Assassin's Creed Shadows, the highly anticipated next chapter in Ubisoft's acclaimed franchise, arrives on March 20, 2025. Set in 16th century Japan during the pivotal Azuchi-Momoyama period—a time of transition between the war-torn Sengoku era and the peaceful Edo period—this next-generation title delivers the Japanese setting fans have been requesting for years.

Two Legendary Warriors, One Epic Story

For the first time since Assassin's Creed Syndicate, players can experience the story through two distinct protagonists with complementary playstyles:

Yasuke – Based on the historical first Black samurai, Yasuke wields devastating weapons like the kanabo and katana in direct, powerful combat. As a formidable samurai, he commands respect on the battlefield, with enemies often showing fear in his presence. His journey explores themes of honor, justice, and belonging in a foreign land.

Naoe – The fictional daughter of historical figure Fujibayashi Nagato, Naoe represents the classic Assassin archetype with enhanced stealth capabilities. Armed with the iconic Hidden Blade and a physics-based grappling hook, she can navigate the environment with unparalleled agility. Naoe introduces the series' first-ever prone mechanic, allowing players to crawl through grass and tight spaces to remain concealed.

Revolutionary Stealth and Combat Systems

Assassin's Creed Shadows refines the franchise's core gameplay with innovative new mechanics:

• Dynamic Environmental Factors: Weather, seasons, and time of day directly impact stealth and combat. Heavy rain forces high-ranking enemies indoors, while snow can reduce the effectiveness of grass as cover.

• Enhanced Detection System: Your stance, noise level, and environmental conditions affect how quickly enemies spot you. The new Expert Mode offers an additional challenge for stealth enthusiasts.

• Refined Parkour: Moving away from the "climb anything" approach of recent titles, Shadows features more deliberate and refined movement systems.

• Physics-Based Grappling Hook: Unlike Syndicate's grappling hook, Naoe's kusarigama follows the laws of physics, adding both versatility and risk to traversal.

A Living, Breathing Japan

Ubisoft Quebec has created their most immersive open world to date:

• Non-Linear Approach: Rather than following a strict quest path, players can hunt targets in any order, with synchronization points now serving as true vantage points rather than map-revealing mechanics.

• Cultural Attention to Detail: From NPCs reacting differently to samurai versus shinobi, to characters automatically removing their shoes indoors, Shadows demonstrates a deep respect for Japanese culture.

• Cinematic Storytelling: With over 700 cutscenes inspired by modern Japanese cinema, the game delivers an emotional narrative that begins with a powerful prologue setting high expectations for the journey ahead.

Available Platforms and Release Information

Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, macOS, and iPadOS. As a true next-gen title, it will not be available on PS4 or Xbox One.

• Console Release: Midnight local time on March 20

• PC Release: Varies by platform (Steam, Ubisoft Connect, Epic Games Store)

• Pre-load: Available now on Xbox Series X|S, March 18 at midnight local time on PS5, and March 17 at 4pm GMT on PC

• Install Size: Approximately 107GB

Whether you're drawn to Yasuke's powerful combat, Naoe's refined stealth, or the rich historical setting of feudal Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows promises to deliver the definitive Assassin's Creed experience that fans have been waiting for.

Standard Edition Includes: