Today, Ubisoft announced that the next instalment in the long-running Assassin’s Creed action-adventure franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, will be released worldwide starting 15 November 2024. As one would expect for Ubisoft’s flagship franchise, you will be able to pick yourself up a copy on multiple platforms, including the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (via the Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store), and Macs with Apple Silicon via the Mac App Store. The game is also the first in the franchise to not support last-generation gaming consoles, such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 – meaning an upgrade or platform pivot may be required to play this latest instalment.
After last working on 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Ubisoft Québec is at the helm of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, with the support of a range of other Ubisoft development teams. This time around there will be a substantial change of scenery, moving from 9th Century Baghdad to 16th Century Japan. The country is heading towards a brutal path to unification, and unrest grows as new coalitions appear and corruptive foreign influences infiltrate the land.
Players will follow the stories of Naoe, a skilled shinobi Assassin from the Iga Province, and Yasuke, the legendary samurai. The game will delve into their personal journeys, introduce significant historical figures, and shape the shared destiny of Naoe and Yasuke as they bring about a new era in Japan.
In the game, players can master two distinct playstyles, with each character having their own progression paths, skills, weapon options, and stats. Naoe’s gameplay focuses on stealth, using light, noise, shadows, and surroundings for infiltration, while Yasuke’s gameplay centres on combat, allowing players to engage large groups of enemies with precision.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as we have come to expect from the franchise, will feature a vast open world with diverse landscapes that evolve with weather and seasons. From castle towns and bustling ports to shrines and pastoral landscapes, the game aims to bring feudal Japan to life with dynamic environments built using the latest version of the Anvil engine and the capabilities of new-generation consoles.
In this troubled period, information is key and will be at the heart of the renewed exploration mechanics. Players will build their own spy network to unveil new areas and hunt down targets. Allies with highly specialized skills and abilities can also be recruited to help during missions. The creation of their own customisable hideout will enable players to enhance their network and train their new crew.
Expect to hear more about Assassin’s Creed Shadows in the coming months leading to its launch.
