It is the starting signal for the future of Ubisoft's most successful franchise since the publisher was founded: Assassin's Creed Shadows. With the next part, the French publisher fulfills a dream of countless fans and brings the conflict between Templars and Assassins into the feudal Japan.
Update from May 19th: Due to the name change and new details, we have revised the article in many places.
Ubisoft announced the samurai and ninja spin-off in mid-2022, but did not officially reveal it until May 2024. Since then, we finally know a lot more about the next series spin-off from Ubisoft's biggest brand. We summarize for you all important information regarding Assassin's Creed Shadows Release, Setting, Gameplay and more together.
Assassin's Creed Shadow: When is the release?
Ubisoft has been silent on this topic for a long time, but it is now clear: Assassin's Creed Shadows will be released on November 15, 2024 appear. The French publisher revealed this along with the cinematic reveal trailer.
Assassin's Creed Shadows fits in with this perfect in the series: Since their debut in 2007, the major offshoots have always appeared in time for the Christmas season, i.e. between October and November. The Japan trip is no exception.
Platforms: Which ones will Assassin's Creed Shadows be released on?
In addition to the release date, Ubisoft also has the Platforms, on which Assassin's Creed Shows will appear in mid-November, revealed. Accordingly, players come on the PCthe PS5the Xbox Series X|S and up Mac benefit. In addition, the cloud streaming service is also available Amazon Luna supports.
An implementation for the Nintendo Switch however, is not an option. Ubisoft may already be planning for that Switch successor, expected to appear in early 2025.
Protagonist: Who do we play in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Assassin's Creed Shadows takes place in feudal Japan, more precisely in the years 1579 to 1580. Once again you slip into the role of the player Skin of a new character or in that of two different protagonists.
On the one hand it awaits you Samurai Yasuke, who, according to historical information, actually lived in the 16th century. In the service of his master Daimyo Oda Nobunaga, Sasuke, who was born in Africa, probably became his weapon bearer, presumably also as a warrior. However, as is usual for the series, Yasuke's story will not be historically accurate down to the last detail, but will of course be adapted to its own franchise lore.
Yasuke is one of two protagonists in Assassin's Creed Shadows and can hit hard.
In addition to the burly samurai, you can also play the protagonist Naoe Fujibayashi play. Her story is probably quite tragically linked to the fate of her family, which is why she seeks revenge. In the course of the plot, she is supposed to team up with Sasuke to unite Japan.
Gameplay: How should Assassin's Creed Shadows play?
Assassin's Creed Shadows is – unsurprisingly mind you – a Action role-playing game with an open game world. This means you'll be exploring a significant portion of feudal Japan, even if the exact size is still unknown. According to a report by IGN but should Assassin's Creed Origins to be an example. Ancient Egypt was about 80 square kilometers in size and therefore a good deal smaller than its successor Odyssey.
In any case, AC Shadows should playfully build on the strengths of the Origins era, but revise individual elements or put them more in the spotlight. Among other things, there is talk of one greater stealth focuswhich the makers even took part in Splinter Cell have oriented. It is now possible to lie on your stomach at any time or to extinguish flares in order to be less visible. If it does come to an open fight, then Shadow should behave fundamentally like that Valhalla play, just a little more violent – at least partially.
Changeable weather even in feudal Japan: The weather conditions are said to have a direct influence on the gameplay.
In addition, there are already following details known:
- In AC Shadows it will numerous weapons including katanas, shurikens, kunai and more. In addition, each category will have its own talent tree.
- You can at any time Switch back and forth between the two protagonists, the choice of character is only fixed in their intros and a few selected missions.
- Yasuke and Naoe also have individual talent treesbut share experience points, weapons and crafting materials.
- Shadows uses one new version of the Anvil enginewhich, among other things, can create much more realistic and dynamic light and shadow effects thanks to global illumination.
- Besides, they have that Weather and the changing seasons Playful influence: During thunderstorms you can muffle your steps and in winter there are hardly any bushes left to hide in.
- The campaign is intended largely nonlinear be, i.e. you have the choice as to which contract killings you pursue. However, there will still be fixed story quests that you have to complete at a certain point in time.
- You can one Spy network build to send individual NPCs on missions. Last but not least, you can build and expand your own hiding place.
So far, however, all of these are pure promises. Ubisoft has not yet shown real gameplay for Assassin's Creed Shadows. This will not happen until June 10, 2024, when the publisher in Los Angeles Live presentation Ubisoft Forward stops.
What versions of Assassin's Creed Shadows are there?
As Ubisoft’s flagship, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will of course be released in several versions published. These differ not only in terms of their price, but also in their content. In detail you can purchase the Japanese assassin adventure in the following editions:
Standard Edition – Price: 69.99 euros (PC), 79.99 euros (PS5, XSX)
- Base game
- Pre-order bonus (Quest “A Dog's Life”)
Gold Edition – Price: 109.99 euros (all platforms)
- Base game
- Pre-order bonus (Quest: “A Dog's Life”)
- Season Pass (additional quest and two upcoming expansions)
- Three days early access
Ultimate Edition – Price: 129.99 euros (all platforms)
- Base game
- Pre-order bonus (Quest: “A Dog's Life”)
- Season Pass (additional quest and two upcoming expansions)
- Three days early access
- Ultimate Package (Character and Hideout Package with various bonuses at the start of the game, five skill points, “Red Dragon” filter for photo mode)
Collector's Edition – Price: 279.99 euros (all platforms)
- Ultimate Edition of the game
- Character statue of Naoe and Yasuke
- Steelbook case
- Art book with 84 pages
- Naoe's Katana Tsuba (full size)
- World map
- Credo Kakemono
- 2 Sumi-e lithographs
The Collector's Edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows is visually impressive – but also digs deep into your wallet.
Alternatively, you can also get the Ultimate Edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows via Ubisoft+ can play from day one. However, the subscription service costs 17.99 euros per month.
What is Assassin's Creed Infinity?
Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft has long since revealed, is only one piece of the puzzle in the future of the series. At the center is one large, interactive hub called Assassin's Creed Infinityfrom which you every new series part in the future starts – this also includes Shadows Witchwhich is also currently in development at Ubisoft.
For this reason, Assassin's Creed Infinity is scheduled to release on the same day as Shadows and will allow you to jump straight into feudal Japan in just a few seconds. Additionally, according to well-known insider Tom Henderson, Infinity#mce_temp_url# information Live service aspect push forward and offer your own in-game shop and “projects”. The latter are intended to be a kind of battle pass for each protagonist, where you experience specific stories and unlock new cosmetic rewards.
What's next after Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Although Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't even out yet, Ubisoft already has plans for the future in the bag. Here, too, Henderson has already been able to gather initial information, although of course this has largely not been officially confirmed. Until 2030, things should continue as follows:
- Assassin's Creed Shadows – November 15, 2024, single player
- Assassin's Creed Invictus – 2025, Multiplayer
- Assassin's Creed Witch – 2026, single player
- Assassin's Creed Obsidian – Supposedly a remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
- Assassin's Creed Nebula – new main part with a scenario in India, the Aztec Empire or the Mediterranean
- another remake of an Assassin's Creed
However, look at this information with one eye healthy dose of skepticism, because Ubisoft has not yet commented in detail on the future of Assassin's Creed. However, there have been one or two things in the past Rumor about a new edition of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.