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

You’ve probably come across the Japanese art known as ‘kintsugi,’ which means ‘golden repair.’ This practice, a blend of philosophy and artistry, is all about fixing broken pottery with lacquer sprinkled with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The idea is to highlight and celebrate the item’s history and flaws rather than mask them.

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to be their version of ‘kintsugi’ for the nearly two-decade-old series. It proudly showcases flaws—like its cluttered user interface, chaotic map, and awkward mechanics—without attempting to disguise them. But amidst these rough patches, Ubisoft offers moments of sheer brilliance. For every mundane mission, there’s a breathtaking set-piece that rivals the best the franchise has ever delivered. It turns imperfections into beauty.

One of the standout features of the post-reboot Assassin’s Creed era (starting with Origins) is its cluttered objective screen, filled with targets to take down. Shadows, set in Sengoku-era Japan, is no different, continuing the tradition with circles of villainous organizations to dismantle.

The open-world engagement lies in these objectives. Each mission, whether it involves exacting vengeance or unraveling side plots, is unique and propels the narrative forward. Forget the tedious ‘tail missions’ of past games; Shadows offers dynamic encounters with various notorious figures, each requiring a strategic approach.

The duo of agile Naoe and strong Yasuke keeps combat fresh. Though the mechanics aren’t groundbreaking, the balance between stealth and brute force is what makes the gameplay enjoyable. You can alternate between stealthy precision with Naoe or Yasuke’s all-out mayhem.

Minor irritations like AI glitches or collision mishaps fade in the thrill of action. Taking down a towering ronin with stealth or witnessing intense combat animations—like hats flying off as you disable enemies—is as hilarious as it is satisfying. It’s this mix of serious and lighthearted moments that makes the experience remarkable.

The story? Solid enough, with a recommendation to choose Immersive Mode over English voiceovers if you’re comfortable with subtitles. The cinematic quality is top-notch, enriched by music from the Japanese psych-rock band TEKE TEKE, which evokes a Tarantino-esque vibe in key scenes.

The game’s true potential unfolds about a dozen hours in, after a substantial prologue and extensive world-building. When the massive world opens up, a seamless character swap system ensures flexibility in your approach. I gravitated more towards Naoe’s stealth but switching to Yasuke always brought a different thrill.

Even traditional aspects of the Assassin’s Creed framework are reinvented here. Collecting origami cranes, for instance, offers fresh surprises beyond the typical item hunts. The base-building feature isn’t essential but adds layers to the experience, rewarding players with added allies, weapon upgrades, and other perks.

Though it introduces repetitive tasks like temple visits and meditation practices, they add a rhythm to gameplay, allowing moments of reflection amidst the chaos. It’s a balancing act—frenzied action followed by serene exploration in stunning landscapes. Ubisoft captures Japan’s beauty, with each season offering a visual treat even though it doesn’t significantly change gameplay tactics.

‘Kintsugi’ is synonymous with ‘wabi-sabi,’ embracing impermanence and flaws. Shadows embodies this idea by not glossing over inherent Assassin’s Creed quirks but instead making them part of its charm.

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows has its flaws, the fun, engaging story, and rewarding progression make it a standout open-world game with echoes of a modern roguelike. Its vastness is matched by cohesive design, making every action meaningful.

Finding faults has become almost entertaining, as they usually lead to unexpected delights. That’s high praise for any form of art, but particularly noteworthy in a video game context.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC on March 20, 2025, after a brief delay earlier this year.