You might already have heard of “kintsugi,” a captivating Japanese art form that roughly translates to “golden repair.” It’s more than just an art style; it’s a philosophy. When pottery or ceramics break, they are repaired using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. This technique highlights the piece’s cracks and scars, celebrating its unique journey and history, rather than hiding the damage.
This concept resonates deeply with Ubisoft’s latest release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as it approaches its iconic franchise akin to a master kintsugi artist. The typical flaws—the cluttered interfaces, icon-heavy map screens, glitchy parkour, and awkward combat—are all in plain sight. Yet, instead of glazing over them, Ubisoft seems to embrace these imperfections. It’s as if they’re saying, “Yes, these are the imperfections, but look at the beauty we’ve built around them.” Every slightly tedious “follow this character” mission is juxtaposed with breathtaking scenes that rival the series’ best moments. It’s a balance of flaws and flourishes, where every crack is lined with gold.
One standout of the newer Assassin’s Creed era, beginning with Origins, is its engaging objective systems. Ever packed with shadowy groups to infiltrate and dismantle, the game’s feudal Japan setting significantly expands on this. You’re presented with vast interwoven layers of conspiracies to untangle, making each encounter different from the last and giving a rewarding context to your journey through the sprawling open world.
The whole experience feels like a generous buffet of objectives. Beyond the primary storyline—an epic quest for vengeance spanning the assassination of 13 figures—there’s a smorgasbord of side quests thrown your way. And though it might sound repetitive, the varied tactics required to deal with each adversary keep things fresh and lively. Choosing how to approach each mission—whether by skirmish, sneaking about, or strategic elimination—adds depth beyond the basic “track and kill” formula of past games.
Character variety plays a huge role here. You can switch between Naoe, the agile and stealthy protagonist, and Yasuke, the robust warrior, depending on your play style preference. Combat remains largely familiar since Origins, adequate but not revolutionary. But it’s not just about the combat; it’s about how you engage with the game. One moment you might be sneaking with precision as Naoe, and the next, you’re a force of nature with Yasuke, a testament to the game’s dynamic pacing.
And while the AI occasionally stumbles or in-game physics can go awry, these are minor when measured against the thrill of executing a perfect takedown or landing the killing blow with meticulous timing. The mixture of serious combat encounters and humorous victories—like hats flying off enemies when their armor is breached—creates a unique experience rich in both drama and levity.
As for the narrative, playing in Immersive Mode adds an extra layer of authenticity, immersing you in the story even if the English voiceovers leave something to be desired. The visual execution is extraordinary, with some scenes ranking among the most memorable in Assassin’s Creed history, further enriched by the soundtracks of Japanese psych-rock band TEKE TEKE adding a Tarantino-esque flair.
However, the storyline takes its time to develop, necessitating patience through a dense prologue. Yet once the game opens up, you can seamlessly traverse its expansive world, switching between characters for a fresh perspective, and exploring how they cope with the unfolding chaos.
Even the familiar game mechanics get a fresh spin. The collectible missions, once tedious, have been cleverly reimagined, turning futile feats into intriguing tasks. Meanwhile, a base-building element offers additional perks and motivation for players eager to enhance their hideout, though it’s non-essential if you’d prefer to bypass it.
The game encourages moments of Zen amid the chaos. To enhance the RPG-lite elements, you engage with various serene tasks, like praying at temples or practicing martial arts. While these may seem monotonous, they’re intentionally designed to let you, the player, decide the game’s tempo. After intense battles, there’s something soothing about retreating to nature’s lullaby.
Running on a PS5 Pro, the game’s visuals are a feast for the eyes, with its depiction of Japan through changing seasons a visual narrative in itself. Though the seasons don’t substantially alter gameplay, they do add aesthetic diversity, offering breathtaking scenes to marvel at.
Reflecting ‘kintsugi’s’ embrace of imperfection and ‘wabi-sabi’s’ appreciation for transience, Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t shy away from its inherent flaws. It might not fix every outdated mechanic, but it accepts them, elevating them to new heights.
Despite its issues, Assassin’s Creed Shadows captivates with a gripping story and an intricate sense of progress. Every action bears meaning, drawing players to endlessly explore its vast map. It’s one of the most substantial installments yet, both in scale and cohesive execution, and for every frustrating quirk, there’s a captivating gem waiting to be uncovered.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is ready to enchant players on Xbox Series, PS5, and PC on March 20, 2025, following a minor delay earlier this year.
