Assassin's Creed Shadows

DrDamn

This new AC from Ubisoft has caught my attention. I had initially been a little disappointed that they had finally got to Japan when we were awash with titles in a similar vein - Ghost of Tsushima 1 & 2, Rise of Ronin etc.

It is the first one where X1 and PS4 have been left behind and this looks to have been beneficial as they overhauled the graphics/engine in line with this. Reviews have been decent - not going to sway non-fans but a solid to exceptional entry in the series.

What has peaked my interest most has been the graphical options and use of RT hardware. We get the usual Performance and Quality modes and a Balanced (40fps) mode between. However it’s not just a resolution bump separating them. Rather than RT just being used for reflections and shadows the focus is more on Global Illumination which is present in both Quality and Balanced modes. This has some quite stark and obvious benefits - see the comparison shots on the DF page linked below.

https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2025-assassins-creed-shadows-ps5-series-x-slives-up-to-its-tech-potential

Wasn’t all that interested on announcement - now quite keen.

Brave

Me too but more so because apparently they’ve left the awful corporate espionage HR simulator stuff out of the game, although it might appear in the new hub thing.

I’ve always found that to be cringe inducing and filled with universally unlikeable characters, so I’m actually probably going to buy this.

Gordon

I’m also probably in. I bounced off Valhalla and didn’t play Mirage, this one looks very pretty and I am incredibly shallow, so it’s probably time.

DrDamn

Performance Mode on Pro seems to be the way to go, with RTGI included.

Alex

I’m onboard as I’m a big fan of Assassin’s Creed. Valhalla was fun for a bit but got too repetitive in the mid-game grind. Mirage was alright but was a bit bland overall.

In complete agreement with Brave about them finally ditching the modern day stuff, although truth be told the last couple have barely had any of it anyway.

Gordon

Alex The very first thing that happens is some animus nonsense, albeit brief. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Brave

Gordon isn’t that the animus hub though? Which is an overarching hub for AC games going forward. I’m desperately clinging to a paragraph I read which said it’s not really in the actual game.

Brave

Nope. Nope. Just watched a different review and it’s there. 😔

Gordon

The opening cutscene is some sort of corporate mindfulness video occasionally interrupted by someone trying to break into the video stream to tell you to wake up. It’s only a minute or so long but it’s definitely there. Fortunately not long after that you get to chop heads off with a samurai sword.

Gordon

The hub is a separate thing and seems to just be a launcher for other AC games and a place for all the Ubi Connect nonsense.

DrDamn

Going to try an hold out for first price drop on this, so early adopters please temper your praise until then 😉

Brave

DrDamn Going to try an hold out for first price drop on this

I feel hoodwinked

DrDamn

Brave I mean it’s Ubisoft, so it’ll be a good 4 or 5 weeks before it’s reduced. 😃

DrDamn

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/03/20/8-ways-assassins-creed-shadows-breaks-free-from-its-predecessors/

Gordon

Played about the first three hours, I made it past the late title card and (I think) the tutorial. It does seem very good. Very polished, looks fantastic and runs great, controls are nice and responsive. It does seem that on default difficulty, you actually need to pay attention in combat when playing as Naoe. If you just mash attack you die pretty fast, you need to dodge and parry, the timing of which is fairly generous thankfully. Haven’t played Yasuke much but he seems a lot more forgiving, what with the heavy armour and big sword. It’s still AC but it feels like the best it’s been to me.

DrDamn

Gordon It’s still AC but it feels like the best it’s been to me.

That’s not tempering is it now?

Gordon

DrDamn You started it

DrDamn

Alright already, I bought it. 😁

Alex

FYI cdkeys have got £70 top up for £60.99.

DrDamn

Alex yeah I did that, plus the points you get is effectively another £3-ish in credit. #FeebleJustifications 😊