In an alternate timeline, 2024 would have been a significant milestone for the Assassin’s Creed franchise. This upcoming November marks the 15th and 10th anniversaries of two landmark entries: Assassin’s Creed II and Assassin’s Creed Unity. Originally, fans were eagerly awaiting the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which was scheduled for November 15, 2024, set in the rich backdrop of Japan.
However, the release of Shadows has been postponed twice and is now set to launch on March 20, 2025. The game’s release is quite pivotal, as it may be Ubisoft’s last major title before a potential acquisition by Tencent. The game has made headlines even before its arrival due to a pre-release leak, prompting Ubisoft to advise players to steer clear of spoilers. It’s safe to say that Shadows finds itself in a unique cultural spotlight, particularly for featuring a lead character inspired by a historical figure prominent in Japanese pop culture.
Looking back, it’s easy to remember that Assassin’s Creed began as a game with an intriguing concept that suggested deeper mysteries to uncover. Much like franchises that emerged during the PS3/Xbox 360 era—such as Uncharted and Borderlands—the initial entry into the Creed saga had solid ideas that compensated for some of its uneven execution. The sequel, set in Renaissance-era Italy, breathed fresh life into the series with the compelling story of Ezio Auditore Firenze, whose transition from a carefree nobleman to a vengeful assassin against corrupt aristocrats captured players’ imaginations. It even dared to throw in wild storytelling elements, including having players begin as a newborn Ezio or hinting at ties to the tales of Adam and Eve.
Ezio’s narrative extended through Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood in 2010 and Assassin’s Creed: Revelations in 2011, marking the series’ shift to an annual release schedule. The trilogy featuring the beloved Signore Auditore has left an enduring legacy: he remains the only assassin with his personal sub-series, adding to his prominence as a guest character in other franchises, such as Soul Calibur V, and mentoring Shao Jun in the spinoff game Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China. His iconic musical theme, composed by Jesper Kyd, has been reinterpreted to suit later game settings, further enhancing his lasting impact on the series.
However, over-reliance on goodwill can lead franchises into a slump. This phenomenon became apparent with Assassin’s Creed Unity, the first installment tailored for the PS4/Xbox One generation, introducing four-player co-op gameplay. The game, set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, features Arno Dorian, a character embroiled in a personal vendetta against the Templars who wronged his family, complicating his life further with his love interest, Elise, who remains loyal to the Templars.
Upon its release, Unity faced mixed reviews due to its technical issues. However, patches improved its standing over time, ensuring decent sales. The initial backlash prompted Ubisoft to cease annual releases, choosing instead a “when it’s ready” approach, which has allowed for more comprehensive development cycles. After Assassin’s Creed Syndicate in 2015, Ubisoft took a hiatus in 2016 and revived the franchise with Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017, transitioning into the action-RPG genre with gear systems and skill trees. This trend continued with 2023’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage, as well as 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and 2020’s Valhalla, which embraced deeper RPG mechanics such as dialogue choices and romance options, alongside character customization.
The upcoming Shadows will retain these RPG elements, placing players in the roles of young shinobi Naoe Fujibayashi and Yasuke, a real-life African samurai serving under Oda Nobunaga between 1581 and 1582. While the series has always enjoyed a blend of history and fiction, showcasing figures like Odin in Valhalla, the inclusion of Yasuke as a prominent character is particularly significant, providing a refreshing narrative twist that goes beyond mere character customization. Unlike previous protagonists such as Alexios from Odyssey or male Eivor from Valhalla, both Naoe and Yasuke are being highlighted distinctly in the game’s promotional material, ensuring they’re viewed as integral partners in the gameplay experience.
During a November 2024 BAFTA presentation, executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté referred to Shadows as ushering in the “third period” for Assassin’s Creed. The initial era focused on harnessing a popular new IP, while the second recognized the need for a more sustainable approach. This next phase aims to reaffirm the importance of history within the game’s narrative, moving away from the modern-day elements that diversified the content. The series has traditionally leveraged its historical lore not just for enjoyment but also as a vehicle for examining societal issues such as race, class, and gender. The addition of Yasuke signals a recipe for future Creed games that continue to engage with real-world histories and figures thoughtfully.
Historically, Assassin’s Creed has seen strong sales, enabling Ubisoft to leverage it for financial stability during tough quarters, thanks to a long-tail effect. While the franchise is unlikely to face immediate doom following the release of Shadows, the industry landscape differs significantly from that of 2014. The interval between hits and recoveries has decreased steadily, posing new challenges. Simultaneously, Ubisoft must embark on an internal overhaul to create a healthy environment for its employees, ensuring that the burden doesn’t unfairly rest on the shoulders of a single high-stakes game.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the upcoming installment in the Assassin’s Creed series set to release on March 20, 2025. It features young shinobi Naoe Fujibayashi and Yasuke, a real African samurai.
What historical period does Shadows take place in?
The game is set in Japan during the years 1581 and 1582, encompassing the rich historical backdrop of the samurai era.
Who are the main characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The protagonists are Naoe Fujibayashi, a young shinobi, and Yasuke, who was a real historical figure serving under Oda Nobunaga.
Has Unity affected Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
The mixed reception of Unity led Ubisoft to alter its development strategy, focusing now on ensuring quality and delivering engaging narratives like that in Shadows.
What can players expect in terms of gameplay mechanics in Shadows?
Players can expect RPG elements similar to those introduced in Origins and continued through Odyssey and Valhalla, including character progression, gear systems, and choices that impact the narrative.