date – and quite possibly the beginning of a new golden age for the franchise.

Rating: 9/10

 

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