Assassin’s Creed: Shadows (Top Seller Year-to-Date 2025)

Exploring the Feudal Japan Adventure That’s Captivating Gamers

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has taken the gaming world by storm, securing its place as one of the top-selling games of 2025, second only to Monster Hunter Wilds in the U.S. market. Set in the vibrant and turbulent world of 16th-century feudal Japan during the Sengoku period, this action-adventure masterpiece from Ubisoft Quebec blends historical authenticity with thrilling gameplay. With its dual protagonists, breathtaking open world, and refined mechanics, Shadows delivers an experience that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers. This blog post dives into what makes Assassin’s Creed: Shadows a standout title, exploring its gameplay, narrative, and cultural impact in an informative tone tailored for general readers.

A Tale of Two Heroes: Naoe and Yasuke

At the heart of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is the compelling duo of Naoe, a skilled kunoichi (female shinobi) from Iga Province, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai who brings raw power to the battlefield. Their intertwined stories revolve around a quest to dismantle the Shinbakufu, a secretive organization sowing chaos in Japan. The narrative, while not revolutionary, is engaging, with a focus on personal stakes—Naoe’s quest for revenge and Yasuke’s confrontation with his past demons. The game’s tone is more serious than previous entries, drawing comparisons to the acclaimed TV series Shōgun for its respectful and naturalistic portrayal of feudal Japan. Players can choose dialogue responses, adding subtle depth to interactions, where a wrong word might shift an NPC’s expression, hinting at the delicate social dynamics of the era.

The dual-protagonist system is a highlight, offering complementary playstyles. Naoe excels in stealth, using tools like kunai, shuriken, and smoke bombs, along with parkour and a grappling hook to navigate environments. Yasuke, by contrast, is a force of nature in combat, wielding katanas with brutal precision. This flexibility allows players to approach missions in multiple ways—sneak through a castle as Naoe or charge in as Yasuke, each choice shaping the experience. Critics note that Naoe’s stealth-focused abilities often feel more versatile, but Yasuke’s combat dominance is satisfyingly intense, making both characters rewarding to play.

A Living, Breathing Feudal Japan

The open world of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is a visual and immersive triumph. Spanning castle towns, bustling ports, serene shrines, and war-torn landscapes, the game’s environment is comparable in size to Assassin’s Creed: Origins. Dynamic weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments add depth—ponds freeze in winter, affecting stealth options, while cherry blossoms and autumn fields create stunning vistas. Players have shared breathtaking screenshots of these landscapes, from bamboo forests to snowy settlements, highlighting the game’s artistry.

Unlike earlier titles that overwhelmed players with map icons, Shadows encourages exploration through a refined objective board system, inspired by Assassin’s Creed: Mirage. Instead of pinpointing targets, players rely on clues and a network of scouts to track objectives, fostering a sense of discovery. While some feel this system could be more interactive, it reduces the checklist fatigue of past entries and rewards thoughtful exploration. Activities like sumi-e painting, kofun raids, and bandit-hunting quests enrich the world, offering rewards like gear and hideout upgrades.

Gameplay: Polished and Punishing

Shadows refines the series’ modern RPG formula, blending the open-world scope of Valhalla and Odyssey with the stealth focus of earlier games. New mechanics, such as going prone, hiding in shadows, and using a bamboo stick to breathe underwater, enhance stealth gameplay. The return of Eagle Vision for Naoe and the new “Observe” mode for gathering intel add strategic depth. Combat is more challenging, relying on parries and precise timing, making every fight feel earned. The progression system, with Mastery Points and build-specific customization, ensures players can tailor their experience to their preferred playstyle.

The game’s polish is evident in its upgraded Anvil engine, which supports dynamic lighting and breakable objects. Critics praise the combat as some of the best in the series, with visually explosive abilities and devastating combo finishers. However, some note that long cutscenes and repetitive enemy encounters can drag, particularly early on. Despite these critiques, the gameplay loop remains engaging, with missions offering flexibility and rewarding creativity.

Sales Success and Cultural Impact

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has achieved remarkable commercial success, topping U.S. sales charts for three weeks in March 2025 and ranking as the second-best-selling game of the year. Ubisoft reported over 3 million players within a week of its March 20, 2025, launch, surpassing Origins and Odyssey in the same period. It also set a record for Ubisoft’s best day-one performance on the PlayStation Store. While it trails Valhalla—a “perfect storm” release during the 2020 pandemic—Shadows’ performance is a win for Ubisoft, especially after the underperformance of titles like Star Wars Outlaws.

The game faced pre-release controversies, particularly over the inclusion of Yasuke as a Black samurai and Naoe as a female protagonist, with some online campaigns accusing Ubisoft of cultural disrespect. These claims were largely debunked, as Yasuke is a historically attested figure, and Ubisoft consulted experts like Sachi Schmidt-Hori to ensure accurate dialogue. The controversy, while intense, did not derail sales, proving the resilience of the franchise’s broad appeal. Posts on X and Reddit reflect strong community support, with fans praising the game’s return to form and dismissing the backlash as manufactured.

Why Shadows Stands Out

For general readers, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows offers a compelling mix of history, action, and exploration. Its feudal Japan setting, long requested by fans, is brought to life with meticulous detail, rivaling games like Ghost of Tsushima. The dual protagonists provide variety, catering to players who prefer stealth or direct combat. While the story may not reach the emotional heights of earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed II, the gameplay and world design make it a must-play. With upcoming DLC like Claws of Awaji and crossover content with Balatro and Dead by Daylight, Shadows promises to keep players engaged.

Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows invites you to step into a beautifully crafted world where every castle climb and hidden blade strike feels epic. Its success in 2025 underscores the enduring appeal of Ubisoft’s flagship franchise, proving that even after nearly two decades, the Creed still has stories to tell.

FAQs

Q: What platforms is Assassin’s Creed: Shadows available on?

A: The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC (via Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store), macOS, and Amazon Luna. An iPadOS version is planned for a later release.

Q: Can I play as both Naoe and Yasuke in the same mission?

A: Yes, most missions allow you to choose between Naoe or Yasuke, each with unique playstyles. Some scenarios favor one character’s skills, but you can switch between them for flexibility.

Q: How does the game handle historical accuracy?

A: Shadows takes a naturalistic approach, blending historical figures and events with fictional elements. Ubisoft consulted experts to ensure accurate dialogue and cultural details, though some creative liberties are taken for gameplay.

Q: Is the game suitable for new players to the series?

A: Yes, the story is self-contained, and the gameplay is accessible, though fans of the series may appreciate references to the broader Assassin’s Creed lore. The objective board system makes quests easier to follow for newcomers.

Q: What are the main criticisms of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows?

A: Some players find the story predictable and the early game repetitive due to long cutscenes and frequent enemy encounters. The scout network system could also be more interactive. However, these are minor compared to the game’s strengths.

Q: Are there any expansions planned?

A: Yes, a DLC expansion called Claws of Awaji is scheduled for later in 2025, introducing a new region and faction. Crossover content with Balatro and Dead by Daylight is also available.