Unsheathing the Nostalgia Sword: "Assassin's Creed Shadows" Takes a Swing at a Fresh Start
"Assassin's Creed: Shadows Pulls Off Near-Impossible Feats"
By some fans' preferences, the "Assassin's Creed" series is a thorn in Ubisoft's side. Cries for change echo in the winds, as players dispute over the past greatness and the lackluster present. But the winds of change are upon us with "Assassin's Creed Shadows." This Japan adventure sets out to reclaim the franchise's lost glory, and it does so with a twist.
Oh, "Assassin's Creed." With thirteen main games and countless expansions, it's no wonder the series is at the center of a heated debate. Some crave a return to the series' roots, focusing on stealth and unnoticed assassinations, while others prefer the new RPG direction. Alliances form between those yearning for more of the overarching present-day storyline and those who see it as dull.
Adding fuel to the fire, Ubisoft faces a financial storm: plummeting stock prices and rumors of sales loom over them. And amid this storm, "Assassin's Creed Shadows" finds itself in a near-impossible position - a make-or-break game that seeks to reunite the fans. Does it sail through the tempest or and capsize?
Masterpiece Multiplayer Experience: "Split Fiction" Leaves Jaws Agape
Just the Beginning: Mastering the Art of Storytelling
The tale in "Assassin's Creed Shadows" sets a passionate tone, graced by impressive visuals and a captivating soundtrack that isn't afraid to raise the stakes. True, the story employs tired tropes - murdered parent (the fifth), revenge against a secret order, a list of bad guys to eliminate. But Naoe and Yasuke are compelling characters who couldn't be more different, creating a captivating dynamic. Their violent quest for vengeance through 16th-century Japan is enticing, indeed.
This story is set against the backdrop of the famed warlord Oda Nobunaga. Yasuke, a black slave of Portuguese missionaries, finds himself in Japan and under Nobunaga's wing, both as a recruited samurai and a pupil. As a foreigner in Japan, Yasuke grapples with identity, while Naoe, a shinobi assassin hailing from the Iga province, seeks revenge against Nobunaga for destroying her home. At first, the two are enemies, but that changes swiftly.
What "Assassin's Creed Shadows" does exceptionally well is crafting dramatic moments. Lightning flashes, heavy rain pours down, and Yasuke stands defiant against a torrent of enemies, brandishing his katana - be still, my heart! These scenes are fun! The development team poured copious effort into key moments, and it shows.
However, "Shadows" stumbles in the space between the breathtaking moments. Underdeveloped characters, improperly set-up plot twists, and confusing decisions plague the narrative. A myriad of underdeveloped side characters add to the confusion, as the narrative becomes scrambled. The myriad of flashbacks to the past of the two main characters offer a saving grace, as Naoe, Yasuke, and their most important companions take center stage.
Journey to Amazon: The game is more compact than its predecessors, with approximately 40-50 hours of main story, and this change was a smart one that benefited the narrative. Ubisoft could have used this opportunity to craft a less sprawling and more focused story, but the multitude of underdeveloped side characters left room for improvement.
A World Worth Gazing Upon - With Caveats
It must be said: "Shadows" sports a stunning world. The game's dynamic seasons combine with vibrant scenery to create a visual spectacle. "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful games on the market - save for a minor part. Facial animations, while impressive in cinematic cutscenes, leave much to be desired in normal dialogues.
The flaw lies in Ubisoft's open world: exploration is discouraged. Meaningful side missions are relegated to the quest menu, leaving the player to stumble upon repetitive combat scenes and virtually non-existent discoveries in the dense forests. While there is a seen reduction in busywork from previous games, it still becomes repetitive quickly. The forests' dense foliage makes for a disappointing exploration experience, as nearly all action takes place along the roads.
Seeking a Screen to Shatter: The game's multiplayer experience, "Split Fiction," stands out as one of the most immersive co-op experiences out there ## The Gameplay: Where "Shadows" Reclaims Its Throne
"Assassin's Creed's" identity crisis between stealth and open-world RPG finds a compelling resolution in "Shadows": two characters embodying each style. And it works seamlessly. The two characters play distinctly. Yasuke is a force of nature, with powerful, impactful attacks and the ability to absorb a great deal of damage. However, sneaking with the samurai is almost comical, as he struggles mightily. This is when it's time to give Naoe the reins. The nimble, agile shinobi can climb difficult walls with ease, evade unsuspecting guards, and infiltrate fortresses without raising the alarm. But if discovered, one must defend oneself tactically - Naoe barely stands a chance against powerful foes. The switch between the two is swift and usually manageable.
Stealth and combat sequences exhibit depth, surpassing their predecessors. We may now extinguish lights and utilize shadows to our advantage. Naoe has an assortment of tools at her disposal and can also crawl. While "Shadows" is far from the stealth complexity of "Hitman," it provides a satisfying experience that plays like the more arcadey sibling of "Ghost of Tsushima." Roaming a fortress filled with guards as Naoe's elusive shadow is one of the game's greatest highlights. The intense, Yasuke-filled battles offer a nice change of pace.
Genre-Testing "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2": Patience is a virtue in this medieval RPGTest** The Quest System: A Good Idea with a Glaring Flaw
We manage our quests through a map with varying categories: tasks related to Naoe and Yasuke's backstories, various organizations we must destroy, and various groups of people we can aid. This gives the player plenty of freedom to tailor their Japan adventure. However, the problem lies in the lack of clarity in the quest system. The main story isn't clearly marked, leading the narrative to fragment and feel aimless at times. The feeling of a to-do list so common in Ubisoft games rears its head.
Many quests unfold in the same pattern: using clues on the objective board, we set out for the quest location, engage in some dialogue and combat, scout, head back to the quest location, chat, and engage in combat again. After completing a few of these quests, we find ourselves taking down a particularly important enemy. This can lead to unwanted monotony.
If one is willing to read subtitles, one can experience the story in immersive mode. In this mode, each character speaks their native language, offering an authentic experience. While the German voice acting is decent, this version boasts superior quality.
Is It Worth a Dime?
"Assassin's Creed Shadows" has a colossal responsibility - a nearly impossible one: to appease a fractured fanbase and restore the series' former glory. So, does it skip through the fields or stumble and fall?
"Shadows" rises to the challenge, offering an improved and adapted version of past installments with a few innovative twists. Fans of "Origins," "Odyssey," and perhaps even "Valhalla" will find themselves bewitched by "Shadows," with some fresh yet familiar gaming experiences. "Shadows" also casts a bone to fans of the classic "Assassin's Creed" feel by incorporating this Japan spin-off.
The balance between stealth and RPG elements is well-executed, but it wobbles at times. The split between two main characters is an excellent idea, executed flawlessly. The gameplay is loads of fun, the world is breathtaking, and the staging is often exhilarating. The story has many intriguing premises, but it lacks a clear narrative thread and focus. Organic exploration is rarely rewarded, with Players relying on the quest menu to uncover new tasks. "Shadows" doesn't entirely shake off the to-do list feeling that plagues Ubisoft's formula.
Despite this, "Shadows" is ultimately a very successful game. Japan-enthusiast newcomers to the series will feel they've gotten their money's worth, while fans wanting a dramatic reset or consistent return to the series' roots may be left wanting.
- Ubisoft faces several challenges, including the financial storm brought on by plummeting stock prices and rumors of sales, as they strive to reunite the fractured fanbase of the "Assassin's Creed" series with "Assassin's Creed Shadows."
- Maybe, the employment policy at Ubisoft, including the community policy, could address the weaknesses in their formula by focusing on creating a more focused and less sprawling narrative in their games, as demonstrated by the more compact nature of "Assassin's Creed Shadows."
- Traditionally, the "Assassin's Creed" series has centered on stealth and unnoticed assassinations, but the traditions are being reinvented in "Assassin's Creed Shadows" with a dual character system that embodies both stealth and open-world RPG elements, creating a dynamic gameplay experience.
