Assassin's Creed Shadows Wiki is a complete guide to all Weapons, Armor, Skills, Abilities, Stealth, Combat, Exploration, Quest Walkthroughs, Historical Facts, Secrets, and more for Assassin's Creed Shadows!
Locations ♦ Hideout ♦ Kakurega ♦ Organizations ♦ Targets ♦ Allies ♦ Enemies ♦ Bosses ♦ Quests ♦ Sumi-E Paintings ♦ Lore ♦ Projects & Anomalies ♦ Interactive Map ♦ Vendors
Assassin's Creed Shadows Guide: Everything About AC Shadows
Shadows Conceal, But History Remembers...
The Assassin's Creed Shadows Wiki Guide gathers everything you need to know about the latest entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise developed by Ubisoft. Explore the vast open world of Feudal Japan, master the way of the shinobi and the samurai, and uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows. Find all the essential details on Stealth Mechanics, Combat, Parkour, Weapons, Armor, Abilities, and a full Walkthrough covering every mission, side quest, and historical event.
About Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is an immersive open-world action RPG set in the turbulent era of Feudal Japan. Step into the intertwined stories of Naoe, a skilled shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a formidable samurai warrior, as they navigate a world of shifting alliances, deadly intrigue, and historic conflict.
Experience the rich landscapes of Japan, from bustling cities and serene temples to misty bamboo forests and war-torn battlegrounds. Engage in fluid parkour, master stealth assassinations, or wield the katana in visceral combat as you carve your own legend in this historically inspired adventure.
- Dual Protagonists, Dual Paths: Step into the shoes of Naoe, a deadly shinobi who thrives in the shadows, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai who faces his enemies head-on. Each offers unique abilities, weapons, and playstyles.
- A Dynamic Open World: Explore a beautifully crafted Feudal Japan, teeming with life, secrets, and hidden dangers. From vibrant castles and bustling villages to treacherous forests, every location is alive with opportunity and peril.
- Fluid Stealth & Tactical Combat: Utilize advanced stealth mechanics, blending into shadows, scaling rooftops, and using distractions to evade or eliminate enemies. Alternatively, embrace Yasuke’s strength, engaging in intense samurai duels with precise strikes and parries.
- Parkour Like Never Before: Traverse the world with enhanced mobility, scaling pagodas, crossing rooftops, and navigating through diverse environments with newfound agility.
- Forge Your Legacy: Build a hidden network of allies, influence factions, and shape Japan’s future through your actions and choices. The world reacts dynamically to your decisions, making each playthrough unique.
When is the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Assassin's Creed Shadows was launched on March 20, 2025. After two delays from its original November 15, 2024, release target and a subsequent February 14, 2025, date.
What Platforms will Assassin's Creed Shadows be on?
Assassin's Creed Shadows is available for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Game Features
Shadows & Steel
Play as Naoe, a deadly shinobi who moves unseen, striking from the shadows with precision and cunning, or as Yasuke, a powerful samurai who charges headfirst into battle with unmatched strength and discipline. Each character offers distinct combat styles, abilities, and missions, allowing for a diverse and dynamic gameplay experience. Whether you prefer stealthy assassinations or brutal samurai duels, Assassin’s Creed Shadows adapts to your chosen path.
Living, Breathing Japan
Feudal Japan comes to life with stunning attention to detail, featuring bustling castle towns, serene temples, remote villages, and treacherous wilderness. NPCs follow daily routines, markets thrive with traders, and the land is shaped by the changing seasons and dynamic weather, which impact exploration, combat, and stealth tactics. Experience authentic Japanese architecture, historical figures, and cultural traditions as you navigate a land caught in political turmoil and conflict.
Weapon Variety & Customization
Equip an arsenal of authentic Japanese weapons, including the katana, naginata, yumi bow, tanto, and kunai, each offering unique playstyles. Weapons and armor can be upgraded, with modifications affecting weight, durability, and special effects. Yasuke’s heavy samurai armor grants protection at the cost of speed, while Naoe’s lightweight shinobi garb maximizes agility and stealth.
Strategic Base Building
Construct and manage your own hidden base, upgrading it with training grounds, blacksmiths, and intelligence networks to refine your skills, forge better weapons, and plan your next move. Your base evolves with your journey, becoming a true headquarters for your growing resistance.
Assassin's Creed Shadows |
|
 |
|
| Developer | Ubisoft |
| Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure RPG |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X |
| Mode | Single-Player |
| Engine | Anvil Engine |
Assassin's Creed Shadows System Requirements
Recommended Requirements
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 11600k/AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600x
- RAM: 16 GB RAM
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
- Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce RTX™ 3060Ti 8GB/AMD Radeon™ RX 6700 XT 12GB/Intel® Arc™ B580 12GB (REBAR ON)
- Storage: 110 GB available space
Minimum Requirements
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 8700k/AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600
- RAM: 16 GB RAM
- OS: Windows 10/11
- Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce GTX™ 1070 8GB/AMD Radeon™ RX 5700 8GB/Intel® Arc™ A580 8GB (REBAR ON)
- Storage: 110 GB available space
Assassin's Creed Shadows Wiki - Everything We Know So Far
Assassin's Creed Shadows Road Map
Ubisoft has taken a different approach to post-launch content for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, opting to release only one confirmed expansion, Claws of Awaji, instead of the traditional Season Pass model seen in previous entries. This expansion will continue Naoe and Yasuke’s journey beyond the main story, offering new locations, challenges, and narrative developments.
While Ubisoft has left the door open for potential additional DLCs, they have stated that future content will be guided by player feedback. Additionally, New Game Plus will not be available at launch but could be introduced in a later update depending on demand. At present, no long-term roadmap has been revealed, leaving the possibility open for further expansions if the game proves to be a success.
Pre-order Assassin’s Creed Shadows and receive the Claws of Awaji Expansion at no additional cost. This exclusive offer is available in limited quantities at participating retailers. In addition, pre-orders grant access to the "Thrown to the Dogs" bonus quest upon launch. This DLC is available on the following platforms:
- Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation®5
- PC
- macOS® with Apple Silicon
NEW FEATURES
- New Region – The Island of Awaji: Explore a distinctive landscape characterized by hidden pathways, ancient ruins, and perilous ambushes.
- New Weapon – The Bō: Master the art of the Bō, a traditional weapon that expands Naoe’s combat repertoire with unique moves and abilities.
- Enhanced Skills and Gear: Unlock new skills, upgrade existing abilities, and equip exclusive gear tailored for the challenges of Awaji.
- Expanded Gameplay: Over 10 hours of fresh content that includes additional quests, challenges, and narrative-driven missions.
- Additional Bonus Content: Pre-orders include access to the "Thrown to the Dogs" bonus quest, offering an early taste of the expansion’s depth.
What's Different About Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces several gameplay innovations that set it apart from previous entries in the series. Stealth mechanics have been completely overhauled, introducing real-time shadow concealment, where players can hide in darkness and even destroy light sources to manipulate their surroundings. Servants, a new type of NPC, add layers of unpredictability, as they cannot fight but can alert guards to your presence. Parkour has been expanded, with Naoe’s grappling hook allowing new traversal opportunities, reminiscent of classic AC gameplay but with physics-based movement.
The combat system has also seen major refinements. Yasuke, as a samurai, can engage in brutal duels, utilizing weapon stances, parries, and powerful finishers. Meanwhile, Naoe excels in speed-based engagements, using evasive maneuvers, poison, and fast takedowns. Unlike previous games that featured aerial scouting via birds, Shadows removes this mechanic in favor of a more immersive “Observe” mode, requiring players to gather intel manually. Additionally, player progression is now tied to Mastery trees, allowing each character to refine weapons and archetype skills.
The game world also reacts dynamically to player actions. NPCs follow daily routines, while weather and seasons affect everything from enemy patrols to accessible routes. Unlike Valhalla and Odyssey, Shadows features fewer UI markers, encouraging exploration and discovery through a more natural approach.
The Story
Assassin’s Creed Shadows unfolds in the late 16th century, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, a time of political turmoil and military conflict in Japan. The game follows two protagonists with vastly different backgrounds and motivations. Naoe, a shinobi trained in stealth and assassination, is drawn into a larger conspiracy after her clan faces destruction. Yasuke, a real historical figure and samurai in the service of Oda Nobunaga, finds himself navigating the complex political landscape of a nation on the brink of unification. Their fates intertwine as they are pulled into a clash between the Assassins and the Templars, whose hidden war has shaped history for centuries. Through assassinations, alliances, and power struggles, players will uncover long-buried secrets and influence the future of Japan.
The Setting
Feudal Japan has long been one of the most requested settings in the Assassin’s Creed series, and Shadows finally delivers on that anticipation. The game is set in 1579, at the height of Japan’s warring states period, when Oda Nobunaga was on the path to unifying the country. Players will traverse diverse landscapes, from bustling castle towns and coastal ports to snow-covered mountain shrines and war-ravaged countryside. Unlike previous entries, the world in Shadowsevolves with dynamic seasons that impact stealth, movement, and enemy behavior. Snowfall can expose footprints, storms can muffle movement, and summer vegetation offers new hiding spots. Historical accuracy has been a major focus, with major castles and provinces recreated at a near 1:1 scale to immerse players in the late Sengoku era’s cultural and political tensions.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Additional Information
How Long to Beat the Game
The main story completion time for Assassin's Creed Shadows spans 30-40 hours, offering a focused narrative experience for players who prioritize the core campaign. For completionists, the total gameplay hours can reach 80-100 hours, encompassing all side quests, collectibles, and hidden exploration areas. This duration positions Shadows as a substantial open-world RPG, though shorter than Assassin's Creed Valhalla (60-80 hours for the main story), catering to both casual players and dedicated explorers searching for Feudal Japan adventure.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Development Process
Assassin's Creed Shadows was officially announced during the Ubisoft Forward event in September 2022 under its initial working title, Assassin's Creed: Codename Red, alongside its planned successor, Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe. On May 15, 2024, Ubisoft officially unveiled the game's final title, Assassin's Creed Shadows, along with major gameplay details and a confirmed release date. It was also revealed that Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Assassin's Creed Syndicate, had been leading development on the project.
Development on Assassin's Creed Shadows began in 2020, following the launch of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The game is the first in the series designed exclusively for ninth-generation consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, discontinuing support for eighth-generation platforms such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
According to lead producer Karl Onnée, the transition to next-gen hardware was essential to fully realize the game's enhanced engine capabilities, including improved lighting, shadows, and dynamic weather effects. These advancements aim to create a more immersive and visually stunning experience, leveraging the power of modern gaming hardware.
How Big is the Map?
The open-world map size of Assassin's Creed Shadows measures approximately 123.5 square kilometers, slightly above Assassin's Creed Valhalla's 120 square kilometer England map, though Shadows' landmass density is bigger than previous Assassin's Creed titles. Designed to reflect feudal Japan’s landscapes, the map prioritizes density over sprawl, featuring detailed cities like Osaka and Kyoto, as well as mountains and rural regions.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Sales Figures
Assassin's Creed Shadows attracted over a million players on its first day, as confirmed by Ubisoft, and the player base doubled to 2 million by the second day of Shadows' release. On Steam, the game debuted with a peak concurrent player count of 41,412, which climbed to 64,825 over its first weekend, making Shadows the biggest Steam release in the franchise's history. Although Ubisoft has not yet released their official copy sales, experts believe that these numbers will bring positive results for Ubisoft's decaying stock price.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Editions and Pricing
Standard Edition
The Standard Edition for Assassin's Creed Shadows is available to pre-order (both for physical and digital versions) and will have the following items:
$ 69.99
- Base Game
- Pre-order Bonus: Claws of Awaji Expansion (releasing later in 2025)
- Pre-order Bonus Quest: Thrown to the Dogs
Digital Deluxe Edition
The Digital Deluxe Edition for Assassin's Creed Shadows provides additional bonuses besides the Standard Edition's content and will give the players the following items:
$ 89.99
- Sekiryu Dual Pack
- Sekiryu Gear Set for both Naoe and Yasuke
- Eye of the Dragon Katana
- Claw of the Dragon Long Katana
- Sekiryu Beast Mount
- Dragon Tooth Trinket
- Hideout Pack
- Sekiryu Wagasa
- Sekiryu Tapestry
- Sekiryu Mask
- Sekiryu Mizubachi
- 5 Mastery Points
Collector's Edition
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Collector’s Edition delivers the ultimate game experience. It includes everything from the Digital Deluxe Edition plus the physical collector's items:
$ 199.99
- Dual Character Statue: A 40cm diorama depicting Naoe and Yasuke in a dynamic battle stance. Crafted with intricate hand-painted details and high-quality finishes, this statue captures the essence of both a samurai and a shinobi.
- Unique Steelbook® Case: Exclusive packaging that sets this edition apart.
- Collector’s Art Book: A 76-page volume featuring concept art, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive illustrations.
- Life-Sized Naoe’s Katana Tsuba: A meticulously crafted replica of Naoe’s katana guard.
- World Map & Creed Wall Scroll: Premium wall art that celebrates the lore and history of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
- Sumi-e Lithographs: Two traditional Japanese ink wash prints that add an artistic touch to any collection.
Controversies Surrounding Assassin's Creed Shadows
Yasuke's Inclusion
Following the premiere trailer’s release on May 15, 2024, Ubisoft faced criticism for selecting Yasuke, an African man known to have lived in 16th-century Japan during the Sengoku era, as one of the game’s protagonists. Detractors argued that portraying Yasuke as a samurai was historical revisionism, while others defended his status, citing historical accounts supporting his role. Additionally, some critics pointed out that Ubisoft had yet to feature a male East Asian protagonist in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
The backlash led to harassment and threats directed at the development team. Ubisoft, however, stood by its decision, with game director Charles Benoit explaining that Yasuke’s outsider perspective provided a unique lens through which players could explore Japan.
Release Delays and Scheduling Backlash
Originally slated for a November 15, 2024 release on macOS, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, Assassin's Creed Shadows faced multiple delays. Ubisoft pushed the launch to February 14, 2025, citing the need for additional polishing based on insights from Star Wars Outlaws' development. The delay also led to the cancellation of the game's season pass, with pre-orders adjusted to include the first expansion for free. Additionally, Ubisoft deviated from past practices by ensuring a simultaneous PC release across Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect.
In January 2025, the release was postponed again to March 20, giving developers more time for final refinements and aligning with Ubisoft's ongoing business strategy. However, controversy arose as the new release date coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, a tragic terrorist incident in Japan.
Cultural Insensitivity Allegations
A promotional collectible figure for Assassin's Creed Shadows sparked controversy due to its resemblance to the damaged one-legged Torii gate of Sannō Shrine in Nagasaki, a site located near the epicenter of the nuclear bombing. Following public backlash over perceived cultural insensitivity, Ubisoft pulled the figure from sale.
Further controversy emerged in February 2025 when leaked gameplay footage showed protagonist Yasuke entering Itatehyōzu Shrine and destroying an altar. Shrine officials stated they had not been consulted about its inclusion in the game and announced plans to take "appropriate action" against Ubisoft.
In January 2025, Assassin's Creed Shadows received a "CERO Z" rating from Japan's Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), restricting sales to adults due to the game's depiction of gore and body dismemberment. While the international release included an option to toggle gore effects on or off, Ubisoft announced plans to create a Japan-specific version that would remove the gore entirely to secure a more lenient rating.
Political and Religious Backlash
After concerns raised by Japanese politicians, including House of Councillors member Hiroyuki Kada and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Ubisoft made adjustments to reduce the destruction of objects within temples. Additionally, the company modified the game's mechanics to limit the amount of bloodshed occurring in sacred locations such as shrines and temples.
Pre-Release Leaks and Ubisoft's Response
Ahead of launch, Ubisoft reported that pre-orders for Assassin's Creed Shadows were comparable to Assassin's Creed Odyssey, the second best-selling game in the series. However, in February 2025, physical copies for PlayStation 5 leaked ahead of schedule, leading to unauthorized early access to the game.
In response to mounting backlash and concerns over potential online harassment, Ubisoft provided internal guidance and support for developers on managing social media interactions and public scrutiny in the lead-up to release.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Gallery
First UwU
0
+12
-1