New Assassin’s Creed Shadows Gameplay Revealed Before Launch

KYOTO, Japan — Ubisoft has unveiled 20 minutes of gameplay for its upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Shadows, showcasing characters Naoe and Yasuke as they stealthily infiltrate Nijo Palace, a historic castle complex in Kyoto. Set to launch on March 20, the game hopes to immerse players in feudal Japan, employing diverse gameplay mechanics that emphasize both stealth and combat.

In the gameplay footage, viewers witness Naoe employing stealth tactics under the cover of night. After neutralizing a perimeter guard with a Hidden Blade, she uses a grappling hook to navigate the rooftops and scout patrols below. Unlike previous installments, players will rely on the new Observe mechanic instead of an avian ally for reconnaissance.

“Castles in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are strongholds filled with hostile guards, valuable resources, and a loot chest,” said Youssef Garcia-Maguid, Ubisoft’s editorial communications manager. “To conquer a tenshu, players must eliminate any Samurai Daisho in the area, which unlocks the loot chest containing powerful gear.”

Completion of castle missions contributes to the player’s Knowledge Rank, allowing access to higher-level abilities and upgrades. Players can also collect resources from these locations to improve their hideout.

During her mission, Naoe encounters elite guards called Samurai Daisho. Equipped with enhanced gear providing bonus damage on air assassinations, Naoe swiftly takes down her target. To assist her, she utilizes her ally Gennojo, who stuns two enemies, allowing for a straightforward elimination.

The gameplay transitions to Yasuke, who offers a more brute force approach. Without a grappling hook, Yasuke climbs to the rooftops using a tree and employs a bow to eliminate enemies from a distance. Though he lacks Naoe’s stealth advantages, his combat prowess enables effective engagement with multiple foes.

“Yasuke embodies the capability of taking on larger groups directly, providing a counterbalance to Naoe’s stealth,” said Garcia-Maguid. He demonstrated this by engaging in a daytime assault, using a gunpowder barrel to eliminate nearby threats before confronting the final Samurai Daisho head-on with an impressive kanabo club.

Players can expect to wield two distinct heroes whose skills allow for versatile playstyles. Naoe specializes in stealth-oriented gameplay, using gear tailored for evasion and silent kills, while Yasuke favors direct confrontation. “Both characters allow for adaptive play,” Garcia-Maguid explained. “Players can decide whether to approach a mission through stealth or bold combat.”

With the experience of climbing Nijo Palace and accumulating mastery points by defeating enemies, players can interchange characters and gameplay styles throughout their journey. The walkthrough concluded with Yasuke charging through enemies, showcasing his dominance in combat.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a significant step in the series, crafted exclusively for next-gen consoles, promising support for up to 2160p resolution and 60 FPS. The game is set to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, marking a new chapter in the franchise’s evolution.