Summary
- A new Assassin's Creed Shadows update adds a new free story quest, character bios, bug fixes, and more.
- Additionally, props near an altar or religious building can no longer be destroyed.
A massive new update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available, adding a new free story quest and other improvements. The latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise has been out for a little over a month now, and fans have been praising Assassin’s Creed Shadows as one of the best installments in some time. Set in 16th-century Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows tells the interlocking story of Naoe and Yasuke, a pair of warriors on a mission to take down a corrupt conspiracy one member at a time.
Like most modern video games, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has received several patches since its initial release on March 20, most of which were meant to address bugs and other technical issues players had reported. One of the more recent ones, Patch 1.0.2, helped make Assassin’s Creed Shadows run even smoother on the new PlayStation 5 Pro console and fixed many different framerate drops players could experience while exploring Naoe and Yasuke’s hideout.
The Case for Assassin's Creed Shadows to Get a Direct Sequel
Ubisoft is already working on developing Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe but they should consider producing a sequel to Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Ubisoft released the official patch notes for Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ big May 2025 update earlier this week, and now, patch 1.006 is available to download on PS5 consoles. This newest update, which is called Title Update 1.0.4 on other systems, adds a free story quest titled “The Works of Luis Frois” that sees Naoe and Yasuke help an old friend and learn more about the Jesuits spread throughout 16th-century Japan. This mission can be started after Yasuke encounters Luis Frois in his personal questline.
A new story mission isn’t all that the newest Assassin’s Creed Shadows update is bringing to the game. As per the update’s official patch notes, Character Bios are being added to the Codex database to help players keep track of the many allies Naoe and Yasuke meet on their journey. That journey will be made easier thanks to new bug fixes that address past issues, like players not being redirected to Yasuke’s personal quest board when prompted or some customization trinkets not being accessible in the Forge.
Additionally, props near an altar or religious building can no longer be destroyed, something that caused a notable controversy before Assassin’s Creed Shadows was released. Other areas being tweaked and updated by the most recent Assassin’s Creed Shadows patch include certain questlines, the game’s stealth and combat systems, graphics, user interfaces, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Photo Mode, along with a few stability and performance fixes.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Update 1.006 Patch Notes
New Free Story Pack: The Works of Luis Frois
- An encounter with Luis Frois at a Jesuit Mission turns into an opportunity to help an old friend. Retrieve lost notes, protect Lady Satoko and learn more about the Jesuits in this new Free Story Pack playable with both Naoe or Yasuke. To meet with Luis Frois and start the quest arc, head to Azuchi. Luis will be located south of the Merchants’ Quarters. The quest will be available upon completing “The Path he Walks”, in Yasuke’s Board.
Codex Update: Character Entries
- As requested by many, we have added character bios in the Codex database to help you keep track of the many allies and foes you will meet throughout your journey in Japan.
Bug FixesGeneral
- Fixed an issue when pressing "Go to board" for "Complete Yasuke's personal journey" does not redirect the player to Yasuke's quest board.
- Fixed an issue where some trinkets could not be accessed in the Forge.
- Fixed some issues where visual customization could not be applied to certain weapons.
- Fixed a visual issue with the Red Bull trinket swapping between Yasuke and Naoe.
- Addressed several AI issues.
- Addressed several audio issues.
World
- All props near an altar or a religion building will now be static, preventing any destruction.
- Fixed an issue where too many deer spawning and running on main roads. Oh dear, watch out!
- Merchants will no longer offer multiple instances of the same item in shops.
- Fixed an issue where buying and equipping head gear would kick you from the merchant menu.
Quests
- Fixed an issue where in the quest “Astray”, players could not talk To Nakamura Tadashige.
- NOTE: Players will need to step away from Nakamura Tadashige (+500 meters) and then come back to speak with them.
- Fixed an issue where Nagato would sometimes not follow the correct path in the prologue during the "Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki" quest.
- Fixed an issue where Momochi Sandayu does not attack during the objective "Kill the Soldier" in the "Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki" quest.
- Fixed an issue where Nagato would despawn after a save/load during the quest "The Onryo Samurai".
- A prompt will now properly appear to Observe during the objective "Reach a high place to observe the Onryo Samurai" in the quest "The Onryo Samurai".
- Addressed an issue with enemy NPCs fighting each other after talking to Shotei during "Against the Koga-ryu".
- Fixed an issue where Tokubei would start attacking anyone that enters conflict with the player during the "Confront Tokubei" objective of "Losing Hand" quest.
- Fixed an issue where quest directions do not match the quest location during the "Meet Katsuhime" objective of "Against the Koga-ryu" quest.
- Addressed an issue where Yasuke would recover all of his health upon receiving a killing blow from Marume Nagayoshi during the duel from "Nobutsaha's Students".
Stealth
- Fixed an issue where Improved Ground Assassination (Assassin passive skill) would not work properly.
- Fixed an issue where Assassinations would not remove any health from knocked-out enemies.
- Fixed an issue where, after performing a Double Assassination, Naoe could not swap weapons if she was using the Katana as primary weapon.
- Fixed an issue with Yasuke’s Brutal Assassination not triggering at a certain distance with NPCs.
- Fixed Guaranteed Assassination not working with the kunai.
- Fixed an issue where Naoe could use smoke bombs to trigger Guaranteed Assassination opportunities on bosses.
- Fixed an issue where crouching during a Sprint Dodge would increase the speed of the crouch state.
- Fixed an issue where Naoe had a delay when crouching after moving while aiming a tool.
- Fixed an issue where corner cover camera would not always trigger.
- Fixed an issue with alarm bells respawning after cutscenes. Please don't ring. Please don't ring. Please don't ring.
Combat
- Adjusted the Igan Sunset Tanto perk (i.e. Slow down time on Escape Strike) to prevent endless slow-down when using Escape Strike repeatedly.
- The perk now works as follows: “Slow down time after Escape Strike interrupts enemies”
- Fixed an issue with the Snake Bite ability (Kusarigama) costing more than one chunk of adrenaline. Two fangs. But one bite.
- Fixed an issue where the "Crescent Strike” ability (Naginata) did not deal any damage on its first hit.
- Fixed various issues with perks not functioning correctly.
- Fixed an issue where letters displayed on screen would not automatically close when the player would enter conflict. Listen I’m just trying to read here.
- Fixed an issue where Naoe cannot dodge if she first attacks the Ashigaru Swordsman with a posture attack during "Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki" quest.
- Fixed an issue where the ability wheel would still display the abilities from the previously equipped weapon when being unarmed.
Visuals and Graphics
- Fixed several animation, visual or misplacement issues.
- Fixed various rendering issues.
UI and HUD
- Addressed various UI/HUD issues.
- Addressed localization issues.
- Fixed an issue with the tutorial explaining how to use boats. How do you row this thing?
- Fixed an issue where the four targets of the Pirate Alliance were not aligned on the Objective Board.
- Fixed an issue where the drop-down list is missing for "Text Color" and "Background Color" options in the Captions menu.
Photo Mode
- Fixed various visual issues with Photo Mode.
- Fixed an issue where the last known position visual effect remained visible in Photo Mode.
- Fixed an issue where the Codex Orbs remained present in Photo Mode.
- Fixed an issue where the vignette effect size increases when decreasing the value in Photo Mode.
Hideout
- Fixed an issue where the blacksmith was missing from the hideout. I must upgrade my weapons!
- Fixed an issue where some trinkets could not be accessed in the Forge.
Stability and Performance
- Addressed various crashing and stability issues.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
