Why Assassin’s Creed Shadows Proves Ubisoft Has Yet to Master the Franchise

Ever since the launch of the first Assassin’s Creed in 2007, I’ve been hoping for a game that truly nails the series’ key features: stealth, parkour, and combat. Unfortunately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows struggles with two of these elements—stealth and parkour. Instead of a cohesive experience, the gameplay feels broken and frustrating.

Let’s talk about the good part first. The game’s world is stunning. You’ll find beautifully crafted environments that draw you in. Combat, especially as the character Yasuke, has surprising depth if you dig into the skill tree. The characters Noae and Yasuke each bring something different to the table, adding variety to your gameplay. However, this variety can’t save the game from its core issues.

While the combat might shine, parkour is a nightmare. The controls often lead to awkward mishaps that can ruin your momentum. Instead of gracefully leaping from rooftop to rooftop, I found Noae randomly tumbling to her doom when trying to make what’s supposed to be an easy jump. In theory, stealth gameplay is engaging, reminiscent of the mechanics in Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. However, in practice, the enemy AI can’t climb, which diminishes the thrill of stealth. You can easily escape to a roof and leave your pursuers baffled below.

After spending about 40 hours with Shadows, I had adjusted to its flaws, recognizing it as an ambitious yet flawed entry in the series. The vast map and the number of side missions quickly felt overwhelming, a common issue with Ubisoft games. Gamers often use the phrase “It’s a Ubisoft game” to excuse problems rather than acknowledging the innovations Shadows attempts at stealth and quest design. You get the sense that less could have been more—fewer features and a sharper focus on refining gameplay would have been ideal.

The story, on the other hand, lacks depth and character engagement. The protagonists’ quest for “freedom” from tyranny feels vague. Instead of impactful themes, you find shallow dialogue that does little to evoke true emotion. Players may feel detached from their journey as they murder numerous enemies without significant reasons. The characters might lack personal stakes, making it hard to invest in their story.

Statistically, player reviews suggest that many share these feelings. A survey conducted by GameRadar shows that over 60% of gamers found the parkour mechanics to be frustrating, echoing what I’ve experienced.

Visually, though, Shadows is a treat. The changing seasons, from lush greens to sparkling snowy landscapes, capture the essence of medieval Japan beautifully. This impressive world-building elicits awe. However, even breathtaking graphics can’t overshadow gameplay issues. You might find yourself marveling at the environment as you struggle through game mechanics that disrupt the flow of play.

In conclusion, Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a missed opportunity to truly redefine the franchise. It offers potential with its gorgeous landscapes and interesting combat, but when two out of its three key pillars fail, the entire experience suffers. If you’re a die-hard fan like me, you might still enjoy the journey, but it’s a shame it didn’t reach its full potential.

For a more cohesive stealth-action experience, players might want to check out Ghost of Tsushima, which integrates its elements more seamlessly. In the end, we’re left with a game that raises more questions than it answers about what can make an Assassin’s Creed game truly great.

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Assassin’s Creed,UBISOFT