In the world of gaming, the term “Year of Dreams” often gets tossed around. With that in mind, I believe 2025 is shaping up to be a serious contender for the best year ever. Just take a look at some of the potential Game of the Year contenders: Ghost of Yōtei, Fable, Elden Ring: Nightreign, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Grand Theft Auto 6, to name a few. However, for me, one game stands out above the rest: Assassin’s Creed Shadows. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this game since before it was even announced. Originally slated for a 2024 release, Ubisoft decided to give it more time for polish, and I can’t wait to see the results.
Why Other Games Aren’t Top of My List?
So, why is Assassin’s Creed Shadows my most anticipated game of 2025? To explain, I need to address why other upcoming games don’t excite me as much. It’s actually pretty simple: too much is either unknown or overly predictable.
Take Rockstar’s GTA 6, for example. Many people tout it as their most anticipated game, and it even won an award for that at The Game Awards recently. While GTA 6 is highly anticipated for me as well, we’ve seen very little of it so far. We already have a clear idea of what a GTA game entails. How different will GTA 6 really be from its predecessors? The GTA series perfected its formula early on and hasn’t needed much change. Familiarity is comforting, but it’s hard to get truly excited about something that hasn’t evolved significantly—especially when we haven’t seen any gameplay yet.
While I am excited for GTA 6, I’ve been dreaming of an Assassin’s Creed set in Feudal Japan for years—long before Grand Theft Auto V was even released. Since the early days of the franchise, many fans, including myself, have wanted the series to explore Japan, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally delivering on that dream.
Assassin’s Creed More Interesting?
The Assassin’s Creed series has evolved tremendously over the last 17 years. What began as a smaller-scale action-adventure series has grown into a franchise known for its sprawling, seamless open-world RPGs. While the core experience remains consistent, the details evolve with every installment. The franchise’s ability to reinvent itself in small and significant ways keeps it fresh.
From ship combat in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag to the Mercenary System in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and the co-op missions in Assassin’s Creed Unity, each game introduces something new. This continuous innovation is why I’m so excited for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Ubisoft has 17 years of experience to draw from, and everything we’ve seen so far suggests that the team at Ubisoft Quebec is leveraging that experience to its fullest.
What Makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows Exciting?
Now, what exactly makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows so exciting to me? Let me break it down with a list.
The Creed Is Finally Feudal Japan
Ever since the release of Assassin’s Creed II in 2009, I, like many fans, have yearned for an Assassin’s Creed game set in Feudal Japan. The premise always seemed like a perfect match for the franchise’s themes of stealth, intrigue, and historical drama. Thankfully, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally making that dream a reality.
Set during the late Sengoku period—a time marked by civil wars and social unrest—it’s exciting to see how this era will mesh with the series’ core gameplay and storytelling. From what I’ve seen so far, this could be one of the most interesting and immersive settings in the history of the franchise.
Two Protagonists Means Double The Fun
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature two playable protagonists for the first time since Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, also developed by Ubisoft Quebec. Players will step into the roles of Naoe, a shinobi from the Iga Province, and Yasuke, a real historical figure believed to have served as a samurai under Oda Nobunaga between 1581 and 1582.
Little is known about Yasuke’s life after this period, which makes me eager to see how Assassin’s Creed Shadows blends historical accuracy with creative fiction. The franchise has always excelled at incorporating historical figures into its stories, but none have ever been playable before. I can’t wait to see how Yasuke’s story unfolds.
Combat and Stealth Getting Big Changes
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces significant changes to both combat and stealth. While the core mechanics, such as abilities and light and heavy attacks, remain intact, the game appears to elevate these systems to a new level. Naoe and Yasuke each have unique abilities that set them apart.
In combat, Yasuke can block and parry attacks, while Naoe is limited to deflecting them. In stealth, Naoe has access to Eagle Vision and the Observe mechanic, which allows her to mark enemies through walls. Yasuke, on the other hand, can only observe enemies and lacks Eagle Vision. Double assassinations also make a return—Naoe can use her Tanto and Hidden Blade to eliminate two foes simultaneously, a feat Yasuke cannot perform without a Hidden Blade.
These differences between the characters add depth to the gameplay, and I’m curious to see just how far these distinctions will go. To dive deeper into the combat mechanics of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you can check out my detailed article here.
More Dynamic Than Ever
Adding to the overall experience, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to be more dynamic than any previous game in the series. The developers have introduced a new dynamic weather and seasons system, which can significantly impact gameplay. For instance, tackling a mission in summer versus winter could lead to entirely different scenarios.
In winter, creeping around on rooftops might cause snow or ice to fall, potentially alerting guards—a problem that doesn’t exist in summer. However, summer could bring its own challenges, such as more guards patrolling outside. These dynamic environmental changes, combined with the two distinct playstyles of the protagonists and the game’s non-linear approach, could create a uniquely tailored experience for every player.
This dynamic nature is one of the reasons I’m so excited about Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Possibly An Even Smarter AI?
One thing we know about Assassin’s Creed Shadows is that enemy AI will be more reactive and smarter than ever before. For example, samurai will quickly escape a smoke bomb to avoid being stunned. In stealth, if enemies are alerted, they will cut through bushes to search for you, destroying your hiding spots in the process. Even after the alert subsides, enemies will remain cautious, continuing to search for you if you re-enter stealth. Reaching different points in a castle or base will reset this state.
AI behavior has long been a weak point in the Assassin’s Creed series, but Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems determined to make significant improvements. While it’s difficult to judge how successful these changes will be without hands-on experience, the emphasis on AI improvements is a promising sign.
Exciting Times Ahead
So, there you have it: the five main reasons why Assassin’s Creed Shadows is my most anticipated game of 2025. I can’t wait to see if Ubisoft Quebec can deliver the Assassin’s Creed game set in Feudal Japan that we’ve all been waiting for.
Thankfully, the wait won’t be much longer. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC (including Day One on Steam) on February 14th, 2025.
