Assassin's Creed Shadows Xbox Playstation PC Gaming

[Scotty G]

Read through the changes to the gameplay and it's fairly substantial with a particularly ambitious seasonal weather system that has direct impact on stealth success.

The Setting

• Assassin's Creed Shadows takes place in the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Japanese history. The story begins in 1579 and will continue into the early 1580s. The time period means this is the first game in the series to feature the Assassins and Templars in their 'classic' forms since 2015's Assassin's Creed Syndicate.
• A number of historical figures play prominent roles in the campaign. These include Oda Nobunaga, the "great unifier" of Japan, and Fujibayashi Nagato, a master ninja of the Iga clan.
• Much like Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Shadows features two protagonists and you can switch between them as you play through the campaign. The first of these dual leads is Naoe, the fictional daughter of Fujibayashi Nagato. She is trained by her father to be a skilled shinobi.
• The second protagonist is Yasuke, a real historical figure. Originally from Africa, Yasuke came to Japan with the Portuguese in 1579 and soon became a samurai in the employ of Lord Oda Nobunaga. Shadows is the first Assassin's Creed game to ever let you play as a real person from the past.

Stealth and Parkour

• As the title suggests, light and dark is a major part of Assassin's Creed Shadows' stealth systems. A new global illumination system creates dynamic light and shadows that affect enemy vision. You can now hide in shadows and even create darkness by destroying lanterns or killing torch carriers. A light meter on the UI shows how well concealed you are, from fully visible to completely hidden.
• Servants are a new type of NPC, ranking between civilians and enemies. While they cannot fight, they are able to call in reinforcements and raise alarms. They have their own patrol routes, and carry lanterns at night.
• There is now the option to knock out foes when performing a stealth takedown, allowing for a more pacifist playthrough.
• You can now crawl along the ground in a prone position, allowing you to maintain a lower profile as well as get through small openings.
• Naoe has a grappling hook that can be attached to every roof edge, as well as a number of other anchor points. Unlike the zipline-like grappling hook from Assassin's Creed Syndicate, this rope uses physics simulation to allow dynamic swinging.
• The grappling hook can be used to quickly climb into the ceiling space above corridors, allowing you to lay in wait for enemies patrolling beneath you.
• Eagle vision returns, allowing you to spot silhouettes of NPCs through walls. Enemies are marked in red, while the new servants are coloured orange.
• The drone-like bird, used in Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla to scout out areas and mark targets, is not available in Shadows. You'll need to do your own reconnaissance work.
• As a shinobi, Naoe is the most skilled at stealth. Yasuke can use stealth, but his size and armour plating means he's better at using those skills to get the drop on targets rather than perform a fully silent infiltration.

Combat and RPG Systems

• This era of Japanese warfare did not make use of shields, so your gear does not include any defensive options aside from your armour. Dodges and positioning is paramount.
• As a samurai, Yasuke is able to use his weapon to block incoming attacks and perform parries. Naoe is able to engage in combat, but she is unable to block or parry – instead she can 'deflect' enemy blows. Ubisoft didn't clarify the difference between paries and deflects, but it may be that parries enable counter attacks while deflects are a more evasive tactic.
• Enemy armour has a durability system and can be broken during combat.
• Pretty much every prop in the game is able to be dynamically damaged by your weapons. Katanas will slice through bushes and baskets Fruit Ninja-style, leaving accurate blade marks. Arrows will leave precise puncture marks, while blunt weapons will smash pots into tiny pieces.
• Many period accurate weapons are available to use, including katanas, the kanabō war club, yari spears, shuriken, kunai, and the kusarigama (a sickle on a chain).

Dynamic World and Seasons

• Assassin's Creed Shadows is built upon a newly updated version of the Anvil game engine. The new tech allows for better lighting through global illumination, the new breakable props, more detailed asset meshes, and much less pop-in.
• The new Anvil upgrade has allowed for a season system that sees the world progress through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The current season is dictated by your progress through the campaign in order to maintain historical accuracy, but there are 'steps' that each period goes through to create a sense of authenticity.
• Each season comes with unique features that link to gameplay. For example, in the spring and summer when plants bloom and flower, there will be bushes and long grass to hide in. Later, in autumn and winter, those plants will die and thus remove hiding spots. Water also freezes in winter, which prevents you from entering pools and ponds. Icicles will form on rooftop edges and can fall if disturbed, potentially giving away your position.
• Seasons also affect NPC behaviours. In the summer, enemy samurai cut through bushes in search of you. In the winter, foes stay close to fires and warm places, potentially opening up new, colder paths for you to take.
• A fully dynamic weather system provides appropriate climate conditions based on both the region and season. Severe weather, like deep fog, howling winds, and snow impacts enemy sight and sound. A storm is an opportunity to mask your footsteps.
• The world features a surprisingly detailed ecology system. In spring, for instance, wind will blow gusts of pollen that have been spawned by trees, replicating a real ecosystem.
• The map is similar in size to that featured in Assassin's Creed Origins, and replicates the central region of Japan.
• The map is divided into regions based on Japan's real historical provinces, including Iga (the home of the shinobi), Arima (the location of a major battle), and Omi (an agriculture "bread basket" region.)
• The iconic synchronisation points return, but in a reimagined way. Climbing to the top no longer plots a multitude of icons on your map, nor does it trigger the spinning 'drone' shot of the area. Instead, from this vantage point you're able to survey the area for highlighted points of interest, which you can then seek out when back on the ground. Ubisoft expressed a wish for there to be less icons this time around, and so this appears to be one way of fulfilling that. Thankfully, despite this slight change, synchronisation points still act as fast travel locations.
• Shadows is set during a time of flourishing urbanisation, trade, and warfare. This allows for a wide range of locations, including towns, trading posts, farm land, and colossal castles that have been rendered at near 1:1 scale. Beyond these settled areas are mountains and forests.

Assassinations and Quests

• Shadows features a non-linear campaign largely focused on targets. Ubisoft says that you will be free to track these targets in any order.
• Some targets simply exist in the world and you may stumble upon them organically, without having researched and hunted them first. Others have more structured infiltration-style gameplay attached to them.
• Ubisoft aims to create a more rewarding journey by being a little more hands-off. While the campaign is still objective-focused, the studio hopes to enable more player autonomy by using hints to push players in the right direction rather than outright telling them where to go next.
• Most main quests can be completed as either Yasuke or Naoe, allowing for freedom of approach. However, both characters also have their own specific missions playable only by them, as well as bespoke introduction quests.
• Side quests and world activities are available beyond the main campaign. Notable things to find in the world include castles, temples, shrines, and art.
• You can build up a spy network, with agents who can be sent on missions to gather intelligence on your targets.
• There is a hideout where you and your allies can gather.

 

[David76]

Ubisoft Quebec has shared the full year-one roadmap for Shadows, and to the disappointment of some fans, there is no mention at all of any multiplayer modes. They may be keeping it a secret until a later announcement, but I wouldn't count on it. On the other hand, here's what is definitely coming to Assassin's Creed: Shadows in the next twelve months:

• The first update will land in a week from today, on May 6. It will add a new story quest titled 'The Works of Luis Frois', a Codex update, and some quality of life improvements.
• In late May, Ubisoft Quebec plans to release another sizable update featuring a special collaboration with another franchise. Moreover, the patch will introduce new parkour interactions requested by the community, including height-gaining back flips, fully re-animated height-gaining side flips, and a brand-new parkour move called the Vertical Ledge Jump. This move allows both playable characters to jump and grab onto canopies and lower overhangs—a move that's particularly handy when wall running isn't an option.
• In June, another story drop is coming to Assassin's Creed: Shadows. That includes a new story quest and a new ally for the League. Moreover, the developers will add the Alarm System to the open world, new difficulty settings, and several immersion options like toggles for weapon glints during combat, black-and-white-and-red ability filters, target assassination celebration effects, and stealth outlines. Lastly, players will be able to toggle their headgear during dialogues and cutscenes.

Throughout the rest of 2025, Assassin's Creed Shadows will be updated with the New Game Plus mode, new story drops, more quality-of-life enhancements, more special collaborations, more Codex updates, Animus content and rewards, and, of course, the Claws of Awaji expansion that will introduce a new region with over 10 hours of content. As a reminder, Claws of Awaji is free for anyone who pre-ordered the game, while pricing for everyone else still needs to be communicated.

 

[David76]

An upcoming crossover between Assassin's Creed: Shadows and the popular survival horror game, Dead by Daylight, is set to launch on May 27th and promises to bring some intriguing content to both games.

According to the Assassin's Creed social media, players will be invited to "Step into The Fog," marking the start of a new quest that encourages you to "slip through the shadows" and survive the ordeal. A teaser video has been released, featuring characters Naoe and Yasuke around a campfire, confronted by a mysterious figure enveloped in glowing red flames. While specifics about what the crossover will entail are still under wraps, it's clear that there will be some interesting gameplay elements to explore.

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1922660710095392825

Ubisoft has previously mentioned that Shadows will receive multiple "special collaboration" updates as part of its free post-launch content roadmap. With this announcement, we can expect not just the Dead by Daylight crossover but also enhancements to the photo mode and additional parkour moves on May 27th.

 

[Strawberry Man]

The latest update for Assassin's Creed: Shadows introduces some significant changes, including a challenging nightmare difficulty mode and an intriguing collaboration with Critical Role.

With the nightmare mode, players will face a tougher combat experience where defensive manoeuvres are less effective, and enemies are more intelligent and aggressive. Perfect parries are now essential, and resources for combat are scarcer. This shift aims to elevate the game's challenge level significantly.

On a lighter note, the collaboration with Critical Role adds a new story pack featuring Rufino, a character from a previous official Assassin's Creed-themed oneshot. Players will assist Rufino in thwarting a conspiracy involving assassins targeting influential individuals, gaining him as an ally and receiving a special banner as a reward.

Additionally, quality of life updates include the option to wear headgear during cutscenes, expanded regional alerts that affect the whole province, and new camera presets for horseback riding. For PC players, an Ultra Low visual quality setting has been introduced for those who need it.

Spoiler: Patch Notes 1.0.6

General

• Fixed an issue where the Onryo Mask remained visible despite selecting the option to hide gear.
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to earn Mastery Points.
• Fixed an issue where Mastery Points were not returned after resetting the Mastery Tree.
• Fixed an issue where players could not switch characters anymore even without gameplay context restrictions.
• Fixed an issue where allies could be trained to veteran rank without upgrading the dojo to level 3.
• Fixed an issue where Gennojo did not immediately appear in the hideout after recruitment. He was busy washing his hair!
• Fixed an issue where sometimes a player remains stuck in a Red Zone, without being able to fast travel anywhere, by allowing them to fast travel to the hideout.
• Fixed an issue where the Oni Drawing remains stuck on screen after completing the "Vision of the Realms" quest.
• Fixed various localization issues.

Quests

• Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the "A Chance Encounter" quest when following Fuyu.
• Fixed an issue where players could not complete the quest after defeating all Kabukimono.
• Fixed an issue where Lady Oichi's letter became unavailable after the Fuji-maru cutscene.
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to talk to Katsuhime in the crop field when she was sitting on the ground. She just wanted some peace and quiet!
• Fixed an issue where tracking the "Temple Stories" quest only showed a progress bar with no text.
• Fixed an issue where Genzaburo's Teppo Master was missing from the Kaya Shrine.
• Fixed an issue where Yagyu Munetoshi revealed a later plot point too early in the "Nobutsuna's Students" quest.
• Fixed an issue where players could not assassinate the Godai of Void because the NPC was missing. He took his name too seriously.
• Fixed an issue where players could not complete the "Diary of Lady Rokkaku" quest after dodge rolling and dropping Katsuhime.
• Fixed an issue where players could not complete the "Diary of Lady Rokkaku" quest when there was no immediate option to carry Katsuhime.
• Fixed an issue where players glitched through an anomaly in the "Heads Will Roll" quest, making Animus activities unavailable.
• Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the "Lost Honor" quest because the game failed to switch to Naoe.
• Fixed an issue where players could not progress through the Tournament after dying.

Visuals & Graphics

• Fixed some minor visual issues.
• Fixed misplaced visual elements with the Dark Woods Kusarigama.
• Fixed an issue where all NPC horses appeared as identical.
• Fixed a clipping issue with Naoe's Sekiryu outfit.
• Fixed an issue with the "Bloodshade Katana" being visible out of the sheath when transmogged.
• Fixed a movement physics issue with the Dead by Daylight Oni's armor.

Audio

• Fixed an issue where footstep audio occasionally ceased when opening the map while moving.

AC Shadows Title Update 1.0.6 - Release Notes

Tomorrow, June 25, we will be releasing Title Update 1.0.6 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows @ 2 pm UTC / 10 am EDT / 7 am PT.

www.ubisoft.com

 

[Tom]

The Assassin's Creed franchise continues to evolve with the upcoming updates for Assassin's Creed: Shadows. Fans can look forward to two significant enhancements: a New Game+ mode launching on July 29th and a quality-of-life update in September.



The New Game+ feature allows players to carry over their character levels, gear, Knowledge Ranks, and Hideout progression into a fresh playthrough. While story progression will reset, players can bypass tutorials and start right at the exciting parts of the game, with a raised level cap from 60 to 80, new Knowledge Ranks, and additional upgrades for the Hideout and Forge.

Following closely, the September update will introduce several quality-of-life improvements. This includes a map that unfogs after viewpoint synchronisation, the ability to change the time of day, and enhancements to the Hideout and Forge - a perfect lead-up to the Claws of Awaji expansion set to release on September 16th.

Moreover, PC players can expect cutscenes to feature uncapped frame rates, along with other surprises that will resonate with long-time series fans.

For those invested in the Assassin's Creed universe, these updates are certainly worth watching for!

• New Game+ launches on July 29th.
• Players can carry over progression elements into a new playthrough.
• Level cap increased from 60 to 80 with additional upgrades.
• Quality-of-life update scheduled for September, enhancing gameplay experience.
• Claws of Awaji expansion arrives on September 16th.

 

[David76]

In the ever-evolving universe of Assassin's Creed, the upcoming expansion, Claws of Awaji, scheduled for release on September 16th, introduces a thrilling twist to gameplay. As players guide Naoe and Yasuke through the treacherous Awaji Island, they'll encounter a unique feature: enemies that can disguise themselves as ordinary citizens.

This expansion promises over 10 hours of new content, including fresh armour sets and the introduction of the Bo Stave weapon, which features Legendary variants. The new biomes, ranging from beaches to swamps and jungles, not only enhance the visual appeal but also serve as strategic settings where ambushes can occur.

The narrative deepens as players confront a formidable faction, complete with unique bosses that challenge players in unexpected ways. This narrative progression continues from where Shadows left off, urging players to complete the main quest before diving into this new adventure.

As players prepare for the release, it's crucial to be aware of this new layer of threat posed by enemies blending into the environment, adding to the already intense atmosphere of the game.

 

[Strawberry Man]

Ubisoft has announced there will not be a second major DLC expansion for Assassin's Creed: Shadows, following the release of Claws of Awaji. This news comes from Simon Lemay-Comtois, the associate game director, who disclosed in a recent interview that the focus for the second year will shift towards smaller, more reactive content updates rather than substantial expansions.

Traditionally, titles in the Assassin's Creed series have received multiple significant expansions; for example, Origins and Odyssey both had two, while Valhalla featured three. The decision to limit Shadows to a single expansion appears to stem from the challenges associated with its development, particularly the technological advancements required for the game's engine, which has led to complications and delays.

Moving forward, Ubisoft aims to provide "chunkier updates" that will still engage the community without the expectations of a full season pass model. This change could also be indicative of broader restructuring within Ubisoft, as they work on aligning resources and strategies in light of recent performance issues with other titles.

 

[David76]

Ubisoft has rolled out Title Update 1.1.6 for Assassin's Creed: Shadows, introducing exciting new content and important gameplay fixes.

New Quests

• The update features a new story quest titled "A Puzzlement," where players Naoe and Yasuke must solve the mystery of a locked door in South Wakasa, learning new skills along the way.
• Additionally, there's a time-limited quest inspired by Attack on Titan, involving a Titan-Shifter kidnapped to feudal Japan. Players will assist a survivor with a hidden agenda in stopping this threat.

Gameplay Enhancements
This patch also addresses various gameplay issues:

• Fixed a double transmog exploit with the Sword of Fathoms Katana.
• Resolved issues preventing the acquisition of certain pets and ensuring loadout slots do not reset after quests.
• Improvements to combat mechanics, including correct finisher executions and summoned allies' behaviour.

Technical Fixes
Overall stability has been improved, including resolving crashes in specific menus and fixing UI issues regarding pricing.

Patch Notes Highlights:

• New story quest "A Puzzlement" and Attack on Titan crossover quest.
• Fixes for bugs related to gear, quests, and combat.
• Stability improvements and UI corrections.

This update enhances the gaming experience in Assassin's Creed: Shadows, ensuring smoother gameplay and an enriched narrative journey. For a complete list of changes, check the full patch notes below.

 

[David76]

Ubisoft's latest patch for Assassin's Creed: Shadows, titled Update 1.1.7, is set to enhance gameplay significantly with a range of new features and fixes. Here's a breakdown of what players can expect:

Key Features of Update 1.1.7:

• New finishers for characters Naoe and Yasuke, allowing for more stylish and brutal combat endings.
• Introduction of a new Rift within the Animu, featuring puzzles and secrets for players to uncover alongside The Guide.
• Improved FPS stability and input responsiveness for PC players, addressing common performance issues.
• Several quality-of-life fixes, including the ability to whistle while using the Follow Road feature and preventing enemies from respawning incorrectly when loading old saves.
• Enhanced facial animations for Naoe and Yasuke during cutscenes, improving immersion.

Gameplay Fixes:

• Addressed exploits, including removing the ability for double engravings on the Sword of Fathoms.
• Resolved inventory issues with Knowledge Scrolls and ensured shared skills unlock correctly for both characters.
• Refinements to perks affected by Mastery points, ensuring they update correctly.

The patch also includes various other bug fixes and UI adjustments to enhance the overall player experience. As usual, players can expect the update to be automatically downloaded via Steam and Ubisoft Connect.

For those interested in the full changelog and detailed patch notes, they contain some spoilers, so proceed with caution.

Spoiler: Full Patch Notes

Assassin's Creed: Shadows Patch 1.1.7 Release Notes

• Removed an exploit that would permit double engravings on the Sword of Fathoms.
• Fixed an issue preventing Naginatas from being sold. Fine, I shall sell my best wares somewhere else!
• Resolved an issue where perks that checked Mastery points spent would not update if Mastery points changed after equipping the item.
• Fixed an issue where upgrading skills to Rank 3 would sometimes cause damage upgrades from Rank 2 to be missing.
• The Bo Staff will now increase its affliction buildup stat when upgrading it Mythic and Artifact quality.
• Perks with affliction effects now have dynamic wording that specify which affliction they apply, based on the item they are engraved on.
• Fixed an issue where Knowledge Scrolls were removed from the players inventory. Junjiro did you take my scrolls again??
• Shared skills between Naoe and Yasuke will now correctly be learned by both.
• Edited wording for the "Affliction After Deflect" perk to clarify it applies 35% buildup instead of a full Affliction.
• Ensured that "Restore 6% Health With Posture Attack" is present for all Critical Damage and Health Gain engravings for all weapons when equipped.

Claws of Awaji

• Fixed an issue where players with two copies of the game, one with the Claws of Awaji Expansion and one without, would permanently lose the ability to fast travel to the island of Awaji when switching between the two editions of the game.

World

• Players can now whistle while using the Follow Road mechanic. Enjoy the open road, whistle a tune and relax!
• Corrupted Castles will no longer reset when loading into a previous save after a season has already changed.
• Fixed an issue where enemies and loot would respawn upon loading a save before changing seasons.

Visuals & Graphics

• Adjusted some facial animation for Naoe or Yasuke that looked unnatural during all cinematics when a hood was equipped. Psst! Naoe, stop making silly faces, please!

UI

• Corrected inconsistencies between the smuggled rewards shown in the UI at the end of a season and what was truly received. All the goods are there, boss!
• Fixed inconsistencies with the smuggled rewards UI when the Stables are upgraded. Remember to give your trusty steed an apple as a treat.
• Corrected location name for "Kawarajiri Lumber Camp" in Japanese.

Online Store

• Fixed an issue with receiving Store, Deluxe and Premium items into the player's inventory.

PC SPECIFIC

• Fixed inputs issues when rebinding on Mouse and Keyboard.
• Improved FPS stability issues on PC.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Quests

• "Swords And Sake": Fixed an issue where the mission couldn't be completed due to Gennojo dying.
• "Eliminate Outlaws": Corrected issues preventing the completion of the mission.
• "Temple Stories": Ensured that Joken Hokkyo will not disappear so that the quest objective can be completed. Wait! Don't go! I need to complete this mission!
• "Dismantling One by One": Wandering enemies will now be indicated with a marker.

 

[Scotty G]

Ubisoft has unveiled the Winter Roadmap which introduces exciting updates for players.



Key highlights include:

Community Parkour Challenge: Players can participate by creating a unique one-shot parkour run, which they can upload to YouTube by March 8th. This is a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills and potentially win prizes.

New Gameplay Features: A full manual jump and a detailed stats page for tracking performance will enhance gameplay. These features will be available as of February 17th.

Claws of Awaji Expansion: Scheduled for release on March 10th for the Switch 2, this expansion promises over 10 hours of new content, including a new region, weapons, outfits, and a new enemy faction.

Anniversary Celebrations: On March 20th, the game will celebrate its first anniversary with livestreams and giveaways.

The game has seen significant success since its launch, with over five million players reported last July. However, the franchise has faced challenges, including the departure of key leadership and ongoing legal issues involving former franchise head Marc-Alexis Côté.

Additionally, Netflix's adaptation of Assassin's Creed is gaining traction, with casting developments hinting at a promising future for the franchise in other media.

 

[David76]

Ubisoft has rolled out Title Update 1.1.10, and it's set to go live tomorrow. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect from this new patch.

New Features
One of the standout features of this update is the introduction of a non-legendary Bo weapon. Now, you can find this by exploring the shadowy corners of Feudal Japan. Once you've got your hands on at least one Unique Bo, you'll start spotting non-legendary versions popping up from enemies, chests, and merchants. Pretty handy, right?

Console Improvements
For console players, there are some notable enhancements. The patch adds support for PSSR2 on the PS5 Pro, promising a sharper and more immersive experience as you traverse the game's stunning landscapes. Plus, if you're a fan of the Nintendo Switch 2, you'll be pleased to hear that mouse and keyboard support is finally here. This should give you a whole new level of control over your gameplay.

Bug Fixes
As with most updates, there are a bunch of bug fixes included. Here are a few highlights:

• Fast travel points, which were previously unavailable, should now be accessible.
• Enemies can now be afflicted by up to five different ailments at once.
• Various stat cap issues have been resolved, ensuring that your character's stats reflect correctly.

Sizing Up the Update
For those on PC, the update will be a hefty 14.66GB on Ubisoft Connect, but if you're on Steam, it's a much leaner 4.4GB. The patch goes live at 14:00 UTC, so mark your calendars!

In Summary
This update looks promising with some great new features and fixes. I'm particularly excited about the new weapon drops and the enhancements for console players.