Summary
- Assassin's Creed Shadows will focus on player-driven exploration and will share fewer details about the game's locations upfront.
- The eagle mechanic is seemingly being removed in favor of player-driven scouting.
- After delays, Assassin's Creed Shadows will now be released on March 20, 2025.
Ubisoft has revealed more information about the open-world mechanics and exploration found in the upcoming title Assassin's Creed Shadows, providing some unique details about the way players will unveil new locations and navigate the world. All the new details surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows appeared recently in a new article from the developer on the series' official website earlier this week.
The anticipation surrounding the newest Assassin's Creed game has been huge, especially given Ubisoft's latest series of critical and financial troubles as its recent titles have struggled in terms of sales and critical reception. While it is unclear if the company's recent troubles influenced the decision, Assassin's Creed Shadows has seen two separate delays, with the game now scheduled to be released on March 20.
Assassin's Creed Shadows' Canon Mode Would Fit Right In With One Industry Trend
Assassin's Creed Shadows is introducing a 'Canon' mode to its choice-based story, and that's something one current industry trend could use as well.
For now, at least, fans can get a new look at some of the core gameplay and exploration mechanics after a new article on the official Ubisoft website detailed how finding new locations and unveiling the open world will work. The article includes new information about the open world of Assassin's Creed Shadows, which is reportedly putting more emphasis on player-driven exploration rather than sharing details about different locations with the player upfront.
Assassin's Creed Shadows' Open World Brings Both New and Old Mechanics
This is similar to how icons have worked in previous games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which sought to encourage players to explore by filling the map with unknown landmarks and providing rewards for exploring them. However, it seemingly offers plenty of new mechanics as well, such as a change to how viewpoints work, which will no longer reveal entire sections of the map, instead revealing unknown markers meant for players to check out on their own time.
Players will also be able to reveal safehouses throughout the map which will let them rest and replenish their health and supplies, serving as extensions of the player's main home base at their in-game hideout. Similarly, Assassin's Creed Shadows is changing up the eagle mechanic, which is seemingly being removed in favor of player-driven scouting, tasking players with finding vantage points to track enemy movements on their own.
For those looking for more guidance to get where they're going, the game will also feature a pathfinder that will leave a transparent line on the player's path to show them the fastest route to a waypoint or objective. In any case, the game seems to have a lot of new things on offer for both new and longtime fans, who can see more of Assassin's Creed Shadows with recent art and character reveals.
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.
- Engine
- AnvilNext
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
