After years of anticipation and multiple delays, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally launching on March 20, 2025. Set in feudal Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama era (1573-1603), this game arrives at a critical moment for Ubisoft, whose stock has fallen 77% since 2020.
A Make-or-Break Release
Shadows isn’t just another entry in the long-running series – it may be Ubisoft‘s most crucial release in years. With the company’s market cap now at just $1.75 billion (half of what Sony paid for Bungie in 2022) according to recent reports, and discussions of potential buyouts circulating, this Japan-set adventure carries tremendous weight for the publisher’s future.
As executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté noted in an interview, “I’ve been on [this] franchise for 16 years and I think every time we start a new game, Japan comes up and we ask, is this the time?” After multiple conceptual attempts, Ubisoft finally committed to the fan-requested setting.
Dual Protagonists in a Historical Setting
The game features two playable characters with distinct gameplay styles:
- Yasuke: A historical African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga in 1581-1582, focusing on direct combat
- Fujibayashi Naoe: A fictional female shinobi specializing in stealth and shadow tactics
This dual-protagonist approach has sparked online controversy, though Yasuke was indeed a real historical figure, and female warriors were present throughout Japan’s feudal period.
Attention to Historical Detail
Creative director Jonathan Dumont emphasized the team’s commitment to authenticity: “In-house historians were some of the first people to get staffed on the production team. A huge data bank is continually fed.”
The developers traveled to key locations in Japan, including Kyoto and Osaka, to capture specific details. During one visit, local colleagues pointed out that the game’s lighting on mountains didn’t match Japan’s unique landscape lighting, prompting the art team to make corrections.
The game recreates historical landmarks including Takeda, Fukuchiyama, and Himeji castles, alongside villages, ports, and rural landscapes of Central Japan.
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Gameplay Innovations
Shadows maintains the series’ action-RPG approach established since Origins, while introducing new features:
- Dynamic weather and seasonal changes affecting gameplay
- Light and shadow systems enhancing stealth mechanics
- Physics-based grappling hooks for exploration
- Prone crawling for improved stealth
- Different playstyles between the samurai and ninja protagonists
Cultural Influences
The game draws inspiration from classic samurai films and Japanese storytelling. Dumont cited specific influences: “Kagemusha from Kurosawa, 13 Assassins, Zatoichi, Sekigahara, The Tale of Genji or Musashi from Eiji Yoshikawa… Even Studio Ghibli movies such as My Neighbour Totoro have helped us understand the countryside and vegetation.”
Third Era of Assassin’s Creed
In a November 2024 BAFTA talk, Côté called Shadows the beginning of Assassin’s Creed’s “third period,” with history once again becoming a centerpiece of the experience rather than modern-day storylines. This represents a shift in the franchise’s evolution following its original action-adventure roots and subsequent RPG-focused direction.
Timing and Market Context
Shadows arrives during an interesting period for the gaming industry. Recent failures of live service games have left players seeking substantial single-player experiences. Meanwhile, the success of FX/Hulu’s Shōgun series has renewed interest in feudal Japan stories.
For Ubisoft, following disappointing performances from Star Wars Outlaws, Skull and Bones, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Shadows represents an opportunity to recapture the magic that made Assassin’s Creed Valhalla a billion-dollar success in 2020. Review scores are expected to be published ahead of the game’s release on Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Assassin’s Creed Shadows releasing?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows releases on March 20, 2025. The game was originally scheduled for November 15, 2024, but was delayed twice to allow for additional polish.
Who are the main characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The game features dual protagonists: Yasuke, an African samurai based on a real historical figure who served under Oda Nobunaga, and Fujibayashi Naoe, a fictional female shinobi. Each character offers distinct playstyles – Yasuke focuses on direct combat while Naoe specializes in stealth tactics.
What time period does Assassin’s Creed Shadows take place in?
The game is set in Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama era (1573-1603), specifically around 1579. This was a time of intense civil war dominated by the feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, marking a significant period of cultural and political change in Japanese history.
What new gameplay features does Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduce?
Shadows introduces several new mechanics including dynamic weather and seasonal changes that affect gameplay, light and shadow systems for enhanced stealth, physics-based grappling hooks, prone crawling, and distinct playstyles between the samurai and ninja protagonists.
Why is this game important for Ubisoft?
Shadows is crucial for Ubisoft as the company faces significant financial challenges. Their stock has fallen 77% since 2020, and their market cap is just $1.75 billion. Following disappointing performances from recent releases like Star Wars Outlaws and Skull and Bones, Ubisoft needs a major success, and Assassin’s Creed remains their most valuable franchise.
How historically accurate is Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The developers worked with in-house historians and specialists from Japan to ensure historical authenticity. They recreated actual locations like Takeda, Fukuchiyama and Himeji castles, and included real historical figures like Yasuke and Oda Nobunaga. However, as with all Assassin’s Creed games, it blends historical fact with fiction to create its narrative.