Ubisoft's upcoming remake of the beloved 2013 action game Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag has been the publisher's worst-kept secret for a while now, with the title's existence leaking multiple times throughout the last several months. Eventually, though, Ubisoft announced it officially — and thanks to a new showcase of the project, we finally have a release date for it.

It's been confirmed that the remake, officially titled Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, is scheduled to release on July 9, 2026. That's roughly two and a half months away at the time of writing; the game will arrive on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5 when it comes out this summer.

Black Flag Resynced is the first Assassin's Creed project to come out since last year's Assassin's Creed Shadows, and one that's been highly desired and excitedly anticipated by fans of Ubisoft's stealth action franchise for a long time. After all, the original Black Flag is one of the most popular games in the series.

To this day, many argue Black Flag has the best "pirate simulator" mechanics of any game out there, complete with explosive naval combat, tense ship boarding sequences that leverage Assassin's Creed's famous parkour systems, and energetic sea shanty performances from your crew to enjoy while you're swashbuckling your way across the open sea.

Set in the Caribbean in the early 18th Century during the Golden Age of Piracy, the game also tells a solid story about the rise and fall of that era, and one that ties into the narratives of Assassin's Creed 3 and Rogue. It's not the best writing we've seen from the series by any stretch of the imagination, but it's serviceable enough.

Black Flag Resynced aims to build upon everything that made the original game great, with its elevated visual fidelity representing the largest improvements. Players can look forward to raytraced lighting and reflections, "optimized performance with 60 FPS options on consoles," rebuilt assets, and modernized water simulation — all of it tailored for the latest version of the proprietary Anvil engine.

Beyond that, there are new missions with new story content, complete with dialogue voiced by protagonist Edward Kenway's original voice actor Matt Ryan, along with features like Officers for the Jackdaw (your ship) that give it specific combat enhancements, new ship customization options, and 10 new sea shanties for your crew to sing.

Other enhancements include new parrying mechanics while in melee combat, a new enemy type called the Demolitionist, improvements to stealth gameplay that allow Edward to crouch low anywhere and stay hidden easier in dark areas, additional secondary weapon options for ships, smoother parkour, and dynamic weather systems. Ubisoft has an exhaustive list of everything new in the remake here.

All in all, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced looks to be quite an extensive remake that preserves what made the original game such a hit while improving its weaker elements and elevating its strengths simultaneously — something I wish had been done with the disappointing Ezio Collection remasters of the Italy-centric games. Wait, what? Those came out 10 years ago? Makes me feel old...

Anyway, Black Flag Resynced preorders are now live, with the standard version of it costing $59.99 and the Deluxe Edition that includes extra cosmetic goodies and gameplay perks going for $69.99. There's also a luxurious $199.99 Collector's Edition with several unique and special collector's items; check the blocks below for links to where you can buy it before it's gone.

Are you looking forward to getting and playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, or are you not interested? Let me know in the comments, and vote in our poll.

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Since the recent layoffs and closure at Ubisoft, many of the studio's beloved franchises have been facing questions regarding their direction. Last week, another round of layoffs occurred at the Toronto office, the studio responsible for the next Splinter Cell game.

Needless to say, good news at Ubisoft has been hard to come by. At least, that was until today, when it was announced that a new leadership team would be taking on the Assassin's Creed franchise.

So, who are these people? That's the best part. Everyone listed next is are veterans of the franchise. People who know what’s worked and what hasn’t. People who are passionate about their craft and the stories they create.

The new leads are:

• Martin Schelling - Head of AC Brand
• Jean Guesdon - Head of Content
• François De Billy - Head of Production Excellence.

In a Reddit post, of all places, the Assassin’s Creed team announced the changes in detail coming to the top:

“We want to take a moment to share some important updates about the future of Assassin’s Creed. We know that what comes next has been a big topic within the community lately, and today, we can finally share some updates, starting with the introduction of newcomers to the leadership team that will shape the future of the franchise."

Martin Schelling, who has been appointed as Head of Brand, will be the leader of the franchise team, "as well as the overall strategy, long‑term vision, and development of Assassin's Creed. Martin previously worked as a Producer and Senior Producer on many defining titles in the series, including Revelations, Black Flag, Origins, and Valhalla."

I'm sorry, did they just say Black Flag? Sign him up twice! Next is Jean Guesdon, who has become Head of Content. He was also Creative Director for Black Flag and Origins, two of my favorite entries in the series! He'll be leading the creative direction of Assassin's Creed and shaping the future of the franchise.

Last, but not least, is François De Billy, the new Head of Production Excellence. This is where the real work gets made, as he'll be in charge of what many consider to have been issues within Ubisoft, production practices.

For years, it's been clear that there have been some ongoing issues with development at Ubisoft. With the years it took to release their AAAA Skull and Bones, and the cancellation of multiple projects like Heartland, something clearly needs to be tweaked.

An Update on the Future of Assassin’s Creed: Meet the New Leadership Team from r/assassinscreed

I know, I know, these studios are all separate, but I can almost guarantee developmental practices are similarly shared across the company. So anything done at one studio will most assuredly be translated in some capacity elsewhere.

What all of this means for Assassin’s Creed going forward is hopefully nothing but great, as the franchise has needed some new blood injected for quite a while. Anything like this being done at Ubisoft shows some resilience against their current situation and a confidence in their product as they double down on what originally made the publisher who they are today.

How do you feel about these leadership changes?

Do you think this will be enough to make the future of the franchise promising?

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

French video game publisher Ubisoft announced that it's undergoing a "major organizational, operational, and portfolio reset" in a press release on Wednesday morning, with the firm aiming to "reclaim its creative leadership, regain agility, and drive a sharp rebound."

As part of the restructuring, the company has canceled a whopping six games, including the highly anticipated remake of 2003's beloved action-adventure title Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, four unannounced projects, and a mobile title.

It's also delayed seven games "in order to ensure enhanced quality benchmarks are fully met and maximize long-term value creation," including a game that was originally planned for 2026 but has now been pushed to next year. It's speculated that the game in question is an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake that's been rumored and leaked on several occasions.

Notably, Ubisoft has also closed its Halifax and Stockholm studios as part of the initiative, with CFO Frederick Duguet telling GamesIndustry.biz "a series of layoffs" has resulted in cuts at The Division-maker Massive Entertainment (currently working on The Division 3; it just lost its executive producer), Ubisoft Abu Dubai, and RedLynx, in addition to the aforementioned shuttered teams.

"There are some people who will be refocused on other big projects, and some may leave the company," he explained to VGC.

Another major component of this "reset" is reorganizing Ubisoft's development teams into five distinct and decentralized "Creative Houses," with each one overseeing a chunk of the publisher's portfolio, and all of them getting support from Ubisoft HQ, a network of support studios, and "shared, standardized, and scalable services" that provide valuable resources. Here's what each Creative House is responsible for:

• CH1: Largely comprised of Vantage Studios in charge of developing Ubisoft's biggest properties, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, to "turn them into annual billionaire brands."
• CH2: Focused on "competitive and cooperative shooter experiences" like The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell.
• CH3: Maintaining "select, sharp Live experiences" including For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, and Skull & Bones.
• CH4: Working on "immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes" such as Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, and Beyond Good & Evil.
• CH5: This last team is working on "reclaiming position in casual and family-friendly games," and is in charge of brands like Just Dance, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, Invincible: Guarding the Globe, Uno, and Hasbro.

This restructuring is ultimately designed to streamline and bolster the efficiency of development. "Acceleration of cost reduction initiatives" has also been underway — the aforementioned cuts are part of these — with Ubisoft expecting to achieve its goal of €100 million saved compared to 2024-2025 by March, one year ahead of its original target.

"While these decisions are difficult, they are necessary for us to build a more focused, efficient and sustainable organization over the long term," wrote CEO Yves Guillemot in a statement. "Taken together, these measures mark a decisive turning point for Ubisoft ... Ubisoft is entering a new phase — one designed to reclaim creative leadership and build value for players and stakeholders over the long term."

The massive overhaul to Ubisoft's structure and processes comes after many of the studio's games, such as Star Wars Outlaws, have underperformed significantly in recent years. That underwhelming performance drove the publisher to sell 25% stake of the company to Tencent, and give it a license for Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.

How do you feel about Ubisoft's "major reset," and the way that it's completely restructured the company? Do you think it's going to help the publisher turn things around? Hit me with your thoughts in the comments.

Layoffs and developer shutdowns have been a sobering constant in the gaming industry's last several years, and now, the first major closure in 2026 has come with the shuttering of publisher Ubisoft's Halifax studio.

The news that the Canadian wing of the French firm — known for the mobile games Assassin's Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile — is being axed came on Wednesday morning when VGC obtained an email sent to staff. In said notice, it was explained that Ubisoft made the choice to close Ubisoft Halifax as a part of changes intended to restructure the company and cut costs.

“Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs,” a Ubisoft representative told VGC. “As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio."

"71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance," added the spokesperson.

Several developers from the studio took to LinkedIn to confirm the news themselves shortly afterwards. "Here we are. It's been 8 years for me at Ubisoft Halifax as of tomorrow. It's been quite the journey," wrote one. "Shocked to learn about the closure and the huge impact this will have on us all at Ubisoft Halifax," said another.

Notably, Ubisoft Halifax's shuttering comes just a few weeks after the developer formed a union after revealing its intent to in June, with 61 of its employees joining the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Local 30111, in December. When certification for the union came on December 18, it became Ubisoft's first North American union.

"Even though it’s taken this long to certify, we’re still dedicated to doing this with Ubisoft,” lead programmer Jon Huffman told CTV News. “We love where we work, we love who we work with. We’re in this for the long haul.”

This makes the closure of Ubisoft Halifax all the more tragic, and also has many believing that the shutdown was related — at least partially — to the union's creation. Ubisoft, however, says that the decision to cut the studio was made "well before" its unionization and asserts it "fully respects” the right of its workers to organize a union.

Beyond working on Assassin's Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile, Ubisoft Halifax was reportedly working on "some exciting unannounced projects of our own" according to its website. It's unclear if those projects have been canceled, or if they're being worked on by other Ubisoft teams.

Ubisoft as a whole has struggled in recent years, with several of the publisher's games like Star Wars Outlaws proving to be less successful than what was originally hoped for. Those struggles are thought to be what led to Ubisoft striking a deal with Tencent last year, in which the multinational Chinese firm invested €1.16b (roughly $1.2b) in Ubisoft in exchange for 25% stake in the company, and licensing for Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.

Do you think we'll begin to see Ubisoft recover in the coming months and years, or do you believe further hard times are on the way for the publisher? Let me know down below.

The latest action-adventure title in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise from Ubisoft has reached a new major player milestone.

That news comes by way of the official Assassin's Creed Instagram account, which shared on Tuesday that Assassin's Creed Shadows has crossed 5 million players since it launched back on March 20, 2025.

"Thank you for forging legends with us. Naoe & Yasuke’s journey continues—updates coming this week!" the post reads.

Previously, Ubisoft announced that Assassin's Creed Shadows had crossed 3 million players just a week after it launched. This new milestone means an additional 2 million players have jumped in across the months since the game arrived.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is also off to a strong start in sales, and as of May 2025, it's the third best-selling game in the U.S. for the year, only sitting behind Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds and Bethesda Softworks' The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.

A solid start, but what is next for Ubisoft?

Assassin's Creed Shadows seems to have done well so far, and with more downloadable content on the way that'll give more players a reason to return or jump in for the first time, the game seems to be in a great place.

It does make me curious just what is next for Ubisoft, though, as the company's release slate hasn't looked this barren in years, if ever. A new entry in the ever-reliable Anno city-building franchise is coming this November, but other titles seem to be a ways out.

Ubisoft is working on numerous games, including The Division 3, a remake of Splinter Cell, several new Assassin's Creed titles, a reported remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and more.

The next mainline Assassin's Creed game is currently referred to as Codename Hexe, and it has been teased to be quite different from prior games in the series, possibly eschewing the large-scale role-playing format of games like Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla, and Shadows.

There is also an update for Massive Entertainment's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora on the way, with the game getting a third-person mode in December to coincide with the theatrical release of the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash.

In the meantime, if you haven't played it yet, my colleague Zachary Boddy reviewed Assassin's Creed Shadows, writing that it "all comes together to create a game-of-the-year contender for 2025. I can't overstate how impressive it is for any title to retain my attention for more than 60 hours, let alone keep me hooked for well over 100. Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't perfect, but I love it anyway."

Assassin's Creed Shadows is available across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (via Epic Games Store, Ubisoft, and Steam), PlayStation 5, and macOS.

Following French publisher Ubisoft's success with the launch of its new open-world action RPG Assassin's Creed Shadows last week, the firm has officially confirmed a major upcoming structural change for its business operations.

Specifically, Ubisoft announced on Thursday morning that it's creating a new gaming subsidiary that encompasses three of its largest franchises: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. The multinational Chinese company Tencent will invest €1.16b (roughly $1.2b) for 25% stake in the division, giving it an approximate enterprise value of €4b ($4.3b). This number exceeds Ubisoft's own by a large margin.

In exchange for a royalty, Tencent will be granted "a worldwide, exclusive, irrevocable, perpetual license" for Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. The new subsidiary will include all of Ubisoft's development teams currently working on these intellectual properties and both previously released and upcoming games, and "will focus on building game ecosystems designed to become truly evergreen and multi-platform."

Ubisoft's announcement elaborates on this further, explaining that the group will take advantage of the investment to "drive further increases in quality of narrative solo experiences, expand multiplayer offerings with increased frequency of content release, introduce free-to-play touchpoints, and integrate more social features" into these brands. The rest of the publisher, meanwhile, will focus on Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and The Division (among other projects).

"With the creation of a dedicated subsidiary that will spearhead development for three of our largest franchises and the onboarding of Tencent as a minority investor, we are crystalizing the value of our assets, strengthening our balance sheet, and creating the best conditions for these franchises’ long-term growth and success," commented Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot in the company's press release. "With its dedicated and autonomous leadership team, it will focus on transforming these three brands into unique ecosystems."

Tencent president Martin Lau also provided a statement. "We are excited to extend our longstanding partnership with Ubisoft through this investment, which reflects our continued confidence in Ubisoft’s creative vision and exceptional talent to drive sustained success in the industry," he said. "We see the immense potential for these franchises to evolve into long-term evergreen game platforms and create engaging new experiences for gamers."

Notably, Ubisoft was rumored to be seeking a buyout with Tencent in 2024 following recent struggles with the performance of the publisher's games. A report earlier this year also suggested that the two companies were looking to make a deal over some of Ubisoft's assets; this, evidently, is the result of those discussions.

Completion of this transaction is expected to finish before the end of 2025.

The start of a Ubisoft recovery?

As previously mentioned, Ubisoft has gone through significant financial struggles in recent years, with several games like Star Wars Outlaws ultimately failing to live up to the firm's performance expectations. The company's free-to-play shooter XDefiant is also scheduled to shut down this June, with the publisher also closing three studios in the US, Japan, and Australia.

With that context in mind, this deal with Tencent makes lots of sense for both parties; Ubisoft secures some very crucial funding, while Tencent stands to profit from future successes and gains rights to Ubisoft's biggest properties. This partnership — along with new upcoming releases like The Division 3, Beyond Good and Evil 2, the Splinter Cell remake, and others — has the potential to right the ship for the French publisher.

It's worth noting that Ubisoft's 2025 has seemingly started off quite well, with Assassin's Creed Shadows enjoying three million players just a week after its release. That makes it one of the most-played and fastest-selling entries in the series, with it only being surpassed by 2020's Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

Ubisoft's latest big game continues to see success early after launch, with the company sharing on Thursday via Instagram that Assassin's Creed Shadows has passed 3 million players already.

The company also confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows had the second-highest day one revenue in the company's history. This comes just a few days after Ubisoft confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows had passed 2 million players since it launched on March 20, 2025.

This number places Assassin's Creed Shadows as one of the most-played games in the series so far, only behind 2020's Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which remains the best-selling entry in the series and the second most-profitable game ever for Ubisoft. Assassin's Creed Valhalla also achieved 20 million players by Sept. 30, 2022.

In our review-in-progress, writer Zachary Boddy shared that "If you have fond memories of all the hours spent inside the incredible worlds Ubisoft built during its most innovative years, then Assassin's Creed Shadows may offer you that magic once again. This is a really well-made open-world game, period."

Assassin's Creed Shadows is off to a great start

Assassin's Creed Shadows is trucking along well so far, and while time will tell just how far this momentum carries it, the game's early success is likely a huge relief to Ubisoft, which has needed an undisputed win for some time.

The company has reportedly been in talks with investors like Tencent regarding setting up a new controlling company with some of Ubisoft's assets, or even selling off some of Ubisoft's IP.

I'm certainly curious to see what new milestones Assassin's Creed Shadows can reach, and I'm planning on grabbing a copy of the game myself when I get a couple of particular things done for work.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Mac. It's also available through Xbox Cloud Gaming for Xbox players that buy the game and subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Ubisoft's latest historical role-playing game Assassin's Creed Shadows has already reached 2 million players.

Ubisoft confirmed the milestone in a post on Instagram, adding that Assassin's Creed Shadows had "surpassed the launches" of 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins and 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey.

Ubisoft is almost certainly using the phrase players as it's including anyone jumping in through the publisher's Ubisoft+ subscription service, in addition to anyone outright buying the game.

The choice of wording also seems to imply that Assassin's Creed Shadows has not overtaken the launch number for 2020's Assassin's Creed Vahalla, the prior mainline entry in the series.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla had a gargantuan launch and sustained sales, with Ubisoft saying at the time that it was the biggest launch of the entire franchise.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a critical game for Ubisoft

While we don't have exact sales for every single Assassin's Creed game week-by-week, we do have enough prior milestones and PR statements to safely guess that Assassin's Creed Shadows is firmly the second-most successful game in the series so far.

Naturally, that could change in either direction as time goes on and depending on what post-launch support looks like. The game's success is critical for Ubisoft, as the embattled publisher has faced dozens of game cancellations and delays over the last few years.

This is combined with its claim that last year's Star Wars Outlaws underperformed expectations, while it is also winding down free-to-play shooter XDefiant, shuttering multiple development studios in the process.

Reports indicate Ubisoft's founding family is interested in spinning off some assets into a new controlling company with the aid of investors like Tencent, or possibly even selling some IP to other companies, but nothing official has happened just yet.

If you haven't played it yet, I encourage you to check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows review-in-progress, in which my colleague Zachary Boddy writes that "Assassin's Creed Shadows doesn't feel much smaller than its bloated predecessor, but it does feel more refined and focused. This is a visually stunning action-RPG adventure with varied, endlessly fun gameplay backed by serious attention to detail."

One of my early complaints in Assassin's Creed Shadows was the age-old conundrum with gear in RPGs: do I prioritize looking awesome, or do I prioritize the best stats and perks?

I assumed a way to upgrade my best gear would be coming down the line as I progressed through the story, but it seemed at first that there was no way to transmogrify my gear — that is, change the appearance of my weapons and armor.

It turns out the answer to unlocking both upgrades and customization options for your gear comes down to finishing a specific quest... And it's a quest that you can easily miss if you decide to focus on the mainline story rather than side missions.

So, don't throw out that rare katana with a deadly ability or unique armor because it became under-leveled or you picked up something that looks better. You don't have to make the same mistake I did and can prioritize unlocking and building the Forge as soon as possible.

If you'd rather read more about the game itself, you can check out my in-depth review of Assassin's Creed Shadows.

How do I unlock the Forge to customize or upgrade my gear?

In order to upgrade or enhance your gear, customize it, or scrap the old equipment you no longer need, you'll first need to unlock the Forge.

This is one of the buildings for your Hideout, the customizable base that acts as the center of operations for Naoe, Yasuke, and their allies. The Hideout offers a ton of perks and there are endless options for customizing it, but you'll definitely want to prioritize securing the Forge.

To be candid, I unfortunately lack any screenshots or specific details from the actual quest. I was early on in Assassin's Creed Shadows and didn't know at the time what mission I was embarking on.

It's a simple quest, though, so you shouldn't need much to get through it. Just knowing it exists and why it's important is half the battle.

First, you'll need to play all the way through the prologue and continue playing through Act 1 in the Izumi Settsu region until you reach the point in the main story that Tomiko, one of the first allies you meet in Assassin's Creed Shadows, agrees to let Naoe use her home and land as a base for her mission.

This will officially unlock the Hideout, a core part of AC Shadows' gameplay that allows you to design and customize your own center of operations, where different buildings provide different perks and abilities.

Once you have access to the Hideout customization abilities, you'll be able to speak to Tomiko to add a new quest to your objectives.

In search of new allies to aid your cause, Tomiko suggests searching for a blacksmith from her past who may be looking for a new direction in life. You know he's somewhere in the city of Sakai, in the Izumi Settsu region, so head there to begin your search.

You can hold down the left trigger to scan your surroundings as you walk around Sakai. Look for a glowing blue circle to indicate an important quest-related point of interest.

Once you find the blacksmith, you'll find him being exploited by a handful of thugs, seemingly without opposition. Once you dispose of the bandits, you'll be able to speak to the blacksmith.

He's world-weary and distraught after the loss of his parents, but you can talk him into adopting your purpose as his own. He'll agree and head back to the Hideout.

Follow the blacksmith back to the Hideout, and you'll discover that you've unlocked a new building. Open the Hideout customization interface and head to the build menu, where you'll find the Forge listed under "Main Rooms."

You shouldn't need many resources to build the Forge, but you can collect what you need from completing local region missions, ransacking camps and castles, and keeping an eye out for opportunities to smuggle resources.

Once you've constructed the Forge, you'll immediately unlock full equipment customization! You'll have to go to the Hideout and talk to the blacksmith directly in order to upgrade or demolish your gear, though.

What can I do with the Forge in Assassin's Creed Shadows?

One of three features found at the Forge is the Upgrade function, which allows you to level up any of your weapons, armor, or trinkets in exchange for money and resources.

It's straightforward: the weapon gets a general stat boost for each level it gains, and you can upgrade your gear up to whatever level you are. When you first build the Forge, you'll be able to upgrade your gear until you're level 20, after which you'll want to upgrade the Forge.

Weapons, armor, and trinkets each require a different resource in addition to a fee, but you can earn ample amounts of these resources by opening chests you find throughout the world and dismantling any unused gear you don't want anymore.

The second function of the Forge is the ability to Engrave. This means adding new perks to your weapons, armor, and trinkets, providing unique bonuses or advantages in combat.

In order to access engraving, though, you'll need to upgrade the Forge to level 2 (which also allows you to upgrade gear up to level 40).

To engrave your equipment, simply select the perk slot you wish to fill or swap out and choose from the list of engravings you've unlocked. You unlock new engravings by collecting gear (any new engraving a piece of gear has you keep forever) or purchasing new engravings from Gear Vendors scattered throughout the world.

Rare, Epic, and Legendary rarity gear all boast an unused perk slot you can take advantage of, while Uncommon gear has a single engraving (and Common gear has none). Legendary gear boasts exclusive, extremely powerful engravings you won't see or find anywhere else.

There's a fee for engraving equipment that depends on the perk you've chosen, but it's not a steep cost at all. Engravings can dramatically improve your loadout by providing stat boosts, situational advantages, new abilities, and more.

You have to upgrade the Forge to level 3 (which lets you upgrade gear to level 60) to use Legendary engravings, though — until then, these super powerful perks are exclusive to their weapons. Afterward, you can even equip two Legendary engravings on the same gear.

How do I customize all of my gear?

Building the Forge instantly enables full gear customization, and there's no need to speak to the blacksmith at the Hideout to access it. Simply open your inventory, and you'll be able to personalize all of your weapons, armor, and trinkets.

Customization is very straightforward. Every time you collect a new piece of equipment, its unique cosmetic options are permanently added to your inventory (even if you dismantle or sell it later). Yes, that means Legendary gear, including any premium cosmetics you purchase.

To customize your gear, go to the specific equipment in your inventory and hit the "Customize" button (it's "Y" on an Xbox controller). Helmets, armor, and trinkets only provide one option, letting you fully swap out the appearance for an alternative you've unlocked.

Depending on the weapons, though, you'll have separate categories you can individually customize if you'd like to mix and match. The katana, for example, allows you to customize the blade, hilt, guard, and sheath.

Once you've selected your customization options, you're done! There's zero cost involved, and you can access customization at any point.

Any equipment you've altered will be marked with a star so you know its appearance is different from its thumbnail (which doesn't change). You can hold down the "Customize" button inside the customization menu to reset any gear to default.

As a side note, you are also able to customize your horse. Not only are there different mounts you can unlock or purchase throughout Assassin's Creed Shadows, but there are also various saddles you can acquire.

Can I get rid of gear I don't want anymore?

The third and final purpose of the Forge is to clear out the unwanted junk cluttering your inventory. Yes, you can sell any equipment you don't want anymore, but you usually won't get a ton of money for your trouble.

Dismantling gear at the Forge provides you with specific resources for that equipment type, which you can then use to upgrade the gear you actually want to keep.

It's simple to do; just highlight the item you wish to tear down and hold the "Dismantle" button. I wish there was a way to mark multiple items and mass dismantle them, but unfortunately, that isn't possible.

Helpfully, you're not able to dismantle any unique gear; they don't even appear in the dismantle menus at all, so there's zero risk.

"Unique" includes all Legendary gear and any equipment of different rarities that boasts a one-of-a-kind name, usually earned as an award for specific quests or activities. This equipment is best left in your Hideout storage if you don't want to see it in your inventory.

Something I wish I had known from the very beginning

You can access equipment upgrades and customization fairly early on in Assassin's Creed Shadows, but it's all too easy to miss if you're the kind of player to veer off the beaten path or focus on finishing the main story at first.

It feels obvious that AC Shadows would include some way to upgrade your gear, but the cosmetic customization is a feature you want to see in games... though it isn't guaranteed.

• RELATED: Our full Assassin's Creed Shadows review

I don't really see any reason for Ubisoft to have hidden this feature behind a quest instead of letting players customize their gear as they wish from the very beginning, but it's possibly to try and avoid overwhelming new players.

Either way, now you know better — don't spend dozens of hours in AC Shadows before learning about the Forge. Unlocking it means completing a short, easy quest and plopping a building down in your Hideout, so it's best to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

Ubisoft — the developer and publisher behind games like Rainbow Six Siege, Far Cry, Star Wars Outlaws, and more — has struggled in recent years, with many of the studio's projects underperforming financially or failing to hold public interest for long. The firm is working to try and turn its fortune, though, and one of the biggest new releases it's banking on is Assassin's Creed Shadows.

The latest entry in Ubisoft's legendary Assassin's Creed franchise is arguably its most ambitious ever, with the open-world RPG notably earning high praise from critics and content creators. My colleague Zachary Boddy hasn't finished it yet, but they've also spoken highly of the experience in their review-in-progress, calling it "a visually stunning action-RPG adventure with varied, endlessly fun gameplay backed by serious attention to detail."

Going into its launch period, interest in Shadows appears to be quite high — and that means there are lots of gamers trying to figure out when they'll be able to jump into the game. Thankfully, full details for the Assassin's Creed Shadows release date and launch times have been provided ahead of its arrival, so I've compiled all of that information below. Read on for everything you need to know, including release timing, preloading information, and more.

What is Assassin's Creed Shadows?

You'll have an idea of what to expect from Assassin's Creed Shadows if you've played a game from the franchise before. If you haven't, though, give this section a read.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the latest open-world action RPG in the series from Ubisoft, with the new release following up on 2023's Assassin's Creed Mirage. From a gameplay standpoint, Shadows can be seen as a successor to both Mirage and 2020's Valhalla, as it gives players the option to lean more towards stealth like the former did or go all-in on action combat like the latter title.

This is achieved by giving the player two characters to embody as they adventure through the chaotic war-torn lands of Sengoku-era Japan: the legendary samurai and historical figure Yasuke and a lethal and covert shinobi named Naoe. Each protagonist has their own stories and side adventures to experience, with the two connected by an overarching narrative.

After a rather lengthy opening chapter with Naoe, players will gain the ability to swap between the two characters freely. As you'd expect, Yasuke is ideal for fighting head on and opts for direct strength over more clandestine approaches, while Naoe is for those who wish to skulk in the shadows to avoid detection and execute well-planned assassinations. Both wield a variety of different weapons and tools to achieve victory, and players can tweak and customize both extensively.

The open world of Shadows is also worth touching on, as it's reportedly more engaging and dynamic than previous settings in the series. I can't speak much on this since I haven't played the game yet, but in general, Ubisoft has made an effort to avoid bloating the experience with an icon-riddled map and has instead tried to craft more interesting and unique secrets for fans to discover on their journey.

When it launches, Assassin's Creed Shadows will be available to play on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, with the game officially retailing for $69.99 on all of its platforms. However, you can get the Xbox and PC versions for discounts at CDKeys (check out the links below); alternatively, you can also play the game on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC through a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription.

Assassin's Creed Shadows release date and launch times

If you're reading this, I have good news for you: you'll be able to play Assassin's Creed Shadows in under 24 hours, and there's a decent chance that the game may actually be out already. That's because Assassin's Creed Shadows' is scheduled to release on March 20, 2025 — tomorrow, at the time of writing. The earliest time it will be playable is March 19 at 8:00 p.m. in China on Windows PC.

Some important things to mention are that Shadows is slated to go live at varying times on PC, while on consoles, it comes out at midnight in your local time zone. In other words, the time of day you can play at will be different depending on the time zone you're in — you may even get to play on the evening of March 19 — and within your region, you might get access a little sooner (or later) than someone else with a different system will.

It's all a little complicated, but for a complete look at when you can play Assassin's Creed Shadows in your time zone and on your platform, you can either check out the official graphic above or the table below; the latter includes all of the relevant information from the former.

Assassin's Creed Shadows launch countdown

This clock will count down to midnight on March 20 in the US Pacific time zone, at which point Assassin's Creed Shadows should be available in most regions on most platforms. For the specific launch times relevant to your area, make sure to refer to the section above.

When can you preload Assassin's Creed Shadows?

With games getting bigger and bigger over time, it's become increasingly valuable for developers to offer preloading — a feature that lets you install games ahead of their launches. By doing this, you don't have to spend time downloading them once they're out, and can jump right into playing (as long as there's not a day one patch, anyway).

Most AAA games like Assassin's Creed Shadows support preloading, as does Shadows itself — and preloads for the game are now live on all platforms. That means you can start installing the open-world RPG as soon as you've preordered it, so get that download moving ASAP.

Assassin's Creed Shadows download size: How big is it?

Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't the largest game I've ever seen, but make no mistake — it's still going to take up plenty of space on your hard drive. Across its platforms, the game's installation size is roughly ~115GB, so there's a good chance you'll need to clear out some space if the drive you're using has a lot of games on it already. You'll also need an SSD, as older and slower hard-disk drives won't cut it for Ubisoft's latest title.

One way to get space would be to simply uninstall things you haven't played in a while, though you may also want to upgrade your console or PC rig with one of the best SSDs so you don't have to worry about your storage anymore. With how relatively affordable drives can be, these days, I definitely recommend the latter.

Looking for a new open-world RPG to play? One of the best Xbox games and best PC games of 2025 for you will likely end up being Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game is scheduled to go live on March 20 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5.

Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't on Xbox Game Pass

Assassin's Creed is one of gaming's longest-running open-world franchises, and it's about to get one of its most ambitious new releases in years with Assassin's Creed Shadows. Its scheduled March 20 release date on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5 is now imminent, with preorders and preloads available for those that would like to buy, download, and install the RPG ahead of the big launch.

Set in Sengoku-era Japan, Shadows is unique in that it features two playable protagonists with very different playstyles: the combat-centric samurai Yasuke and the agile and covert shinobi Naoe. As they adventure through the game's open world, players can freely switch between the two; each has their own side activities to engage with, along with individually stories that occasionally converge due to the events of the overall narrative. Because of this approach, Shadows appeals to fans of both Assassin's Creed's classic stealth gameplay and the action-heavy style that was prominent in games like 2020's Valhalla.

• DEAL: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 1-month memberships are just $13.99 at CDKeys, giving you access to Microsoft's service for a steep discount

Given the popularity of the series, it's not surprising that tons of people are interested in checking out the title — especially with Assassin's Creed Shadows reviewing very well with critics. Naturally, that also means lots of folks are wondering if they'll be able to play the game through Xbox Game Pass, which is Microsoft's gaming subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee.

If you're one of them, I'm sorry to say that Assassin's Creed Shadows is unfortunately not available on Game Pass; there hasn't been any official indication of the game appearing in the service's game library whatsoever, and if it was on Game Pass, that's something both Microsoft and Ubisoft would be heavily marketing. With that said, there is another service you can play it through, which I'll explain below.

Is Assassin's Creed Shadows on Ubisoft Plus (Ubisoft+)?

Assassin's Creed Shadows may not be included in Xbox Game Pass, but that doesn't mean there's not a way to play it with a subscription service. Something many either don't know or forget about is that Ubisoft has its own program called Ubisoft Plus (Ubisoft+), and similar to Game Pass, its memberships give you access to the vast majority of Ubisoft's titles in exchange for a monthly rate.

The standard Classics tier of Ubisoft+ doesn't include brand new games like Shadows, but the $17.99/month Premium tier does. Additionally, Ubisoft+ Premium works on both Xbox Series X|S and PC, so you'd have the option of playing the new Assassin's Creed on both platforms if you subscribed to it (you'll have to link your Xbox and Ubisoft accounts). Note that unfortunately for PlayStation users, it's not available on PS5.

Even if you only sign up for Ubisoft+ Premium to play Assassin's Creed Shadows and nothing else, doing so will save you money as long as you complete the game in under a month or two and don't mind not having permanent access to the title. If you want to be able to replay it, though, I recommend just picking up a permanent copy on your platform of choice.

Looking for a new open-world RPG to play? One of the best Xbox games and best PC games of 2025 for you will likely end up being Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game is scheduled to go live on March 20 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Notably, the best deal on it available is this one that knocks the PC version down to just $53.29 at CDKeys.

It's only March, but 2025 has been a pretty significant year for big gaming releases already — and later this week, we're about to get another one with Assassin's Creed Shadows. The latest open-world action RPG from publisher and developer Ubisoft has a lot riding behind it, largely due to the underwhelming performance of many of the studio's recent titles and the subsequent decline of its reputation in many gaming circles. Like most Ubisoft games, Shadows will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5 when it launches on March 20.

Ahead of that release, Assassin's Creed Shadows reviews from outlets and critics have gone live — and so far, they're promising. At the time of writing, the game has a "Generally Favorable" 82/100 score on the review aggregation site Metacritic, along with an 81 on Opencritic; that average comes from nearly 100 reviews conducted across the ARPG's platforms, a collection of which you'll find linked below along with some noteworthy quotes:

• VG247 (100/100): "There are problems with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, for sure. But it’s so fun to play, it’s telling a gripping story, and there is so much sense of progress and reward for every little thing you do that it actually feels like an open world game that’s taking its cues from a modern roguelike, or something. Every action has meaning, and the breadcrumbs that tempt you to clean up all the icons on the map are moreish. This may be one of the biggest Assassin’s Creed games ever made, but it also feels like the most well put-together."
• TechRadar (90/100): "Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive success and a winning combination of stealth and steel. It’s a fantastic entry in the open-world RPG line of games in the stealth series and the most refined version of that style yet, with satisfying and rewarding exploration, brilliant combat, and a dual protagonist system that really works. Even a few minor quibbles can’t hold it back."
• Wccftech (87/100): "Assassin's Creed Shadows is one of the finest entries in the series, successfully bringing back stealth-oriented gameplay while retaining the RPG mechanics and refined combat mechanics seen in previous entries in the series, seamlessly integrating them with the dual protagonist setup and a well-paced story that doesn't overstay its welcome. While the game still features way more content and gameplay systems than necessary, its rendition of Feudal Japan is among the best ever seen in a video game, and it is well worth experiencing for the vast majority of players."
• GamesRadar+ (80/100): "Assassin's Creed Shadows thrives on boldness. Its dual protagonists improve on the series' stealth-driven roots and modern RPG leanings, though they're let down by a vague story that fails to make full use of either character."
• Digital Trends (70/100): "Assassin’s Creed Shadows almost feels like what it would be like if Ken Burns was tasked with making a video game. It’s exhaustive in how it depicts Japan’s feudal era even in fiction, crafting its world with the eye of a historical documentarian. It’s not quite the in-depth slice of life that Red Dead Redemption 2 goes for, but it approaches that same idea with fewer systems. Some of my favorite moments came when I just got bored of stabbing people and got on my horse instead. I didn't stop every few feet to complete a puzzle. I didn’t stop to open another chest. I just rode, breathing in nature and listening to my own exhale intertwine with the wind."
• PCGamesN (60/100): "While its open world is stunning, its combat is robust, and its dual-protagonist design is somewhat novel, Assassin’s Creed Shadows proves too repetitive and dramatically flat to wholeheartedly recommend taking its trip back in time."

There's a notable range of scores overall, though the majority of reviews award the game the equivalent of an 80/100 or higher in their rating scale. Most evaluations praise Assassin's Creed Shadows' highly detailed, highly immersive depiction of Sengoku-era Japan, the game's blend of action and stealth-focused mechanics, and its overall graphical fidelity and audiovisual presentation. Indeed, Shadows' inclusion of both the combat-forward samurai Yasuke and the covert shinobi Naoe as playable protagonists means you'll have a fitting character to embody no matter which playstyle you prefer, and its open world sounds like the most impressive one Ubisoft has ever crafted.

Among lower-score reviews, criticisms vary — some take issue with systems believed to be too simplistic, while others point to unimpressive AI — but most highlight the game's story and writing as a weak point, with many asserting that the stories of Yasuke and Naoe are uninspired individually and don't connect in sufficiently meaningful ways. Reviewers have also argued that Shadows on the whole hasn't done enough to evolve Assassin's Creed, and that its world — while stunning to look at and listen to — doesn't engage the player in a way that makes it stand out in the ever-growing market of open-world titles.

I should note that we have our own Assassin's Creed Shadows review here at Windows Central, though it's still an unscored review-in-progress since my colleague Zachary Boddy hasn't finished it yet (it's a huge game). In their piece, they wrote that "Assassin's Creed Shadows doesn't feel much smaller than its bloated predecessor [Valhalla], but it does feel more refined and focused. This is a visually stunning action-RPG adventure with varied, endlessly fun gameplay backed by serious attention to detail. As long as it sticks the landing in the final hours, Ubisoft truly has a win on its hands with Shadows — and I hope it's a lesson the publisher learns for the rest of its portfolio."

Personally, I haven't really enjoyed the Assassin's Creed games for a long time now, as I feel like the focus on action over stealth that began with 2013's Black Flag has eroded the franchise's identity and made it feel far more generic than the original titles. 2023's Assassin's Creed Mirage tried to go back to its roots, but disappointing parkour, janky animations, and a somewhat sparse map made it difficult to enjoy the renewed emphasis on stealth. I didn't exactly have confidence in Shadows to please as a result of this, but the positive reception it has so far and the widespread praise for its world and gameplay flow actually has me feeling hopeful about the experience.

Even if Shadows isn't particularly innovative or avant-garde, it does seem to be refined — and after the frustrating clunkiness of Mirage and ~10 years of action-heavy AC, I'll be satisfied with a smooth and stylish Assassin's Creed that lets me live out my sneaky assassin fantasies. I probably won't pick this one up right away, but I'm definitely buying when it's on sale.

Looking for a new open-world RPG to play? One of the best Xbox games and best PC games of 2025 for you will likely end up being Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game is scheduled to go live later this week on March 20 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Notably, you can get the Xbox version for a small discount thanks to this deal that brings it down from $69.99 to $65.99 at CDKeys.

Ubisoft has had a rough few years, and that's an understatement.

Its most successful franchises have withered under repetitive, bloated, and outdated open-world game design, its attempts at new victories have failed thanks to half-hearted trend-chasing or truly broken launches, and the few gems we've seen have been subsequently abandoned because they weren't immediate financial successes.

Ubisoft has fallen from the height of video game publishers to one of the most derided and least trusted in the industry — and Assassin's Creed Shadows, the long-awaited sequel for Ubisoft's hero franchise, is one of its last chances to reverse the tide and restore community confidence.

When I went hands-on with Assassin's Creed Shadows, hours of gameplay were more than enough to convince me that Ubisoft at least deserved the chance at redemption. Now, I've sank an astonishing 112 hours into the final game (and one minute, to be exact), and my mind is made up.

Ubisoft actually pulled it off. Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't just a great game, it's one of the absolute best to ever come out of the publisher — and one of the best of the year so far. If Ubisoft can learn the right lessons from this title and take them forward, the publisher could be on the precipice of a slow, arduous, but possible comeback.

This review was made possible thanks to a review code provided by Ubisoft. Ubisoft had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

AC Shadows review: What is it?

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a brand-new, mainline entry in the storied Assassin's Creed franchise, following 2020's Assassin's Creed Valhalla as an action-RPG rather than the classics-inspired Assassin's Creed Mirage released in 2023.

Developed by the flagship Ubisoft Quebec studio and published, of course, by Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed Shadows is the most important video game the French publisher has released in years.

Steady declines in trust and regular struggles to win over modern players have heavily impacted Ubisoft, led by years of increasingly formulaic, repetitive open-world games and half-hearted trend chasing.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is Ubisoft's latest attempt to rectify its mistakes, with a lot of hopes and expectations riding on this ambitious action-RPG.

Set in 16th-century feudal Japan torn apart by bloody conflicts between indifferent warlords, AC Shadows follows the adventures of young shinobi Naoe and legendary samurai Yasuke, giving players two entirely different playstyles from which to choose.

Assassin's Creed Shadows officially released on Mar. 20, 2025, for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. We already know that the game will receive a major "Claws of Awaji" DLC expansion at some point in 2025.

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AC Shadows review: Performance and stability

One component contributing to Ubisoft's current dour standing is a reputation for launching games in a sorry state. Major performance issues, game-breaking bugs, and crashes have been common in many Ubisoft titles at launch.

The additional time in the oven Ubisoft gave Assassin's Creed Shadows has clearly paid off, though, as this game doesn't feel half-baked at all.

Performance has been excellent across the board, even in busy environments or during heated combat segments, and I've only noticed a handful of dropped frames or stutters.

Playing on Xbox Series X lets you choose between the framerate-prioritizing "Performance" mode and resolution-prioritizing "Quality" mode. The latter is locked to 30 frames-per-second, but it feels smooth and responsive alongside noticeably improved visuals, making it my preferred way to play.

I did encounter a myriad of random glitches and minor issues, though, especially with character and cloth animations, and occassionally the lighting engine. During my dozens of hours, the game crashed on me three times, but I lost next to no progress thanks to aggressive auto saves.

Ubisoft has been resolving issues at an impressive rate, too, as well as responding to player feedback with new features and quality-of-life improvements. Several of my complaints have already been directly addressed, and more updates are on the way.

On PC, matters are also quite positive. Assassin's Creed Shadows is a heavy game on your system, but it gives you a ton of options to tailor the game to your setup, including ultrawide monitor support, High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, an uncapped framerate, in-depth graphical customization, and AMD FidelityFX, NVIDIA DLSS, and Intel XeSS 2 integration for dynamic resolution, upscaling, and frame generation.

On ASUS ROG Ally X, I was able to enjoy playing the game at around 40 frames-per-second (FPS) on the lowest preset and AMD's Super Resolution and Frame Generation features enabled. This was on one of the most powerful handhelds, though, so others may have very different experiences.

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AC Shadows review: Visual and audio presentation

Assassin's Creed games have been known for their visual and audio presentation since the series' inception, with previous titles like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag helping set the graphical standard for an entirely new generation of consoles.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla looked incredible, whatever weaknesses the game may have had, but Shadows comfortably surpasses it at every turn. Japan is already a beautiful country, and this game's idealized and polished visuals more than do it justice.

You'll find a stunning spectacle around every corner, with Assassin's Creed Shadows boasting varied, vertical, and vibrant landscapes adorned with swathes of lush foliage, dotted with intricately constructed buildings and temples, and teeming with worn roads, overgrown trails, and hidden secrets.

This game is beautifully rendered, with perfectly over-saturated visuals that highlight the immense detail in the environments. Towering mountains, tranquil oceans, vast tilled fields, shrouded groves of flowering trees, it's all tied together so well in a lovely clash of browns, blues, greens, whites, pinks, and more.

There's even a surprisingly vast variety of wildlife to encounter, including herds of deer, mischievous monkeys, lone foxes, families of tanuki, flocks of herons, geese, and crows, pairs of pheasants or hares, sniffling boars, and more.

Settlements will have their own ecosystems, too. Horses, pet dogs and cats (and their puppies or kittens), hungry strays — they're all there.

Don't worry; you can pet many of the animals, and those you do can actually be added to your hideout to visit at any point, while other pets can be collected from vendors, quests, or simply finding and painting them in the world as Naoe.

It's not just the natural environments, though. Castles, cities, villages, and even random farmhouses possess unmatched character.

There are entire districts of cities that you'll never need to visit (because there are no quests, vendors, or secrets) that nonetheless faithfully recreate the industries, markets, and houses that comprise it. Ubisoft has never struggled with the world-building aspects of its games, and Assassin's Creed Shadows showcases the publisher at its very best.

This isn't a static world, either. AC Shadows makes sure you, the player, know you have a presence in this rendition of Japan. Snow and mud defamation leave a persistent mark of your passing in your wake, while wind, rain, and snow leave their mark on your clothing and body.

Many of the environments you pass through acknowledge your existence, too. Plants and cloth will move as you pass, carts, doors, and furniture will suffer the consequences of heated combat and violent attacks, and animals will react to your approach (normally by running).

The world changes over time, too. The wind comes in any form, ranging from a light breeze to a bustling gust, while overcast clouds can bring misty mornings and light drizzles or violent torrents of rain and deep peals of thunder following sharp cracks of lightning. Blizzards can wash the world in frozen white, disguising the horizon from your view.

The world does change as day dynamically shifts into night and back again, and the weather further impacts the world by whipping plants and trees, casting leaves and petals into the sky and on the ground, and more — but the most dramatic changes come from the passing of seasons.

Ubisoft divided Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter into different stages — you don't just get Winter, you get the first snow blanketing the lingering orange and red foliage of Autumn, then you enter deep Winter and its frozen lakes, before finally transitioning back into the new green of Spring and its humid downpours.

I've not even talked about the beautifully detailed animations for animals, characters, and clothing, either. This game is spectacularly gorgeous in every sense of the word, and that does apply to audio, too.

AC Shadows delivers swelling and moving music, captivating ambient soundscapes, spontaneous and tactile gameplay effects, and more. It's all very well done, but you may be too busy taking screenshots to notice.

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AC Shadows review: Gameplay experience

Love it or hate it, Ubisoft continued to polish and refine the new RPG gameplay of Assassin's Creed through Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. Each game became increasingly bloated and repetitive, though, while the gameplay continued to trek further and further from what made Assassin's Creed one of the world's biggest franchises in the first place.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is still an action-RPG, but Ubisoft has done an excellent job paring down the excess fat, polishing gameplay and traversal, re-incentivising exploration, and giving players a proper, distinct choice between the fast-paced gameplay of old and the heavier combat of new.

Enter: Naoe and Yasuke. The twin protagonists (although Naoe definitely feels more like the main character, especially in the Prologue and Act 1) each play a huge role in the story. You can spend most of the time as either one after Act 1, and your choice will dramatically impact how you approach the game.

Naoe is the possessor of the iconic hidden blade, passed down to her by her father, and she is an accomplished, highly trained shinobi. The smallest and lightest assassin we've seen in the series yet, Naoe is also the most acrobatic and agile.

Using a vast arsenal of tools and weapons in addition to her physical talents, Naoe is able to find her way into places Yasuke could never reach. Her climbing prowess allows her to scale almost any wall, her grappling hook allows her to reach the places she can't climb, and her compact stature allows her to crawl or slip into areas no man could follow.

It's here where you see the most dramatic changes Ubisoft has made to the modern AC formula. Finally, parkour feels revitalized with a suite of new animations specific to Naoe. More importantly, it also feels more controlled despite the flashier animations.

How Naoe approaches ascension or descension depends on your approach and how you command her, with three of the four face buttons on your controller playing a role in her traversal abilities.

You'll still experience moments of frustration when Naoe doesn't respond the way you expected, failing to smoothly leap, roll, flip, or slide as she normally does, but my frustrations were far lesser than in previous AC games.

Yasuke, by contrast, can only climb the surfaces that give him adequate support to handle his increased mass and generous handhelds to accommodate his armored gloves.

You're not entirely limited to the ground (far from it), but Yasuke absolutely faces life head-on, including being able to physically barge through almost any obstacle (like barricaded gates, for example).

When you're not elegantly sliding across the boulder some idiot put in your path or gracefully flipping off a rooftop to assassinate some other idiots in the way of your landing, AC Shadows also shows its gameplay improvements through combat.

Yasuke and Naoe are equally gifted fighters but in very different ways. Each can utilize a unique set of tools, weapons, and abilities (that you can customize, evolve, and customize to your heart's content) that complement those styles.

Naoe specializes in diversion, distraction, and discrete assassination and, in a pinch, can rely on her parrying and evading skills to keep her in the action. She may not pack the punch that Yasuke does and she may not be able to take the same hits, but she's more than capable enough to come out of a heated battle unscathed.

Yasuke, on the other hand, does not find the word "subtle" in his vocabulary. His massive frame provides ample strength to wield an arsenal of weaponry that allows him to control entire battlefields with ease.

That size gives him space to don the toughest armor, too, so Yasuke can dish out damage in a wide area just as well as he can take it — and that's very well indeed.

Both play wonderfully, with interesting and engaging weapons and abilities that force you to think differently. I personally prefer Naoe, the successor to the golden age assassins we remember fondly, but Yasuke's brutal strength is extremely satisfying, too.

Beyond those two elements, Assassin's Creed Shadows also, finally meaningfully improves Ubisoft's open-world formula. No more is your map inundated with endless icons and a depressive grind to obtain 100% completion.

You're incentivized to explore because of the opportunities and secrets you may uncover, not to find one of a hundred collectibles you'll never actually care about.

Side quests and activities are more varied and dynamic than ever, although you're not entirely free of the open-world bloat. Side quests and activities can absolutely feel repetitive after a while, and obtaining 100% completing in AC Shadows remains a daunting task.

Even so, I remained engaged with Assassin's Creed Shadows for over 100 hours, exploring as much of the world as I could (and completing every single mission I could find), while most other games of this size lose me around the 60-hour mark.

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AC Shadows review: Story and characters

If you're marching into this section of the review with thoughts of "Ubisoft isn't respecting Japanese culture" and "Yasuke wasn't a real samurai" on your tongue, you can go ahead and leave.

I'm not going to claim that Assassin's Creed Shadows boasts the most realistic depiction of ancient Japan we've ever seen in video games, but I never expected it to — this is Assassin's Creed, a fantasy series grounded by a seed of historical truth.

What I can say, though, is that Ubisoft has done a great job paying respectful homage to Japanese culture while also retaining the fantastical, over-the-top elements that make this an Assassin's Creed game.

As always, it's clear that Ubisoft invested significant resources in researching this era of Japan, using the spoils of its efforts to inform the meticulous, deep worldbuilding in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Ultimately, that's what carries this game's narrative and single-player campaign. You're part of an alternate, dramatized Japanese history, but you can also immerse yourself in the unique culture of the period and its arts, customs, religions, and traditions.

AC Shadows is happy to take its time with cinematics, animations, or dialogue to remain faithful to its setting, too.

To be frank, I don't care if Yasuke was a storied warrior or a simple sword-bearer; Assassin's Creed Shadows explores the former within its fictional realm, including the course of his life after the death of his lord.

Yasuke is, in a single word, a complete badass. He's an awesome character, and it's interesting to see how the world around him reacts to his unfamiliar appearance before adjusting to acknowledge him as an honored samurai.

The vast majority of the people you'll meet are born-and-raised Japanese, of course, including Naoe, but there's also a fair number of Portuguese merchants, missionaries, and diplomats.

In the "Immersive Mode" (which I highly recommend), you'll experience the world of AC Shadows with everyone actually speaking Japanese or Portuguese as they would, with native speakers lending a ton of credibility and emotion to the voice acting (as opposed to the English voice acting, which is... ah, not great).

Yes, the worldbuilding and characters make Assassin's Creed Shadows' campaign, because the actual narrative treads safer paths. Naoe seeks revenge for the death of her father, unknowingly embroiling herself in a heated conflict that will not only decide the fate of her homeland... but also possibly the world as a whole.

It's a well-done story, and the writing is of decent caliber, but I doubt we'll see AC Shadows winning heaps of "Best Narrative" awards at the end of the year.

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AC Shadows review: Microtransactions and DLC

Modern Ubisoft games have especially been criticized for in-game stores laden with microtransactions on top of the premium price tag attached to its games, and Assassin's Creed Shadows does not buck that trend.

You can buy unique, legendary gear for Naoe and Yasuke, cosmetics for your allies and hideout, crafting resources to give you a leg up, and even a map to highlight the location of treasures and secrets in the world.

It's dumb, but the "pay-to-win" elements don't actually matter in a purely single-player game, and AC Shadows has felt perfectly balanced — to the point where I've never once felt tempted to dive into that store to skip some grinding.

You can also earn premium items just by playing the game. AC Shadows features a number of live service elements that stay completely out of your way unless you look for them.

You can complete time-limited events and mini-missions for in-game currency that you can use at the Exchange, a periodically refreshed shop offering random premium items. It adds more endgame content, it lets you pick up some sweet gear, and I've earned quite a bit just by playing the game (I never once sought out any of these features).

Assassin's Creed Shadows will get more content after launch, too. Sure, that means more optional purchases in the store if you care about it (most people won't), but we already know this game is getting post-launch expansions. The first one is coming later this year with over 10 hours of new content and a new area.

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AC Shadows review: Accessibility design

Ubisoft is one of the more underrated publishers when it comes to building approachable, accessible games, and Assassin's Creed Shadows is one of the company's best efforts.

While a complex game, AC Shadows' menus are quite legible, and you have a ton of options to customize your gameplay experience, including tuning the combat, exploration, and stealth difficulty (even enabling guaranteed assassinations), toggling sensitive content and visuals, and more.

When it comes to accessibility, you can toggle post-effects, bind individual controls with distinct profiles for controller and keyboard, adjust the mechanics for combat, events, and more. You even have individual deadzone and threshold sliders for each thumbstick and trigger.

Customize the Heads-Up Display (HUD) and adjust every element of the audio (including the frequency of music and the mix between loud, soft, dynamic, and ambient noises) — there's a lot here.

I wish Ubisoft had condensed the most important options into a dedicated "Accessibility" menu (like what you get when the game first starts), though, but my other complaints regarding needless hurdles in the UX have already been resolved by post-launch updates, like allowing you to sell or dismantle lots of gear at once.

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AC Shadows review: Final thoughts

✅You should play this if ...

• You're searching for a massive, beautiful world to spend a lot of time in
• You miss playing as an actual assassin in Assassin's Creed games
• You've been waiting for Ubisoft to return to form with its games

❌You should not play this if ...

• You really don't like the modern Assassin's Creed RPGs
• You'd much rather play more condensed 10-30 hours games

When the credits finally rolled in Assassin's Creed Shadows — after 112 hours of exploring Japan as Naoe and Yasuke — it took a very long time to roll. Hundreds of people worked on this game, and their efforts are obvious.

Recent Assassin's Creed games have been well made in their own right, but nothing since Black Flag has approached this level of polish, cohesion, and fun. Assassin's Creed Shadows is an incredible RPG and one of Ubisoft's best.

Dual protagonists blend the best of classic and modern Assassin's Creed games, and the straightfoward narrative is (at least in my opinion) somewhat elevated by focusing on Japan rather than some parallel modern timeline.

The gameplay is more refined and fluid than ever, and it actually feels meaningful to explore this world — which showcases Ubisoft's genuine expertise in worldbuilding. Assassin's Creed Shadows is also far more polished than we've seen from a flagship Ubisoft game in a very long time.

It all comes together to create a game-of-the-year contender for 2025. I can't overstate how impressive it is for any title to retain my attention for more than 60 hours, let alone keeping me hooked for well over 100. Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't perfect, but I love it anyways.

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One of the most anticipated games of 2025 is Assassin's Creed Shadows, the long-awaited sequel to Ubisoft's biggest franchise.

AC Shadows takes full advantage of modern gaming hardware to deliver a truly ambitious action-RPG open-world adventure, which begs the question: can you comfortably play this title on gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, or Lenovo Legion Go?

I tested it myself and came away pleasantly surprised. Assassin's Creed Shadows is an intensive game, but you can have a great time playing it on handhelds — and it'll even support Steam Deck at launch. Here's what you need to know.

If you'd like to know about the game, you can check out my in-depth Assassin's Creed Shadows review.

The settings you'll want to use when playing Assassin's Creed Shadows

Assassin's Creed Shadows lacks a dedicated preset for gaming handhelds (at least the Ubisoft Connect version), and it did a poor job automatically identifying my handheld's hardware capabilities and adjusting settings.

So, here are the settings I used to enjoy playing Assassin's Creed Shadows on ASUS ROG Ally X (but these settings should be more-or-less the same on all handhelds).

• Native resolution: 1080p (720p on Steam Deck and other low-powered handhelds)
• Preset: Low
• AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution: Enabled, set to Performance
• AMD Frame Generation: Enabled
• Raytraced Global Illumination: Diffuse Everywhere (Diffuse Hideout Only on Steam Deck and other low-powered handhelds)

Using the above settings, the ASUS ROG Ally X benchmarked with a 41 frames-per-second average. Disabling AMD's Frame Generation dropped that framerate down to a measly 23 FPS average, so that setting is necessary for a good handheld gaming experience.

The Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 16GB of RAM should perform similarly, but you'll want to assign 6GB of RAM to the GPU (Assassin's Creed Shadows used around 5.6GB on the Ally X, which has a more generous 24GB of shared RAM).

Less powerful gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go S will also be able to play Assassin's Creed Shadows without much issue, but much closer to a locked 30 FPS. The Steam Deck's lower-resolution display will help compensate for its lower 4GB of RAM assigned to the GPU, while the Legion Go S has plenty of RAM to go around.

On any handheld, I recommend playing on the highest wattage performance profile (so you'll want to stay plugged in or accept the hit to battery life), but the most powerful handhelds, like the ROG Ally X, should still be playable on the default performance profiles when off the charger.

Keep reading for my personal experience playing AC Shadows on a handheld!

How's the gameplay experience with AC Shadows on handhelds?

I use the ASUS ROG Ally X with 8GB of RAM assigned to its GPU, which is one of the more optimal handheld gaming setups you can buy right now, so my experience can be considered the "ideal" for AC Shadows on handhelds.

Using the settings described above, I was able easily obtain a stable 40 frames-per-second with few drops or stutters. I was surprised by how smooth AC Shadows seemed to run, even while traveling through foliage-dense areas or placing multiple NPCs on screen at once.

At the very least, I never once saw a dip below 30 FPS. Yes, this is with AMD Frame Generation enabled, but Assassin's Creed Shadows feels smoother at 30 FPS than many other AAA games and Frame Generation doesn't introduce any noticeable latency or unwanted visual artifacts.

• RELATED: Our full Assassin's Creed Shadows review

As I mentioned above, other gaming handhelds should at least be able to hit 30 FPS, although the Steam Deck may be slightly less stable thanks to its decreased VRAM. Either way, it's more than playable, with consistent and responsive controls for combat and exploration.

Visually, Assassin's Creed Shadows actually looks great on the smaller 7-inch screen of the ASUS ROG Ally. Draw distance isn't nuked in order to sustain that framerate, so you can still enjoy gorgeous vistas while traveling. Pixel peeping screenshots will reveal all the major graphical downgrades, of course, but while playing the game, it looks and feels really good.

As soon as I saw the first trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows, I knew that this was going to be the first Assassin's Creed in a long time to really get my interest. After all, I have a lot of respect for Ubisoft Quebec which is leading the game's development since this team has previously brought us some of my favorite Ubisoft games including Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and Immortals Fenyx Rising.

But before you can dive into this dual-protagonist adventure that's finally coming out on March 20, 2025, you'll need to make sure your gaming laptop or gaming PC can handle Assassin's Creed Shadows system requirements. I'll go over what those requirements are and then will offer helpful tips for upgrading your PC if you need to do so.

• Buy Standard Edition (PC): $52.09 at CDKeys | $69.99 at GMG
• Buy Gold Edition (PC): $77.49 at CDKeys | $109.99 at GMG
• Buy Ultimate Edition (PC): $115.59 at CDKeys | $129.99 at GMG

Assassin's Creed Shadows specs: System requirements

The exact Assassin's Creed Shadows PC file size hasn't been revealed yet, but we'll update the page when this info is made known. Otherwise, here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for this RPG.

Assassin's Creed Shadows PC Minimum system requirements for Windows

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8700k / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB or AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB / Intel Arc A580 8GB
• Storage: SSD mandatory
• DirectX: DirectX 12

The CPU and GPU requirements listed here aren't very demanding and they aren't all that modern either. Of the processors listed, the Radeon RX 5700 is the newest with its July 2019 launch date. As such, as long as you've upgraded your gaming PC or purchased a decent gaming laptop within the last few years you'll more than likely be able to play Assassins' Creed Shadows at its minimum system requirements.

Assassin's Creed Shadows PC Recommended system requirements for Windows

• OS: Windows 10/11
• Processor: Intel i5-22600k / AMD Ryzen 5 5600x
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060Ti 8GB / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT 12GB / Intel Arc B580 12GB
• Storage: SSD mandatory
• DirectX: DirectX 12

Even Assassin's Creed Shadows' recommended system requirements aren't that strenuous. As long as you're computer has been upgraded to a decent CPU and GPU within the last five years (or you've purchased a decent gaming laptop within that time), then you should be able to play Shadows as it was intended.

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How do I see my computer configuration to see if it can run Assassin's Creed Shadows?

• Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Delete to make a menu pop up.
• Next, click on Task Manager.
• When the Task Manager window pops up, click on the Performance tab on the left side of the screen. You can then click on the following sections to see your computer's configuration info:
  • CPU: There's a lot of info here, but simply look above the graph to see the exact name of your central processing unit.
  • Memory: Once again, look above the graph while in this view and you'll see how much RAM your computer or laptop has.
  • Disk: This page will tell you if your computer has an HDD or SSD as your data storage device. Look at the bottom of the window where it says Capacity. Just note that the number that appears will be slightly less than your actual storage capacity. For instance, my work computer shows 1.8TB, which means I have 2TB of space.
  • GPU: As with CPU and Memory, once again look above the graph to see the specific graphics card your computer has. If your computer has multiple graphics cards then you might have multiple GPU sections. Note that only one of these GPUs needs to meet Assassin's Creed Shadows system requirements.

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Can my gaming handheld run Assassin's Creed Shadows?

On the official Assassin's Creed Shadows Steam page, Steam Deck compatibility is listed as "Unknown." As such, it's unclear how well the game will run on Valve's handheld. However, given that the minimum PC requirements aren't that intense and the Steam version offers controller support, it seems likely that the game will be playable.

Meanwhile, It seems likely that Shadows will work on PC gaming handhelds like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and MSI Claw. However, it's unclear at present how smooth the gaming experience will be on these devices. We'll have to wait and see if Ubisoft incorporated a specific handheld mode or at least has settings better suited to these handhelds.

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How to upgrade my computer for Assassin's Creed Shadows

• Recommendations: Best pre-built gaming PCs | Best gaming laptops
• Memory: How to upgrade and install RAM in a laptop | How to upgrade and install RAM in a desktop
• Storage: Best SSD for PC | How to upgrade laptop HDD to SSD | Tips to free up space on Windows 11
• CPU: Best CPU for your PC | How to install an Intel CPU in your PC
• GPU: Best graphics cards | How to install a new graphics card
• Overall tips: How to build your PC the right way

Since the CPU nad GPU demands for this game aren't too taxing, you should be able to play Shadows if your gaming laptop or rig has decent processors that released in the last few years. However, if that isn't the case then you might need to consider making an upgrade.

You'll also need to make sure you have a decent amount of storage available on your system in order to install and run Assassin's Creed Shadows. If you are out of room, you'll have to delete files to make space or else should consider upgrading your SSD.

Assassin's Creed, but in Japan

Assassin's Creed Shadows features two protagonists much like Assassin's Creed Syndicate did, but that's not surprising given that the same studio was lead developer for both games. I'm excited to see what challenges playing as two people with completely different fighting styles brings to the series. But before you can dive in, you'll need to make sure your computer can handle this game.

Thankfully, both the recommended and minimum system requirements aren't too demanding. As long as your gaming PC has been updated somewhat recently you should be able to play this game. But if you do find that your computer isn't up to snuff then it might be time to upgrade it or grab a new gaming laptop.

Good luck getting that all sorted. Hopefully, you and your gaming PC will be ready and rearing to go once Assassin's Creed Shadows launches on Mar. 20, 2025.

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Ubisoft used to seem like an unstoppable juggernaut in video games, barreling seemingly unchallenged from one wild success to the next. Innovations in open-world game design and the pursuit of relentless fun have stagnated into formulaic reiterations driven by shareholder decisions and faceless committees, though; that once unshakeable momentum has been withered by constant disappointments and persistent fatigue.

I myself have lost hope in Ubisoft over the years, and I'm not alone. An aversion to risk taking, haphazard attempts to inject "live service" elements where they don't belong, a growing reputation for broken launches and buggy games, and a tendency to abandon the few actually amazing projects (like Immortals Fenyx Rising and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown) have toppled Ubisoft from its throne. For many, the ailing French games publisher has one more chance at redemption: Assassin's Creed Shadows.

I had a limited preview for Assassin's Creed Shadows last year that gave me hope, but I've nonetheless avoided hyping this game up too much — I'd like to avoid setting myself up for disappointment once again. Now, though, I've actually played AC Shadows, enjoying a four-hour remote preview that has broken through my lingering reservations. I can't help it, I'm extremely excited for this game... And it may just be the redemption that Ubisoft sorely needs.

What is Assassin's Creed Shadows?

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the latest in one of the longest-running video game franchises, continuing to evolve the RPG gameplay mechanics introduced with Assassin's Creed Origins in 2017. This time, Ubisoft is taking players to a location that has been heavily requested since basically the beginning of the series — Japan. More specifically, 16th Century feudal Japan, during the war-torn Sengoku period.

Following Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the last major AC entry released in 2020, Ubisoft has made a lot of changes to win back classic Assassin's Creed fans. Now, players will be able to instantly switch between two protagonists at any point, with each main character boasting an entirely different playstyle. There's the agile shinobi, Naoe, and her repertoire of ninja tools, and then there's the imposing samurai, Yasuke, a powerful warrior based off the real-world historical figure.

AC Shadows could represent the start of a brand-new era for the franchise, if it truly delivers (and I have a feeling it actually might). Assassin's Creed Shadows was recently delayed until Mar. 20, 2025, but it won't be too long before you'll be able to explore feudal Japan on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. You can read our Assassin's Creed Shadows FAQ for more information on this game.

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AC Shadows hands-on: Bringing feudal Japan to life

Since its inception, the Assassin's Creed franchise has been known for cutting edge visuals and technically impressive open worlds. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is positively gorgeous, so it makes sense that its true, next-gen successor would push the limits even further. Well, Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't a massive leap in graphical fidelity at first glance, but an upgraded Anvil Engine and a lot more development time allowed Ubisoft to make tremendous changes in arguably more important places.

Largely, that means a more dynamic open world. AC Shadows is building its rendition of feudal Japan on three features: dynamic time-of-day, transitions through four distinct seasons, and a myriad of unique weather events. The bustling towns and villages, expansive fields and farms, and serene forests and mountains all look incredible on their own, but even in my limited hands-on I was able to witness how time affects it all.

The world changes more than visually as time progresses, too. As the seasons roll, you may discover new opportunities, observe new world events, and witness new unique weather effects. It's not just about the big picture — Ubisoft paid attention to the minute details, too. There's much greater variety to NPC appearances and behaviors, and crowd density has been increased. NPCs will react differently depending on which character you're playing as, and will be affected by the weather, change of seasons, and more.

Many elements of the environment are interactable and even destructible, too. An errant whip of Naoe's kusarigama (basically a sickle on a chain) may smash through nearby crates and carts, and each mighty swing of Yasuke's sword may precisely cut through entire fences and doors. It's impressive in action, and makes combat feel more impactful.

One moment that particularly stands out to me is when, shortly after Spring transitioned into Summer, I stepped outside of a building and was hit by a mighty gust of hot wind. The trees and tall grass in front of me were being pulled along by this wind, and debris like leaves and dust were swept past me and into the distance. It's a small moment and certainly not unique to Assassin's Creed Shadows, but it's just one tiny fragment of the dynamic, living Japan Ubisoft set out to create.

I adored exploring the tiny slice of Japan Ubisoft set me loose in. Certain elements like facial animations and textures may not quite approach games like Senua's Saga: Hellblade II (although I was pleasantly surprised by the voice acting quality), but I'm more than happy to skip the pixel peeping and instead simply enjoy what very well could be the best open world sandbox we've ever seen in Assassin's Creed.

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AC Shadows hands-on: Major gameplay upgrades

A common criticism aimed at the modern RPG-style Assassin's Creed games is that the core gameplay (especially combat) has drifted too far from what made the original games so successful. Combat feels less fluid, enemies are spongier, and despite technically having significantly more options it still felt like you were given less choice in how to fight. I was already optimistic that AC Shadows would undo some of this bad rep, and now I know that's true.

Assassin's Creed Shadows stars two main characters: the fictional shinobi Naoe, who utilizes a vast array of ninja tools and her incredibly agility to outmaneuver her opponents, and the historical samurai Yasuke, who's imposing size and strength allow him to wield the most terrifying of weapons and smash through many obstacles. You don't choose one or the other; both these characters play a critical role in the story, and you can swap between them at any point. Naoe, especially, highlights the improvements Ubisoft has made to the AC stealth mechanics, including going fully prone to remain hidden or access tight spaces.

Their playstyles are diametrically opposed, too, each with their own unique arsenal of weaponry, gear, and abilities. Naoe is the smallest playable character in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and she's also the fastest and most nimble. Yasuke is one of the largest playable characters in the franchise, and he's also one of the strongest and most deadly in direct combat. Whether you want to be stealthy and utilize your hidden blade or charge directly into the heat of battle, you can approach almost every mission and objective in Assassin's Creed Shadows the way you choose.

Both characters feel amazing to play as. Naoe was my preferred character for the majority of my four-hour preview, and many of the improvements Ubisoft made in AC Shadows shines here. The all-new suite of animations for combat and parkour looks stunning, and both gameplay mechanics are more fluid and dynamic. It may take a moment to adjust, but I felt like I had more control than ever over how I traversed the map, even if AC Shadows doesn't boast quite as many climbable surfaces as past games (I never really saw this as an issue, though, I always had multiple available paths).

Combat ticks all the boxes I want — it's precise and tactile, with excellent feedback from enemies as you stagger them, shatter their armor, cut into their flesh, or brutally finish them off. There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each character that make you choose your approach to combat and scenarios carefully. Naoe may be able to go almost anywhere, but she's in trouble if she's caught and surrounded. Yasuke may be able to challenge powerful foes without issue, but no one is going to miss seeing him approach.

In general, though, I had a blast playing AC Shadows. I was only able to explore one part of the open world, but it felt like a positive shift in game design compared to recent AC titles. You still craft and upgrade gear, and you will have your own stronghold that you build up over the course of the game, so that does mean a lot of mundane resource collection.

AC Shadows doesn't inundate you or your map with endless minor objectives, though; the world changes over time, and simply being aware of your surroundings will get you the materials you need. Missions and points of interest require careful investigation, including building up a network of spies and informants to help you track down your next objective. Items that do appear on your map tend to be more interesting, including contracts, side missions, and extremely valuable treasure. You have some reasons to go off the beaten track, too, as Naoe loves to paint wildlife as she discovers them, like a heron fishing for its lunch or a mother doe bathing her fawn.

I'll need more time with the full game to know if this world remains interesting and engaging throughout, but I'm feeling more positive than I have in a long time about an open-world Ubisoft game. There are other improvements that I genuinely love, too. Whenever you're supposed to be following a character, you can now press a button to perfectly match their pace and pathing, so you no longer have to worry about being too fast or too slow. If you prefer to stay true to the Assassin's Creed storyline, you can enable the returning "Canon Mode" from AC Valhalla, which makes Naoe and Yasuke automatically make the decisions Ubisoft respects in the lore.

My personal favorite is the "Immersive Mode." AC Shadows lets you choose your own language options, including fully voiced Japanese, but the Immersive Mode has every character speak their native language, fluidly switching between Japanese, Portuguese, and more as needed, all while respecting your subtitle language. It's an option that more games set in different parts of the world need to have. There are plenty of areas you can see the benefit of AC Shadows' longer development time, as it really does feel like Ubisoft is paying attention to the details and striving to make this the best Assassin's Creed game ever.

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AC Shadows hands-on: Signaling a change at Ubisoft

Ubisoft knows as well as we do that it needs Assassin's Creed Shadows to succeed. The last Far Cry and Assassin's Creed games failed to meet expectations, Ubisoft recently shuttered its XDefiant first-person-shooter experiment, and the publisher's "AAAA" disaster (otherwise known as Skull and Bones) missed the mark entirely. Ubisoft is even in talks with Tencent to break up some of its video game assets as part of a new venture.

Ubisoft's best games in years, Immortals Fenyx Rising and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, internally missed some metrics or whatever, and those teams were scattered; even Star Wars Outlaws, a game I listed as one of my favorite of 2024, still felt like half the game it could've been. For years, you've been able to rely on Ubisoft for one thing: to ultimately disappoint you in some way or another.

The fact that Ubisoft continues to delay Assassin's Creed Shadows shows that the publisher is serious about getting this right, and my hands-on preview two months ahead of launch lends me hope that it actually succeeded. There's still much we don't know about this game and won't until it finally arrives, but the combat, traversal, open world, and accessibility may all count among the very best in the franchise. If Ubisoft can stick the landing, it may signal a desperately needed change at the publisher.

Cookie cutter games aren't enough to shine through the endless morass of launching titles, especially when so many incredible teams are actively seeking new ways to innovate. If Ubisoft wants to keep up, it needs to break its tendency to stick to tradition or halfheartedly chase short-lived trends — give developers the time and resources they need to craft the games they want, with both passion and attention to detail. I've only played a few hours of Assassin's Creed Shadows, but maybe Ubisoft finally got the memo. I just hope it's not too little too late.

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The future of one of gaming's biggest publishers may be getting a little stranger.

A report from Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter indicates that Ubisoft's founding family, the Guillemots, are considering creating a "new venture" in partnership with Chinese megaconglomerate Tencent. This new company would gain some of Ubisoft's assets, giving Tencent more control while keeping the new venture privately owned.

At this time, it's unclear exactly which assets would be moved into the new company and which would remain nominally with Ubisoft. The company oversees several massive franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon, Spliter Cell, and the Tom Clancy games.

Reports indicate that Ubisoft's heads have been seeking a buyout of some kind since at least 2024, with months of conversations between CEO Yves Guillemot and Tencent, but the parties have been unable to reach a deal so far.

The big immediate question mark surrounding these negotiations is the company's upcoming role-playing game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, which has been delayed twice and is now expected to arrive on March 20, 2025. It's one of the only games the company has publicly slated to launch in 2025, adding increased pressure to expectations surrounding its commercial success.

Alongside Assassin's Creed Shadows' delay, Guillemot confirmed the company had appointed advisors to to aid in "exploring various strategic and capitalistic options to unlock the full value potential of our assets."

Turning the corner?

Ubisoft has faced increasingly turbulent financial straights over the last couple of years, with the company explicitly blaming the claimed underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws as a major factor. Ubisoft also announced that its free-to-play shooter XDefiant would be winding down in 2025, with 277 employees affected by the closure of three development studios across Osaka, San Francisco, and Sydney.

While Ubisoft is currently in a rough patch, the company is hardly done fighting. Insider Gaming indicates that Ubisoft has a number of large games on the way that are yet to be announced or dated (or both) but are meant to launch before the end of 2026. This roster includes a remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Hexe, a new Ghost Recon, the Splinter Cell remake, and a few other "smaller" projects.

Other major games in Ubisoft's portfolio, such as The Division 3, Beyond Good and Evil 2, another mainline Assassin's Creed role-playing game, and another Assassin's Creed remake, are all reportedly further out.

Naturally, I'll be keeping a close eye on Ubisoft in the coming weeks and months. The company is one of the largest western publishers, responsible for the biggest games in existence. It'll be interesting to see where everything ends up falling.

The next big game from Ubisoft is being delayed once more.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is delayed to March 20, 2025, Ubisoft shared in a press release on Thursday. Originally slated to launch back in November 2024, the game was initially delayed to February 2025 in order to allow for additional polish.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot says that the second delay was decided in order to give the teams as much time as possible to craft the "most ambitious opus of the Assassin's Creed franchise," adding that they "made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months that will enable us to fully deliver on the potential of the game and finish the year on a strong note."

With its release date bumped to March, Assassin's Creed Shadows faces less stiff competition immediately around launch. Multiple major games are currently slated to arrive in February, including Xbox and Obsidian's Avowed and Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds.

Assassin's Creed Shadows also faces more direct competition in the form of Ghost of Yōtei, PlayStation and Sucker Punch Productions' sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Ghost of Yōtei is penciled in for a 2025 launch at the moment, though the exact release date is not known.

The Assassin's Creed franchise has long remained one of Ubisoft's main pillars, with the last mainline entry, 2020's Viking role-playing tale Assassin's Creed Valhalla, being of Ubisoft's best-performing games of all time. Ubisoft is confirmed to be working on remakes of some older Assassin's Creed titles as part of its longterm strategy, including a reported remake of 2013's hit Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, which allowed players to sail the seas as a pirate.

Ubisoft continues to face financial struggles

This second delay comes as Ubisoft is struggling, with the company blaming the underperformance of titles like Star Wars Outlaws. Just before the end of the year, Ubisoft announced it was discontinuing support for free-to-play shooter XDefiant in June 2025, with its San Francisco, Sydney, and Osaka studios being shut down after around 277 employees who worked on the game were laid off.

Ubisoft leadership is now exploring options around selling the company, with Guillemot noting that the company has appointed advisors to assist with "exploring various strategic and capitalistic options to unlock the full value potential of our assets."

Prior reports indicated that Ubisoft could see a buyout from its founding Guillemot family in conjunction with Chinese megaconglomerate Tencent. A potential deal might even see the company taken private. Ubisoft currently holds the cloud gaming rights to Activision Blizzard King titles, a deal that was reached with Microsoft in order to allow the latter to acquire Activision Blizzard King back in October 2023.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is currently slated to launch on March. 20, 2025 across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (including Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Mac, and Amazon Luna.

Ubisoft has shared new information about the fundamentals of Assassin's Creed Shadows' parkour system in a new blog post. Slated for a Feb. 14 release date, Assassin's Creed Shadows features two protagonists: the Shinobi, Naoe, and the Samurai, Yasuke. With Naoe proving to be the more nimble of the two leads, it only makes sense that the Shinobi is the highlight of the newly shared details about the changes to the series' much-loved parkour gameplay.

From the cathedrals of Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, Assassin's Creed has long served as a massive playground where gamers could experience historical districts via unconventional means. Parkour has cemented itself as an integral part of the Assassin's Creed series, and it should come as no surprise that it is also integral to Shadows' gameplay.

The latest update to the Ubisoft blog from the team behind AC Shadows sets the stage for the parkour gameplay that players can expect when the game launches next month. Set in the crowded streets and dangerous castles of Feudal Japan, Naoe will offer speed and masterful agility as she bounds across rooftops and scales towers to overlook the landscape. Naoe's way isn't the only path players can forge, however, and Yasuke will prove to have his own useful set of skills for traversing Japan. Though his methods may prove to be a little more brute force than skillful ninja.

Shadows offers new movement features like a physics-based grappling hook and prone movement that will help players scale the stone walls of Feudal Japan's domineering castles and locate new hidden pathways that may present unique parkour challenges. According to Simon Lemay-Comtois, the Associate Game Director for Assassin's Creed Shadows, players will want to be more mindful of how they approach parkour in the upcoming game because of these changes.

“In our game, holding down the parkour up button like it’s a gas pedal is not the optimal way to do parkour," says Lemay-Comtois. "Discerning which button does what is necessary to maximize a great parkour flow and keep your momentum."

Lemay-Comtois explained in the post that players will find dodge mechanics have been merged with the new parkour down mechanics. This creates a new mapping scheme that disconnects the playable character's stance from parkour in order to prevent players from executing parkour down when they do not mean to. This runs alongside the "parkour up" mechanics series fans will recognize as a long-running gameplay staple, including features like running up a wall to grab a ledge or leaping across a gap between two rooftops.

Of course, we've all made the jump from one rooftop to another, only to land with a hearty thud and lose a portion of our health bar. A new recovery roll mechanic can now be deployed when jumping from a distance so that Naoe can soften her impact (and the noise it may produce.) New dodge features also give players the opportunity to traverse downward with smoother transitions. When playing as Naoe, this results in acrobatic moves, while the clunkier Yasuke will have a weightier drop.

Sprinting has also seen some reworking in preparation for Shadows' two protagonists. Naoe will feature a sprint dodge mechanic that triggers a dive-roll, allowing her to cross agriculture fences, wooden crates, guardrails, and more while avoiding damage. This new mechanic can also be automated so that players can just bypass small objects without additional inputs, but without the benefit of damage protection. Sprinting isn't just for Shinobis, though. Yasuke can also sprint and shoulder bash his way through obstacles, with automated pass overs kicking in for low, non-destructible objects.

Both characters can also chance stances while sprinting. Pressing to crouch will result in a sliding animation that ends in a crouch, while switching to prone results in a diving animation. Sprinting from crouch or prone will force the characters back into the standing stance.

While those are all meaningful changes to Assassin's Creed's movement system, it's the grappling hook that may serve to have the biggest impact. "Any proper Shinobi game needs its grappling hook," said Lemay-Comtois. Naoe's grappling hook will offer players a new way to ascend, descend, and pivot or swing around Japan. Naoe can interact with numerous grapple points around the world, and will sometimes need to hook-swing between multiple points to cross dangerous areas that would otherwise be impossible to traverse.

Players can also master other impressive movement mechanics in Shadows, including a wall run eject, backward dodge, and various stance dodges. These mechanics can be strung together to create some impressive moves, like a backward roll paired with an assassination. Mastering the game's movement mechanics is also pivotal to making the most of your time in Feudal Japan, as there will be areas that you can only explore with one character or the other. "This is a pretty big deal for us," said Lemay-Comtois, "This means we had to be more thoughtful about creating interesting parkour highways and afforded us more control about where Naoe can go, and where Yasuke can’t, making our two play styles even more contrasted."

Assassin's Creed Shadows is developed by multiple regional Ubisoft studios and published by Ubisoft. The open-world action-adventure title will launch on February 14 on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. You can check out our preview of Assassin's Creed Shadows, or read our in-depth FAQ for Shadows to learn more about the game ahead of its launch.

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Syndicate first launched in 2015 across Xbox One, Windows PC, and PlayStation 4.
• The game focuses on the Frye siblings as they aid the Assassins in Industrial Revolution-era London.
• While praised for its story and setting, the game saw weaker sales than many of its predecessors, which was attributed to franchise fatigue and the bug-ridden launch of 2014's Assassin's Creed Unity.
• Assassin's Creed Syndicate is now playable at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

It's the perfect time to visit one of 2015's most underappreciated games.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate now runs at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, thanks to a free update from developer and publisher Ubisoft. This entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise is the last of an older "classic" style before the series began more heavily exploring role-playing game elements.

While the game was playable on modern consoles thanks to backward compatibility, it was previously locked to 30 FPS, making it feel and look slower compared to many other games. Now, it's a 60 FPS experience, making it smoother to revisit or play for the first time.

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An underappreciated gem

Assassin's Creed Syndicate was well received at launch by critics and players, but the game's sales suffered in spite of this quality.

That's largely due to it coming just a year after 2014's Assassin's Creed Unity, a launch laden in technical issues and glitches that took a long time for the developers to fix. This was combined with perceived franchise fatigue, with Ubisoft launching at least one Assassin's Creed game per year starting in 2009 with Assassin's Creed 2.

Following softer sales for Syndicate (which sold around 5.5 million copies in its first year) Ubisoft relaxed on attempting to get a game out every single year, allowing some of the creative teams to introduce new ideas, like the role-playing game elements seen in Assassin's Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.

If you never played Assassin's Creed Syndicate, I encourage you to give it a chance now that it plays at 60 FPS on modern consoles. The older style of gameplay can feel a bit refreshing after years of massive open-world titles, and Evie Frye is a seriously underrated protagonist.

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Shadows was slated to arrive on Nov. 15, 2024. 
• Ubisoft is delaying the game out of the year to polish the experience. 
• All new preorders of the game will be granted the first expansion for free, and Assassin's Creed Shadows will now launch on Steam day one. 
• Assassin's Creed Shadows is now scheduled to arrive on Feb. 14, 2025. 

Ubisoft's next big game is getting pushed out the year. 

The company shared on Wednesday that Assassin's Creed Shadows is now launching on Feb. 14, 2025, being pushed out of its original November 2024 release date.

"This is an ambitious addition to the franchise, a rich experience that can be lived through the eyes of two unique protagonists - but we realize we need more time to polish and refine the experience, pushing further some of our key features," Ubisoft's statement reads. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows was slated to arrive across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Uplay, PlayStation 5, Mac, and Amazon Luna, but is also now coming to Steam on day one.  All current preorders are being refunded soon, and any new preorders for Assassin's Creed Shadows will now get the game's first expansion for free, while Ubisoft is "departing" from the early access season pass model for this game, meaning season pass owners won't get three-day early access to the game.

This delay also comes on the back of Ubisoft's recent launch for Star Wars Outlaws, a launch that Ubisoft states was "softer than expected," adding that Star Wars Outlaws will be coming to Steam on Nov. 21, 2024.

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Two open-world Japanese adventures in the same year

This delay means Assassin's Creed Shadows is now launching in the same year as another big open-world adventure set in Japan.

PlayStation Studios and Sucker Punch Productions' Ghost of Yōtei, a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, is slated to launch on PlayStation 5 at some point in 2025. Introducing a new protagonist named Atsu who takes up the mantle and mask of the legendary ghost Jin Sakai, little else is known at this time. 

While it's likely that the games will be separated by at least a few months, the timing is certainly noteworthy, especially given how long game development takes for blockbuster titles.

Rather than being on Steam, the latest Ubisoft PC games have only been available on Ubisoft Connect, which is the publisher's own digital distribution service and game launcher. This means that certain Ubisoft games aren't available to play on Steam Deck out of the box. 

Thankfully, a helpful open-source plugin launcher known as Decky Loader makes it easy to access Ubisoft Connect and, therefore, any Ubisoft PC game on Steam Deck. I'll go over how to install Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck using Decky Loader so you can start playing your library of games on your Linux-based gaming handheld. 

Steam Deck controls are not supported when accessing Ubisoft Connect this way. You will either need to hook up a mouse and keyboard to your Steam Deck (check out our best Steam Deck accessories for suggestions), or create your own button map or download customized controls that someone else has already created. While it is possible to install Star Wars Outlaws on Steam Deck via Decky Loader, the game always crashes when you attempt to run it. 

How to install Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck using Decky Loader

Arguably, the easiest way to get Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck is via Decky Loader. If you haven't downloaded this program yet, you'll need to do that first. For assistance, go to our guide on how to get Decky Loader on Steam Deck then come back here.

1. Press your Steam Deck's QAM button (Quick Access Menu — the three-dot button on the right) and select the newly added NonSteamLaunchers app (If it isn't there, then Decky Loader wasn't installed properly. Look at our Decky Loader on Steam Deck guide to check your steps).
2. Select Game Launchers. 
3. Toggle on Ubisoft Connect. 
4. Scroll down and toggle on Separate Launcher Folders if it hasn't been toggled yet. 
5. Next, select Install then wait while installation completes.
6. When done, press the Steam button. 
7. Go to Library. 
8. Use R1 to switch to the Non-Steam apps and select Ubisoft Connect. 
9. Select Play to open the app.
10. Login to your Ubisoft Connect account. 
11. Navigate to your library of games. 
12. Download/install the game you want to play. Star Wars Outlaws or Assassin's Creed Shadows, for instance. Then, wait while the game installs. 
13. When the game is ready, select it to start playing on Steam Deck.  

It isn't the most intuitive set of steps, but there's no denying that Decky Loader is one of the most convenient and fastest ways to access Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck. 

Ubisoft Connect via Decky Loader FAQ

You might have some more questions about Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck or Decky Loader. This area should hopefully catch any additional inquiries you might have. 

Start playing your Ubisoft Connect games on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck is basically a gaming laptop with controllers attached, but it's a bit more limited out of the box than the ROG Ally or Legion Go, which are Windows 11 gaming handhelds. Thankfully, you're not limited to playing only your Steam games on Steam Deck if you take the time to install Decky Loader and then use that service to download other game launchers like Ubisoft Connect. 

Based on what we've seen with games like Star Wars Outlaws and Assassin's Creed Shadows, it's unclear if Ubisoft's future games will come to Steam at all. As such, it's a good idea to make it possible to play these adventures from your preferred gaming device. That way, you won't miss out on any PC games that aren't available via Steam. Just be prepared to either play these games with a keyboard and mouse on Steam Deck, or else create your own customized controller map. 

French publisher Ubisoft is known for creating some of the biggest video game franchises in the world, including Far Cry, Just Dance, Tom Clancy's titles, Rayman, and Watch Dogs, among others. Of all the company's properties, though, none are as unique — or as successful — as Assassin's Creed. First debuting all the way back in 2007, Assassin's Creed quickly grew into a flagship series for the publisher, with fans falling in love with its diverse historical settings and seamless blend of parkour-driven action and stealth within its sprawling open worlds.

So far, there have been 12 main Assassin's Creed installments — a thirteenth, Assassin's Creed Shadows, is coming later in 2024 — and if you're interested in checking them out, I've got good news: every single game in the series is on sale for major discounts right now, even in the aftermath of Amazon Prime Day 2024, and all but one are available for just $12 or less at retailers Green Man Gaming and CDKeys. Most of these deals are for the PC versions of the games, but there are quite a few for the Xbox ones, too. I've listed them all below.

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The Assassin's Creed games I'd buy while these deals last

Deals this good on games this big are rare, even around sales events like Prime Day. With that in mind, I'd honestly recommend getting all of the Assassin's Creed games while they're this affordable (Assassin's Creed Unity for under $3 on Xbox? Come on) as it's not likely they'll stay that way for long once the sales frenzy dies down later this week. Of course, I understand that not everyone has the money to do that even after taking discounts into account, and that many prefer to be more selective about the games they purchase.

If I could only recommend buying a few of these games, my picks would be the three games in The Ezio Collection/Ezio Trilogy: Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Assassin's Creed Revelations. Like the original Assassin's Creed, they place a strong emphasis on creative free-roam stealth — to me, that's what makes the series truly stand out from other open world games — but feel considerably smoother to play with their improved controls and movement systems. Ezio Auditore da Firenze's complete story is also masterfully written, and as a result, he's gone down in history as one of the greatest characters in gaming. Oh, and nabbing all three games for $11.69 on Xbox or $12.09 on PC is an absolute steal, too.

Newer games in the franchise have expanded its scope with larger, denser play spaces and a wide variety of options in combat, but many of them — especially Odyssey and Valhalla — also sidelined stealth as a consequence, making them feel less distinctive when compared to other open world titles. With that said, they're still gorgeous to look at and very fun to play in their own way, and I do enjoy some of the roleplaying features Ubisoft has experimented with over the years. If you'd prefer a middle ground between the different styles, you'll greatly enjoy Assassin's Creed 3, Unity, and Syndicate, along with last year's Assassin's Creed Mirage.

Does Assassin's Creed play well on Steam Deck and other gaming handhelds?

Yes, Assassin's Creed is very enjoyable on Steam Deck and other gaming handhelds such as the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go (don't miss the best Prime Day deals on gaming handhelds). The older games run especially well since their requirements are low; just be aware that on Steam Deck, you'll need to add the Ubisoft Connect client as a non-Steam program.

What you need to know

• Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot conducted an interview with Ubisoft to discuss the publisher's focus on different games in the coming months and years. 
• Guillemot noted that in addition to new games like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Codename Hexe, Assassin's Creed players can look forward to some remakes. 
• Guillemot says these remakes will allow Ubisoft to "revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them" for players.
• In June 2023, a report from Kotaku indicated that Ubisoft was looking to remake Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, a game that first released in 2013 and is widely considered a highlight of the franchise.

It looks like players will be revisiting some older, beloved settings. 

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot spoke with Ubisoft on Thursday, outlining some of the plans that the publisher has for the coming years, including what kinds of games are on the way. Speaking on the Assassin's Creed franchise, Guillemot noted that new games like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Codename Hexe are on the way, but that there will also be some remakes.

Guillemot says that "players can be excited about some remakes, which will allow us to revisit some of the games we've created in the past and modernize them; there are worlds in some of our older Assassin's Creed games that are still extremely rich." 

Which Assassin's Creed games will get remakes?

While Guillemot did not go so far as to confirm exactly which Assassin's Creed games are getting remakes, we've got a good idea of at least one title being rebuilt for a new generation of hardware. 

In June 2023, Kotaku reported that Ubisoft was working on a remake of Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. The sixth mainline entry in the franchise, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag first released in 2013 across as a cross-generation launch title for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Per the report, the game was said to be "a few years away" at the time, though it's certainly possible things have changed since then.

Featuring protagonist Edward Kenway, Black Flag gave the game an open world pirate setting, unleashing players on the Caribbean and allowing them to command their own ships. It was critically praised and commercially successful, with over 11 million copies sold by the end of 2014. 

Analysis: Sure, why not?

I'm certainly not opposed to some remakes, and while Black Flag is perfectly playable on modern hardware, it's status as a fan-favorite could certainly warrant more investment outside of a simple framerate bump or new coat of paint to spark new interest for returning players. 

I'm curious what games would see remakes outside of Black Flag. The obvious answer is the original Assassin's Creed, a game that had great ideas for its time but can be frustrating to play now due to the archaic gameplay systems. The real question for me is if Ubisoft would push for remaking the Ezio games? That's the golden goose for many players, myself certainly included, and I can absolutely see a true remake of that trilogy selling ludicrously well if given the time and care it deserves.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to Assassin's Creed Shadows. My colleague Zachary Boddy got to preview this upcoming game when we were in L.A. for Summer Game Fest 2024, and they write that "With Assassin's Creed Shadows, it seems like Ubisoft may have finally found the sweet spot. The setting is perfect, the visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and the core gameplay we've seen so far is the perfect evolution to AC that Ubisoft desperately needed to find."

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated to launch on Nov. 14, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Amazon Luna, Mac, and PlayStation 5.

Assassin's Creed is one of the largest and longest-running franchises in the video games industry, but it has undoubtedly changed drastically from entry to entry — and in turn alienated its fan base. I know I haven't fallen in love with an AC game since the legendary Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, which I've 100% twice; even when I played Valhalla for dozens of hours, I found it well-made but ultimately dreadfully bloated and formulaic.

Now, though, I find myself looking forward to a new mainline Assassin's Creed game for the first time in... Well, forever, since I actually discovered Black Flag well after its initial release. At least with the limited information we have leading up to launch, it seems like Ubisoft is finally delivering the game fans have been clamoring for in Assassin's Creed Shadows, with a heavily requested setting, sleek and brutal combat improvements, and more flexibility than ever for different play styles.

During Summer Game Fest 2024, I was treated to an exclusive gameplay walkthrough of Assassin's Creed Shadows showcasing both Naoe and Yasuke, and I'm now eagerly waiting for November to roll around.

• Check out our complete Xbox Games Showcase 2024 coverage
• Preorder Assassin's Creed Shadows for $69.99 at Best Buy (Standard, Xbox) | $109.99 at Best Buy (Gold, Xbox)

What is Assassin's Creed Shadows?

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the next mainline entry in the infamous Assassin's Creed series published by Ubisoft. While technically the successor to 2023's smaller, throwback Assassin's Creed Mirage from Ubisoft Montreal, AC Shadows feels more like the proper follow-up to the massive, Viking-themed Assassin's Creed Valhalla from the leading Ubisoft Quebec studio in 2020. Also led by Ubisoft Quebec, AC Shadows is the first title in Ubisoft's ambitious Assassin's Creed Infinity project.

AC Infinity is meant to transform Assassin's Creed from an iterative franchise to a live service platform, allowing players to access multiple AC experiences across various settings and periods through one in-world hub. It's an exciting prospect, but it's still unclear exactly what form AC Infinity will take when it's fully realized. All we know is that Assassin's Creed Shadows is big, built on an upgraded version of the Anvil Engine to take full advantage of Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.

Set in 16th century Japan during the feudal Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows follows two protagonists: the mysterious Shinobi Naoe and the powerful samurai Yasuke. The former is a fictional character created by Ubisoft, but the latter is the first playable character based off a real-world historical figure. Players will need to navigate the turbulent waters of civil war-stricken Japan, fighting alongside allies to achieve peace.

Assassin's Creed Shadows officially releases on Nov. 15, 2024, with early access opening on Nov. 12 for those who preorder the premium editions of Assassin's Creed Shadows. You can learn more in our in-depth Assassin's Creed Shadows FAQ.

The gameplay evolutions I've been wanting

At Ubisoft Forward, the company showed off over ten minutes of Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay. That same day, I was invited to an exclusive, guided hands-off gameplay demo of AC Shadows that lasted for over 30 minutes. I saw what you all saw, but from more angles and perspectives, and with more information and context provided. It's the push over the edge I needed to truly be excited for AC Shadows, as Ubisoft showed me the gameplay evolutions I've been waiting for.

I saw the same mission three times, once with Naoe in full stealth mode (what was shown at Ubisoft Forward), another with Naoe doing a "Yasuke" and taking on her opponents head-first, and then a final round with Yasuke absolutely charging through with no regards for subtlety. I won't comment much on the state of the game here, like unfinished NPC animations and awkward AI, as the game is obviously still months away from release and there's plenty of polish to be done.

We also didn't see many aspects of the game, like the ability to design, build, and manage your own Shinobi hideout to regroup, converse with allies, and manage your gear. The focal point of the gameplay shown off was that Assassin's Creed will no longer force players into a specific play style. No longer will you have to be a stealthy assassin, or force a Viking to pretend at being stealthy, or anything else. Even how you'll be treated while exploring the world will change depending on which character you play as.

Assassin's Creed Shadows will let you choose between two entirely separate and opposing characters (and you can apparently play 95% of the game as one or the other, if you choose), and each provides a ton of variance in movement, exploration, and combat mechanics that simply wouldn't be possible with a single character.

Naoe is the stealthy Shinobi that we're used to from classic Assassin's Creed titles, and is actually the most nimble and agile assassin we've ever seen, with incredible ability to traverse the terrain and take advantage of even the smallest enemy weakness. On the other end of the spectrum, Yasuke is the most powerful and brutal warrior to ever be playable in an Assassin's Creed game, towering over his foes and delivering devastating blows with each swing of his weapon.

We saw a lot more of Naoe during our exclusive preview than what was shown at Ubisoft Forward, and that alone made me desperate to play Assassin's Creed Shadows for myself. The way Naoe plays is exactly what I missed in Valhalla and why nothing I saw of Mirage interested me; she's graceful, skilled in a wide assortment of weapons and gear, and is impossibly deadly without relying on pseudo-magic.

On top of that, AC Shadows seems to bridge the gap between Valhalla and Mirage when it comes to its RPG elements — enemies still have varying levels of strength and players can still dramatically change their character, but ultimately you won't be restricted simply because you happened to run into the wrong enemy.

I also like that Ubisoft is leaning into this idea of using information as a weapon; you'll be able to develop a network of spies across Japan and use them to gather data on your targets. When it's time to eliminate an opponent, you'll need to use this information and all the tools at your disposal to locate, identify, and eliminate them. In theory, it could make AC Shadows the best game about being an assassin, but we'll have to see how it all comes together in practice.

The potential to bring me back to AC

When Ubisoft moved away from the classic Assassin's Creed formula with Origins, I understood why. The series had become increasingly formulaic and bloated, and the publisher needed a way to freshen the franchise and make room for all the mechanics and content it had introduced. Unfortunately, Origins failed to attract me back to the franchise for completely new reasons, and those problems only worsened as time went on.

I sank dozens of hours into Valhalla because it seemed, at least on the surface, that Ubisoft had perfected its approach to the Assassin's Creed RPG, but Valhalla is so unbelievably massive and lacks the variety and ingenuity to justify its size. After my time spent doing the exact same things over and over revealed a distinct lack of progress, I dropped the game and never returned. Ubisoft returned to the classic formula with Assassin's Creed Mirage, but the gameplay felt too stripped back and lacked the soul that made me fall in love with the series in the first place.

With Assassin's Creed Shadows, it seems like Ubisoft may have finally found the sweet spot. The setting is perfect, the visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and the core gameplay we've seen so far is the perfect evolution to AC that Ubisoft desperately needed to find. All the pieces are here for Ubisoft to win me back over, but I obviously still have some questions and concerns.

Will Assassin's Creed Shadows learn from Ubisoft's past stumbles with formulaic open world design, or will it lade players with repetitive and lifeless tasks solely designed to populate a map? Will AC Shadows respect players' time and investment, or will it bombard players with endless microtransactions and in-game purchases that add nothing to the overall experience?

This and more can make or break Assassin's Creed Shadows, but I'm at least far more optimistic this time around than I have been about the last... six Assassin's Creed games. What I've seen so far both in official trailers and during my limited hands-off preview makes Assassin's Creed Shadows one of my most anticipated releases of 2024, and the game has the potential to become one of the best Xbox games of the year if it truly delivers.

Please, Ubisoft, don't mess this one up. I don't have any more chances to redeem Assassin's Creed in my gamer heart.

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Shadows is an upcoming open-world adventure set in feudal Japan that follows two protagonists: Ninja assassin, Naoe Fujibayashi, and the historic African samurai, Yasuke.
• A new trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows was shown off during the Ubisoft Forward for June 2024. 
• The game is set to launch on Nov. 15, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. 
• Buy for Xbox: $69.99 at Best Buy | $69.99 at Ubisoft 
• Buy for PS5: $69.99 at Best Buy | $69.99 at Ubisoft 
• Buy for PC: $69.99 at Ubisoft

This has been an exciting week for gaming as various live events have given us more insights into the various games coming out this year and beyond. Today during the Ubisoft Forward for June 2024, we got to see a 13-minute gameplay walkthrough for Assassin's Creed Shadows. The gameplay walkthrough was preceded by a musical performance, and a speech by Charles Benoit, Game Director for Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Benoit described how seasonal elements could affect gameplay opportunities, such as ice preventing characters from going underwater in the winter. The gameplay sequence presented during the showcase was centered on using Yosuke and Naoe's skills together to accomplish their mission.

The gameplay walkthrough was a follow-up to the 2-minute gameplay trailer shown during the 2024 Xbox Showcase. The first look at gameplay opens with a flyover of feudal Japan, narrated by the shinobi, Naoe. We see Naoe test her hidden blade for the first time before moving on to an introduction to Yasuke. Another narrator signifies the importance of Naoe and Yasuke working together, claiming, "You can see when two people fit. When they will be better together." 

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to launch on November 15, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5. For more information, check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows FAQ. 

Take on the Knights Templar in feudal Japan

It's been a few years since we had a major Assassin's Creed game, which I hope means that we can expect a higher caliber playing experience from Shadows. I've played most of the AC games and as such I hope that Shadows has fewer repetitive filler quests and focuses more on story-driven missions with unique experiences. The repeat nature of quests and the ungodly length was honestly what made Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) so exhausting. 

As you can see from my Assassin's Creed Mirage review (2023), I did enjoy this shorter game since the story didn't stretch on for too long. It also helped that developer Ubisoft Bordeaux made an effort to go back to the series' roots, gameplay-wise. That all said, Mirage really didn't add anything new or interesting to the series. So, I'm really hoping that Shadows gives us a fresh take on the Assassin's Creed formula.

It's worth noting that Ubisoft Quebec is the specific studio working on Assassin's Creed Shadows, and that gives me hope that I'll enjoy this game a fair amount. You'll recognize this developer as having worked on Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and the more child-friendly Immortals Fenyx Rising. I've loved all of these games, especially the snarky dialogue between characters and the fun puzzles often found in these various titles. At any rate, we can see from Jacob and Evie Frye from Syndicate as well as Kassandra and Alexios from Odyssey that Ubisoft Quebec knows how to have interesting dual protagonists.

If you're excited for other titles releasing this year and beyond, check out our list of upcoming PC games and or list of upcoming Xbox games. For additional Assassin's Creed Shadows editions and pricing information, check out our Assassin's Creed Shadows buying guide. 

Since the Hidden Blades were first unsheathed in new countries following the rise of Ubisoft's stealth-action franchise, players have desperately wanted to see a game set in Japan. The reasoning makes perfect sense, as the work the Assassins undertake in their war against the Templars seems well-suited for a game filled with samurai and ninjas. 

For years, this plea went unanswered, with Assassin's Creed instead tackling myriad settings like Colonial America, Paris in the grip of revolution, Ancient Egypt, and even the Viking invasion of Saxon-held Britain. Now, at long last, players will get to take up a katana and shuriken with Assassin's Creed Shadows. 

Initially revealed as Codename Red alongside the further-off, witchcraft-focused Codename Hexe, Assassin's Creed Shadows got its official title in a May 2024 reveal. It's a big game, which means players have big questions. I've rounded up the answers to some frequently-asked questions, so here's everything you need to know about Assassin's Creed Shadows.

• Buy for Xbox: $69.99 at Best Buy | $69.99 at Ubisoft 
• Buy for PS5: $69.99 at Best Buy | $69.99 at Ubisoft 
• Buy for PC: $69.99 at Ubisoft

What is Assassin's Creed Shadows?

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the latest entry in the Assassin's Creed series, which first began all the way back in 2007. Development on Assassin's Creed Shadows is being led by Ubisoft Quebec, the same studio that led work on Immortals Fenyx Rising, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Naturally, the game is also being developed with support work from 15 of Ubisoft's other studios. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set in the year 1579, with 16th century Japan at the close of the Sengoku period. Players will be playing as not just one character, but instead two protagonists. Yasuke, an African retainer to Oda Nobunaga, is one playable character, while the other is Naoe Fujibayashi, a Japanese woman trained as a Ninja and an Assassin.

The two characters provide vastly different playstyles and perspectives, and are forced to work together as the Tenshō Iga War causes strife across all of Japan. According to Ubisoft, Naoe is embarking on a quest for revenge to fulfill an "impossible promise," while Yasuke is forced to confront "demons of his past."

Assassin's Creed Shadows is also the first title being developed as part of the ongoing Assassin's Creed Infinity platform. Details are still vague, but Ubisoft has described Infinity as being a unifying platform for all future Assassin's Creed titles.

Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay details

Gameplay in Assassin's Creed Shadows is similar to past titles, with stealth, Hidden Blade takedowns, and brawling combat. These features are split across the two playable characters, with Yasuke and Naoe each having distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Yasuke is a warrior, capable with large weapons like the bow, katana, naginata, or war club. Capable of fighting multiple opponents and dishing out powerful blows, Yasuke is not stealthy, and is essentially unable to hide in traditional Assassin's Creed fashion. Meanwhile, Naoe uses stealth-oriented gear like the Hidden Blade, kunai, or shuriken, and she can easily slip through crowds and avoid detection. After viewing a hands-off preview of the game, my colleague wrote that Yasuke is extremely strong and imposing, while Naoe is graceful and athletic. 

Every weapon in the game has a unique skill tree for upgrades. Yasuke and Naoe do not share skills, but they do share XP, so you don't have to worry about one character being horribly under-leveled if you've spent a particularly long time playing as the other. 

Ubisoft is using a new, advanced version of the Anvil engine in Assassin's Creed Shadows, and that's resulted in some new gameplay features. Lighting has been improved, with real-time global illumination that has a direct impact on stealth. It'll be easier for players to tell if they can be spotted or not as they stick to the shadows, something that invites comparisons to older games like Thief. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows also features changing weather, with the seasons advancing as you play through the game. This can have a direct impact on how you play, changing the terrain and in turn your approach. As an example, a pond of water might freeze over in winter, meaning you can now run across it at the cost of being unable to hide underwater.

Is Assassin's Creed Shadows multiplayer?

Despite having two playable characters, there is no co-op or multiplayer in Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game has been specifically built as a single-player role-playing game, with players simply going back and forth between both playable protagonists. 

If you're hopeful that there'll be multiplayer at some point in the future however, it seems like there will be, just not in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Ubisoft is currently working on an Assassin's Creed multiplayer experience, which is being developed under the working title Invictus. We don't know much about it, but like Assassin's Creed Shadows, this is meant to be part of the Assassin's Creed Infinity platform. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Platforms

Assassin's Creed Shadows is being developed for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam, the Ubisoft Store, and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Amazon Luna, and Mac via the Mac App Store. The game will not be available on the previous generation of consoles, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. 

This is a big deal, as bar one technicality I'll explain in a bit, this marks the first time in over a decade that mainline Assassin's Creed games haven't been developed with the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 in mind, something that began with 2014's Assassin's Creed Unity. That lone aforementioned technicality is 2014's Assassin's Creed Rogue, which was initially developed just for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This game was later remastered and ported to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2018.

Leaving the previous generation of hardware behind, Assassin's Creed Shadows employs multiple advanced features that wouldn't be possible on older machines. This includes upgraded lighting, which directly impacts the new stealth gameplay mechanics. It also means the game can be built around the ultra-fast internal SSDs used in the latest consoles.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: internet connection

When some players saw mentions of an internet connection being required in the store listing for Assassin's Creed Shadows, they understandably worried that this meant the game would be locked behind having internet, which could be problematic if the servers were ever shut down. 

Ubisoft has clarified that this is not the case, as Assassin's Creed Shadows only requires an internet connection once, when you first set the game up. After that, you are completely free to play the game offline.

Assassin's Creed Shadows: Release date

Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to launch on Feb. 14, 2025 for standard edition buyers. This means it's coming four years after the launch of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the last major game in the series, as well as one year after 2023's smaller title, Assassin's Creed Mirage. We have a full Assassin's Creed Shadows preorder guide available, so you can determine which version of the game is the one that's best for you.

While Assassin's Creed Shadows was initially meant to launch in November 2024, Ubisoft announced on September 25 that the game was being delayed. As part of this delay, it would also launch day one on Steam. The early access included in the season pass was also removed, meaning all players will experience the game at the same time.

The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows looks far more appealing to me than the last few entries in the AC series thanks to its historic Japanese setting and dual protagonists. The game was initially scheduled to release on Nov. 15, 2024, but it has since been delayed to Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 2025. To get people excited for the release, Ubisoft is offering preorders for four different editions of the game: A Standard Edition, Gold Edition, Ultimate Edition, and Collector's Edition. 

Not sure which one to buy? I'll go over what exactly is included in each edition to help you make the best choice for your playing desires. 

• Buy Standard Edition: $69.99 at Best Buy (Xbox) | $69.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
• Buy Gold Edition: $109.99 at Best Buy | $109.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
• Buy Ultimate Edition: $129.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
• Buy Collector's Edition: $279.99 at GameStop (Xbox) | $279.99 at GameStop (PS5)

Assassin's Creed Shadows Standard Edition

• Buy Standard Edition: $69.99 at Best Buy (Xbox) | $69.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
  
  INCLUDES:
• Base game
• Preorder bonus

As you'd expect, the Standard Edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows simply comes with the base game. However, those who preorder Shadows will get an additional bonus quest entitled, "Thrown to the Dogs." The Standard Edition sells for $69.99 and is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows Gold Edition

• Buy Gold Edition: $109.99 at Best Buy | $109.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
  
  INCLUDES: 
• Base game
• Pre-order bonus
• Season Pass
• 3 Days Early Access Early Access is no longer available now that the release date has shifted.

Those who want just a little bit more than the base game will be interested in the Gold Edition, which unlocks the Season Pass. Initially, purchasing this edition also gave players three days early access to Assassin's Creed Shadows, however, early access has now been removed with the delayed release date. According to Ubisoft, the Season Pass provides a bonus quest for players to access on day one as well as access to two expansions that will be coming to the game down the road. 

The Assassin's Creed Gold Edition sells for $109.99 and is available for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition

• Buy Ultimate Edition: $129.99 at Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, PS5)
  
  INCLUDES
• Base game
• Pre-order bonus
• Season Pass
• 3 Days Early Access Early Access is no longer available now that the release date has shifted.
• Ultimate Pack
  • The Sekiryu Character Pack including gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke, the Sekiryu Beast, and Dragon Tooth trinket.
  • The Sekiryu Hideout Pack including four unique ornaments to customize the hideout for your shinobi league.
  • Five skill points.
  • The Red Dragon filter in Photo mode.

The main difference between Gold Edition and Ultimate Edition is that the latter grants access to the Ultimate Pack, which gives players gear, a photo mode filter, and a leg up at the start of the game thanks to five skill points. It's the perfect buy for people who like to hit the ground running while playing RPGs. 

Ultimate Edition sells for $129.99 and is available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Collector's Edition

• Buy Collector's Edition: $279.99 at GameStop (Xbox) | $279.99 at GameStop (PS5)
  
  INCLUDES:
• Base game
• Pre-order bonus
• Season Pass
• 3 Days Early Access Early Access is no longer available now that the release date has shifted.
• Ultimate pack
  • The Sekiryu Character Pack including gear and weapon sets for both Naoe and Yasuke, the Sekiryu Beast, and Dragon Tooth trinket.
  • The Sekiryu Hideout Pack including four unique ornaments to customize the hideout for your shinobi league.
  • Five skill points.
  • The Red Dragon filter in Photo mode.
• Diorama figurine with dual protagonists
• Hardcover artbook
• Shinobi's metal tsuba replica with stand
• Silk creed kakemono roll
• Set of 3 sumi-e lithographs

Ah, yes. The Collector's Edition. This purchase allows the biggest Assassin's Creed fans to show off their love of the series. From a goodies standpoint, this purchase gives you the Ultimate Edition plus several physical extras including a figurine depicting the game's two lead characters. As someone who loves concept art, it's great to see that there's also a hardcover artbook, a silk roll, and three lithographs. 

The Assassin's Creed Collector's Edition sells for $279.99 and is currently only available for Xbox Series X|S and PS5 at GameStop. 

Shadows is gearing up to be one of the best Assassin's Creed games yet

I've been a fan of Assassin's Creed for a while now, but I definitely lost interest in the series after Odyssey. Valhalla looked too long and repetitive and Mirage was fun (as seen in my Assassin's Creed Mirage review), but didn't really offer anything new to spark my interest. However, Assassin's Creed Shadows has managed to reignite the fire inside of me thanks to its dual protagonists and historic setting in 1500s - 1600s Japan. 

I love the idea of having two separate people with completely different fighting styles as the lead characters. Controlling them at different points in the story is sure to add variety, not to mention challenges, to each quest. While I would love to get the figurine and artwork provided in the Collector's Edition, I think I'll be settling for the Gold Edition. It gives me access to all of the quests I want to experience and isn't too costly on my hungry wallet.

Assassin's Creed Shadows looks like it might be one of the best PC games of 2024, as well as one of the best Xbox games of all time. It's slated to launch on the Ubisoft (PC, Xbox, and PS5), Xbox store, and PlayStation Store on Feb 14, 2025. Preorder now and snag your copy of the game. 

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Shadows is the next big game in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. 
• Previously known as Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows takes players to feudal Japan, with samurai and ninja warfare wreaking havoc. 
• There are two protagonists, with both the historical figure Yasuke and the ninja Naoe being available to play as.
• Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to launch on Nov. 15, 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. 

One iconic franchise is, at long last, fulfilling some big player wishes. 

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the next big entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed series. Players have asked for years for a game set in Japan, and it's finally happening this year. Previously revealed as Codename Red, Assassin's Creed Shadows gives players two different protagonists to play as, with a mysterious ninja named Naoe Fujibayashi, as well as the historic African samurai, Yasuke. 

You can check out the full cinematic trailer below:

As one of the retainers in service to lord Oda Nobunaga, Yasuke has been trained as a samurai, using powerful weapons and armor to carve his way through numerically superior foes. Meanwhile, Naoe Fujibayashi is a trained ninja Assassin, using stealth and weapons like shuriken or the Hidden Blade to dispatch her targets.

Per the official reveal page for the game, Assassin's Creed Shadows features dynamic environments, with new challenges cropping up for players to deal with based on weather and changing seasons.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is slated to launch on Nov. 15, 2024, with early access for anyone preordering the Gold or Ultimate editions of the game. Preorders are currently going live across various platforms like Xbox and the Ubisoft storefront.

Analysis: Interesting, but let's see more

Assassin's Creed always has amazing cinematic trailers, and I really expected no less here. I'm definitely interested in Assassin's Creed Shadows, but I do want to see and learn more. 

As much fun as I've had with these games, many of them can be, bluntly, bloated. I like Assassin's Creed Valhalla more than many of my friends, but that game would genuinely have been much better if it was half the size. I'm not expecting this to be anywhere near as small as last year's throwback title Assassin's Creed Mirage, but maybe it can still show some sign of restraint. 

The witchcraft-themed Codename Hexe (which was revealed alongside Code Red at the same 2022 event) remains the most intriguing thing to me about the Assassin's Creed lineup, but I know that's still years away, so I'm happy to wait.

Going for Yasuke as one of the protagonists is also really intriguing. Assassin's Creed is no stranger to including historical figures as characters in the games, but the series has usually shied away from making them playable. I'm assuming there's a key reason for this shift in tone and approach? Regardless, I'm eager to learn more.

What you need to know

• Ubisoft has proclaimed on X that Assassin's Creed Shadows, the next mainline entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise, is set to be officially unveiled on May 15, 2024.
• The only confirmed detail regarding Assassin's Creed Shadows so far is that this title will be set in Feudal-era Japan.
• Assassin's Creed is a stealth-action franchise following the adventures of the Order of Assassins throughout history as they fight to protect humanity's freedom from the oppressive Knights Templar organization.

Ubisoft recently announced that it will show the world's first cinematic trailer for Assassin's Creed Shadows, the next major entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise, on its official YouTube channel on May 15, 2024.

All known information regarding Assassin's Creed Shadows is that it was initially titled Assassin's Creed, Codename RED, and will be set in Feudal Japan.

Also, according to a press release by Ubisoft, they will host a challenge event on their social media channels for players to partake in. From today until May 15, participants will be tasked with completing an Hourglass puzzle, and anybody who completes it will be rewarded with a mysterious prize.

What new stealthy assassinations awaits us in Assassin's Creed Shadows?

When the official reveal happens, it will have been seven months since the last entry in the Assassin's Creed series, Assassin's Creed Mirage, released for consoles and PCs. Our own Rebecca Spear reviewed Assassin's Creed Mirage and was pleasantly to see this title bring the franchise back to its stealth-action roots after the series focused heavily on open-world action-adventure titles for many years like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Assassin's Creed Origins.

Will Assassin's Creed Shadows maintain the stealth-action gameplay that Assassin's Creed Mirage brought back to foray, or will it be another open-world action-adventure title? We will have to tune into Ubisoft's YouTube channel this Wednesday to find out when Ubisoft unveils the next chapter of the Assassin's Creed franchise on May 15, 2024.

There aren't many franchises that can take you through countless moments in history, seeing iconic places around the world and historical figures. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed series is one of the few that can, and with a new entry in the storied saga now available, it's a great time to grab some discounted games you might have missed. 

That's especially true considering it's Amazon Prime Day-er, excuse me, Amazon Big Deals day, so we have no way of knowing when copies will run out due to this many people buying online right now. The big game that you really should grab is Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which is on sale for almost half its usual price. That's dozens upon dozens of hours of gameplay for well below the price of a new game. 

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is also the game in this list that is by far the most likely to go back up in price before long, so don't hesitate and buy it quickly. Set before the original Assassin's Creed, Valhalla tells the tale of Eivor, a Viking who has a huge role to play in the wars against Saxon-held England and much, much more. 

If you're looking for a different kind of Assassin's Creed vibe, Odyssey and Origins are well below $25 right now. These games are set in Ancient Greece and Egypt, respectively, and together they tell the story of how the Assassins were founded, as well as the mysterious Order of the Ancients. 

This is a great time to get caught up on the history of Assassin's Creed, since Assassin's Creed Mirage is now available. This game is much smaller compared to the three huge titles listed above, as Mirage removes a lot of the RPG elements and hearkens back to the original experience. 

In our review of Assassin's Creed Mirage, staff writer Rebecca Spear wrote that "If you're new to Assassin's Creed or are already a fan of the series, you should check this game out as it provides a satisfying experience, even if it's similar to the games that came before it. It just manages to do this without stretching on for too long."

By contrast, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Odyssey, and Origins can all take a very long time to complete, especially if you're intent on doing every piece of side content the games have to offer. When it comes to getting enough bang for your buck, you're not going to see much better deals than this. 

Assassin's Creed is one of the most well-known franchises in gaming at this point. With the release of its latest installment, Assassin's Creed Mirage, there are 13 main games total that have been released since 2007. In its history, the Assassin's Creed series has seen some significant ups as well as major downs, with many fans arguing that the latest games have gotten too large and deviated too much from the original titles. As such, developer Ubisoft Bordeaux has sought to rediscover Assassin's Creed's roots by reducing the estimated playtime in Mirage to 20 to 30 hours and making this game more aligned with the originals.

The effort has been well implemented, but Mirage doesn't bring anything new to the table either. Plus, being a prequel to Assassin's Creed Valhalla shoehorns the story and keeps it from really soaring. Still, it's an Assassin's Creed game, which means that gameplay and mechanics are familiar and fun in the way the series has always been. 

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by a review code provided by Ubisoft. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

AC Mirage: Story and characters

If you've already played Valhalla, then you should be acquainted with Mirage's main hero, Basim ibn Is'haq. He is a prominent character in the Viking game who introduced protagonist Eivor to The Hidden Ones (the group that would come to be known as the Assassins in later eras). It's important to note that Mirage is a prequel to Valhalla, taking place in 861 CE between Bayek of Siwa's Assassin's Creed Origins (49 BCE) and Eivor Varinsdottir's Assassins' Creed Valhalla (872 CE). You don't necessarily need to have played Valhalla to enjoy Mirage, but certain things that get alluded to as the story unfolds will definitely make more sense if you have. 

Within Mirage, we experience Basim's origin story as a young street thief in 9th-century Baghdad who is tormented by a Jinni in his frequent nightmares. With the help of his best friend, a woman named Nehal, Basim works to prove himself to the Hidden Ones who move about in his city. But in his efforts to do so, Basim gets tangled up with the horrible doings of The Order of the Ancients (The Order). Shortly thereafter, he becomes a Hidden One and works to rid the world of The Order's oppressive leaders while learning more about himself and his beliefs. It's a good premise, but the game doesn't always carry it out very well. 

Anyone who has played an Assassin's Creed game knows that the plots can get rather complex and confusing regarding how these fictional historical protagonists tie into the current-day conflicts between the Assassins and the Knights Templar. However, unlike many other Assassin's Creed games, Mirage has no modern-day aspect as players spend the entirety of the game in the ancient world. I prefer this as there is no jarring timeshift, and I can focus on the story and characters that I actually care about. But this doesn't mean that Mirage's characters or plot are perfect. 

Among the many characters players meet in Mirage, some of the most important are the various members of The Hidden Ones that Basim comes to know at Alamut, the stronghold from Assassin's Creed lore. This includes Roshan, Basim's tough master. Additionally, players also get to meet the historical figure, Ali ibn Muhammad, whom Basim works with on several occasions while igniting a revolt. However, for the most part, Basim's relationships feel strained and distanced to the point of making it hard for me to care about them. Now, Basim is intended to be a conflicted character, but the way the game shows it sometimes makes him seem annoying rather than relatable. This might be the intended point, but it's still odd to play.

More often than not, his strained relationships stem from Basim's inability to own up to his own mistakes combined with his relentless need to hypocritically point out his moral superiority to his companions, such as chiding someone for killing another person or claiming to an outsider that The Hidden Ones don't do anything to harm the innocent. But his statements always ring hollow, considering he frequently does activities that make him no better than his adversaries, pickpocketing random civilians in the streets or killing people who get in his way.

Even if you're trying to play a more respectable Basim, the main missions will require you to do these things at some point. I don't have anything against these in-game actions; it just feels weird that the game seems unaware of itself and makes you feel bad for playing the way it intends you to. 

It took me a little under 20 hours to see credits roll in Mirage, but if I worked on completing all side quests and collecting all the extra items, I'm sure I could get another five to 10 hours out of it. This is far more contained and manageable than Valhalla's 60-hour playthrough, which I appreciate. Plus, it prevents the game from getting too repetitive. 

There are five Members in The Order that you must unmask and then assassinate. In order to learn these people's identities, you'll need to eavesdrop on civilians, search for clues around the city, and complete various quests. Once enough is known about a Member, you can work on taking them out, which usually involves infiltrating a secure area filled with guards. Once the assassination has been done, you'll need to flee the area and melt back into the city before moving on to the next Member. 

Usually, the game is pretty straightforward in letting you know what missions are available next, but there were a few times when I wandered around, unsure of what to do until a new clue was discovered. This approach makes the game feel a bit more natural exploration-wise but also feels undirected when so much of the game centers around following waypoints and looking at the compass. 

Something I've liked about past Assassin's Creed games is that they gave me reasons to dislike my adversaries, so I felt good about defeating them. However, Mirage often doesn't provide enough context surrounding Members of The Order to make their assassinations feel justified. Sometimes, it is only in the quick rehash right before an assassination that I learn why I am taking them out rather than having picked up on it during the natural course of leadup missions. There was even one Member I related with and felt Basim was in the wrong for killing. 

Moreover, as is usually the case with prequels, Mirage's plot is shoehorned into fitting into the sequel, Valhalla. I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but I will say that the need to fit into Valhalla does make the ending to Basim's tale feel forced and contrived.

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AC Mirage: Visuals and performance

Overall, Mirage looks gorgeous with its intricate city designs and polished textures. At the start of the game, players are shown a settings menu and can choose between having the game focus on High Framerate or Quality visuals. This choice will help determine exactly how the game looks and performs on Xbox. If you change this setting, though, you'll need to allow the game to restart before continuing. As expected, the game runs very smoothly when focusing on keeping near 60 FPS, but some of the visual details aren't quite as polished. I spent most of my playthrough focusing on High Framerate, but this didn't prevent me from encountering several visual and performance issues. 

Before diving into specific bugs, I will caveat this next section by saying that Ubisoft has officially stated that it is "still focused on fixing last known issues to provide the most qualitative experience possible" in Mirage. As such, some patches and improvements could fix the things I discussed here by launch or shortly thereafter. 

During my playthrough, characters' voices were always notably off from their mouth movements regardless of how many times I restarted the game or my Xbox Series X. As you can imagine, this was a somewhat offputting thing to see for my entire playthrough. Hopefully, a fix is in one of the first released patches. 

Additionally, at three separate points, I encountered bugs that were so bad that they caused the game to crash. For instance, there was a stretch when the game thought my health was at 100% when it was really around 50%, and I could not eat food or take elixirs to heal up. After running around like this for a few minutes, the game suddenly froze and shut down. 

In another instance, enemies relentlessly followed me and wouldn't stop looking for me even when I was hidden. This prevented me from moving on to the next part of the game, which required that I be anonymous in order to interact with a critical location. Once again, the game eventually crashed. The good news here, though, is that each time the game crashed, I was brought to precisely where I had been when I booted the game back up, so there wasn't a ton I had to replay. 

Aside from those instances, the game worked well without stuttering or awkward rendering. I found myself frequently drawn in by the splendor of the game, opening Photo mode to capture beautiful pictures of the desert and ancient Baghdad.

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AC Mirage: Gameplay and content

The best thing I can say about Mirage gameplay is also the worst thing I can say about it — it plays exactly like an Assassin's Creed game. There aren't any new mechanics, so gameplay and controls feel familiar and somewhat tired. As such, get ready for a decent number of fetch, stealth, pickpocketing, and assassination quests, all performed with the same repetitive mechanics. There are also plenty of follow quests, which I dread more than others because they require you to travel with a frustratingly slow NPC as they wander through a busy street or across a desert while taking far longer than you would on your own. It all feels like a rehash of the same base mechanics we've experienced in Assassin's Creed games for several years. 

As I previously stated, one point of Mirage has been to bring Assassin's Creed back to its roots, so this likely has to do with the lack of innovation. That all being said, there's something satisfying about these mechanics, which is why they have stuck around for so many years. It just would have been nicer if they had had more of an updated flare. So, if you like how previous Assassin's Creed games have played, you'll likely enjoy Mirage.

Speaking of mechanics, climbing around the ancient city of Baghdad proved once more to be equal parts liberating and frustrating. When the mechanics work right, climbing up a tall tower or jumping off of a building feels great. However, it's also very easy to aim for one object to mantle up and find yourself awkwardly clambering around something else entirely. 

For example, in a busy marketplace, I attempted to climb on top of a stall but ended up latching onto a pile of furs instead and couldn't move up because the tarp overhead prevented me from doing so. Climbing mechanics can also prove frustrating when running away from attacking enemies. I might attempt to make Basim climb up a wall, only for him to jump and get stuck on a nearby railing instead while enemies surround and hit him. 

On the subject of enemies, just as with other Assassin's Creed games, Basim can become more powerful depending on what gear he has equipped and what Skills are unlocked in the Skill Tree. This provides a sense of progression as time goes on that makes me feel powerful as I jump through the city and become more adept at carrying out my missions. 

There are merchants all around ancient Baghdad, but to unlock new weapons and outfits, players must locate special glowing chests within buildings and figure out how to get to them. This usually proves to be a fun puzzle to solve that requires some thinking. Once obtained, players can upgrade gear via merchants if they have the proper materials to do so. Discovering outfits or gear alluding to previous Assassin's Creed games always proved to be a fun reward. I gotta say, running around in Bayek's iconic clothing from Origins made me smile and also made me want to replay the older game. 

Mirage's combat is very satisfying if done correctly. Players can unleash a quick attack, let loose a charged attack, counter an attack, or dodge. You need to watch your enemy closely and determine what action makes sense based on the queues your opponent gives you. Using stealth maneuvers lets you sneak up on an enemy and quietly assassinate them without fuss. Plus, if you unlock all of the tools at Basim's disposal, you can hurl traps, put people to sleep with blowdarts, distract enemies with noise makers, disguise yourself with smoke bombs, or throw knives at distant enemies. Plus, you can upgrade these tools as time passes, which all work together to make you a far more efficient assassin.

As I've said before, it really isn't all that different from the gameplay of past Assassin's Creed games. Still, these familiar stealth mechanics, combat options, equipable items, unlockable skills, and a range of tools all work together to provide a satisfying experience that kept me engaged until the end. 

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AC Mirage: Accessibility

Mirage does a fair bit in accessibility, but it definitely could do more. As it is, there are colorblind modes for Tritanopia, Deuteranopia, and Protanopia to help players see visual elements better. Xbox players can also remap Xbox controller buttons or play with a mouse and keyboard to get the desired controls they want out of the game. Text options are also very large, making captions, subtitles, or menu options easier to read.

Regarding approachability, Mirage can be played in Easy, Normal, or Hard mode, and players can swap between these modes at any time from within the Options menu. The ability to turn on Aim Assist, turn off Screen Shake, or guarantee pickpocketing is also available to make the game more enjoyable to a broader audience. 

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AC Mirage: Should you play it?

You should play this if ...

You should not play this if ...

It only took me roughly 20 hours to beat Mirage, but I could have spent a few more if I went back and tried to 100% it. I really do love that it isn't nearly as long as Valhalla, with a more compact story that doesn't stretch on with too many redundant sidequests. The city of ancient Baghdad is an exciting and vibrant place to explore, which makes it fun to climb around on walls and towers when completing my objectives. Plus, figuring out how to infiltrate buildings to find gear or complete missions provides a fun puzzle each time. 

If you're new to Assassin's Creed or are already a fan of the series, you should check this game out as it provides a satisfying experience, even if it's similar to the games that came before it. It just manages to do this without stretching on for too long. 

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What you need to know

• Ubisoft's latest financial results detail the company's full fiscal year 2022-23. 
• The company took an operating loss of €500 million for the year, compared to a profit in made in the prior fiscal year.
• Looking ahead, Ubisoft plans to launch eight games before April 2024, including Assassin's Creed Mirage and an unannounced title.
• Ubisoft is heavily investing in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and will be increasing the number of developers working on the series by 40%.

Ubisoft's latest results indicate a turbulant past year, with the publisher pushing ahead to release numerous games in the near future. 

Ubisoft's full FY22-23 year-end results are here, with the company taking an operating loss of €500 million ($543 million) for the year, a stark contrast to its €408 million operating profit in the prior year. 

Looking ahead, Ubisoft is bullish on its game launches, with plans to release eight games before April 2023, including Assassin's Creed Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Rainbow Six Mobile, Skull and Bones, The Crew Motorfest, The Division: Resurgence, XDefiant, and one more "large" game. 

Some of these games have been delayed for months or event years, with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora previously slated to launch in the prior fiscal year, while Skull and Bones has infamously been delayed time and time again.

Ubisoft also confirmed plans to heavily invest in the Assassin's Creed franchise. Over 2000 (or over 10%) of Ubisoft's employees are currently working on Assassin's Creed, and Ubisoft intends to grow that number by another 40%. 

Currently, Ubisoft is working on numerous Assassin's Creed games, including two mainline titles, a platform for the future called Assassin's Creed Infinity, and more. 

Windows Central's take

While there have been occasional bright spots, there's no denying Ubisoft has had a rough year, with multiple major games being delayed. Things should go better this year, as long as the game quality is present. I'm very curious about what this unannounced major game is, though I assume that of the eight titles currently planned for the next fiscal year, it's the most likely game to be delayed. 

We'll see what happens at the Ubisoft Forward showcase on June 12, 2023.

What you need to know

• Ubisoft is the publisher behind franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Rainbow Six, The Division, and more. 
• For the last couple of years, Ubisoft has released PC games on its own launcher Uplay, as well as the Epic Games Store. 
• Several Ubisoft PC games (including Assassin's Creed Valhalla) are now headed to Steam.

While publisher Ubisoft has stuck to its own PC launcher and the Epic Games Store for the last couple of years, that exclusivity is finally coming to an end. 

Assassin's Creed Valhalla and other Ubisoft PC games are headed to Steam. Some of the other games coming to the platform include Ubisoft's PC-exclusive city building title Anno 1800, as well as the free-to-play multiplayer game Roller Champions. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is now slated to launch on Steam on Dec. 6, 2022. 

This release date coincides with the final story update coming to the Viking RPG. Titled the Last Chapter, this update is adding some new free content that's meant to close out the story of protagonist Eivor. Assassin's Creed Valhalla previously received multiple expansions, with more support than any prior game in the franchise.

This is a major chance for the publisher, which has eschewed Steam in favor of its own Uplay platform and the Epic Games Store since 2019, with Ubisoft's VP of partnerships and revenue at the time referring to Steam's business model as "unrealistic."

For anyone that prefers playing the best PC games through Steam, this news means you'll have some new games to play in the coming month. If you don't have a capable enough PC, it may be time to upgrade your hardware or buy one of the best gaming laptops.

Looking ahead to the future, Ubisoft is planning to launch Assassin's Creed Mirage in 2023, alongside titles such as Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and the oft-delayed pirate game Skull and Bones.

Hello everyone, and welcome to another Xbox and PC recap. For the month of September, we had a fair bit of news across the world of gaming, with Ubisoft announcing multiple Assassin's Creed titles to establish a roadmap for the future. Microsoft is continuing to work on acquiring Activision Blizzard, and huge chunks of extremely early work on the next Grand Theft Auto game leaked.

There's a lot to dive into here, so if you missed any big chunks of news across the last month, don't worry, we've got you covered. 

Assassin's Creed series blowout for the future

At a special Ubisoft Forward event, the publisher shared its plans for the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise, stretching well beyond the next game. In addition to a mobile game being developed with Netflix and a AAA mobile game called Assassin's Creed Codename Jade, there are three mainline Assassin's Creed titles console and PC players can look forward to. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage, which is slated to launch in 2023, is a smaller game that eschews RPG elements for traditional stealth. After that, there's Assassin's Creed Codename Red, the next mainline RPG in the franchise which is being developed by Ubisoft Quebec. Finally, Ubisoft Montreal is working on Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe, a game which tackles the witch trials of the 16th century Holy Roman Empire. Both of these games are a part of Assassin's Creed Infinity, which Ubisoft is building as a platform for the future.

I am very, very tentatively excited for what this means. Mirage seems like a throwback in all the right ways  — an Assassin's Creed I can finish in under 40 hours sounds perfect  — while Codename Red will appeal to everyone that has been begging for a game set in Japan since forever. Personally though, the one that has most of my attention is the one that's several years out, Codename Hexe. The idea of setting a game during the witch trials while also making it something new for the franchise is extremely appealing.

Microsoft and Sony continue to clash over Activision Blizzard

Microsoft is working to acquire Activision Blizzard, and as part of that, the company has offered Sony a deal for three more years of Call of Duty beyond the existing agreements. That's according to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, who deemed the offer "inadequate," adding that PlayStation gamers deserve the "highest quality" experience with the franchise. All of this comes as the deal is undergoing regulatory scrutiny, including with the European Commission. 

I completely understand that Jim Ryan, like Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, has to play the cards he's dealt. Part of that is saying whatever he can in order to get the best terms possible. Still, it's certainly odd that PlayStation is choosing this as the route to attack the deal. I'm not a lawyer, but I don't see hammering home "they could take it away" as the best position for a company to take when its entire brand image is built around exclusivity. I do appreciate corporate drama though, it's my weakness.

Early gameplay footage of Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks

This month also saw one of the worst leaks in gaming history. Rockstar Games was hacked, resulting in 90 videos showing pre-alpha animations and gameplay from GTA 6 being leaked onto the internet. The leaked footage, despite the early state, showed detailed animations and confirmed the presence of a Latina protagonist, which had previously been reported.

Rockstar Games eventually responded, noting that the leak would not affect the development of the game, while noting that the team was disappointed to have early details leaked in such a way. 

I'm personally against leaking games without good reason, and that goes triple for details like this. It's been nice to see developers and others coming to the support of Rockstar Games for this, but I can't imagine what it's like to have years of hard work shared in such an early, non-final state like that against your will. 

Microsoft introduces a "Core" Elite controller, Design Lab support coming this holiday

If you've found yourself wanting a new Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, but simply don't want to pay quite that much, then you've got some new options to consider. Microsoft has introduced the new Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 - Core in White model, which is themed after an Xbox Series S and available at $130. 

It doesn't come with any of the extra thumbsticks or accessories, which are also now available for purchase separately. On top of this, Microsoft also shared that Xbox Elite controllers will be getting Xbox Design Lab support sometime this holiday, allowing players to customize the colors to make something unique.

While I'm already set on controllers personally, this are great options that make sense for catering to everyone's needs, especially with how popular the Series 2 controllers are.

Cyberpunk 2077 sees a resurgence

Cyberpunk 2077 is marking something of a comeback over the last few weeks. The launch of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an anime by Studio Trigger that's available on Netflix, has seen interest rise in the game, which received Xbox Series X|S and PS5 support earlier in the year. Cyberpunk 2077 has recently reached 20 million copies sold, with over 1 million players per day on PC.

To coincide with this, CD Projekt RED shared the news that an expansion called Phantom Liberty is currently in development, and is slated to launch exclusively on current-generation hardware at some point in 2023.

While I'm very happy to see the developers' hard work in improving the game rewarded, my happiness is somewhat tinted by caution. I think we need to be very careful about forgetting the actual state of the game at launch and how bad it was. I'm looking forward to Phantom Liberty as well as the next Witcher game, but CD Projekt RED can't pretend these issues were minor, or were never here at all.

Two new Marvel games are on the way

Not one but two new Marvel games were revealed this month. First up, we learned that Amy Hennig and Skydance New Media's new Marvel game is set during World War 2, and stars Captain America and Black Panther. 

The second game to be revealed is a new Iron Man game being developed by Motive Studio, the same team under Electronic Arts that's also handling the Dead Space remake. While we don't know much right now, the team is building a single-player title, and is being led by one of the members of the team that worked on Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Obviously, it's going to be a while until we learn more, but this is potentially great news. I'm more interested in the Iron Man game right now, especially if the team at Motive can somehow leverage the flying tech that BioWare worked on for Anthem (rest in peace).

Deathloop makes its way to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass

During the last month, Deathloop was announced for and released on Xbox consoles, while also being added to Xbox Game Pass. This immersive sim with roguelike elements from Arkane Lyon was critically acclaimed when it first launched as a timed PS5 console exclusive back in September 2021, and is now available across Xbox consoles with a suite of updates, including the new "Goldenloop" update that adds a new laser weapon, an expanded ending, a new enemy, and more. 

I absolutely loved this game when it first launched, and I even reviewed the PS5 version of Deathloop, saying at the time that it was a "...well-crafted, intelligent murder puzzle worth solving, regardless of your experience with immersive sims or roguelikes."

That's only more true now with the updated version available on Xbox, so I hope to see more people jump in and try it out. 

Stadia is shutting down entirely

A year and a half after Google first shut down its first-party wing of game development, Stadia Games and Entertainment, Google shared the news that Stadia services are entirely ceasing, with a planned shutdown date of Jan. 18, 2023. Google is taking the step of refunding all game purchases, as well as any hardware purchased through the Google store.

While it can be disappointing to see this happen, the reality is that it's just not surprising. The moment Google killed its internal game development, it was doomed to fail. That's not to say it absolutely would've found success even with exclusive games, but you have to actually ship some first-party titles in order for people to consider your platform! Instead, in typical Google faction, the company killed it off after realizing the kinds of resources it would take to actually invest in an ecosystem.

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight gets a release date

If you're looking forward to World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the next big expansion for Blizzard Entertainment's long-running MMORPG, you're in luck! World of Warcraft: Dragonflight now has a release date of Nov. 28, 2022, meaning it'll launch just before the holidays. 

While I'm not a massive World of Warcraft fan (that honor has to go to our editor Jez Corden) I'm very curious about how well this launch will be received and if it'll address some of the criticisms the community has had over the last couple of years.

October bears down on us

With September in the rearview, the drought in high-profile releases is officially over. Several big games are launching in October, and I'm struggling to find how I'm going to play them all. In particular, I'm looking forward to A Plague Tale: Requiem, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and over on my Nintendo Switch, Bayonetta 3. If you missed out on last month's roundup, be sure to check out the Xbox and PC recap for August 2022. 

Outside of games, I'm really enjoying both House of the Dragon and Rings of Power right now. By all accounts, it seems like I need to somehow fit Cyberpunk: Edgerunners in as well. Until next time,

— Samuel Tolbert

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Mirage is the next game in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise. 
• Shortly after the game was announced, fans noticed that the game had an Adults Only rating on the Xbox storefront, as well as in one of Ubisoft's livestreams. 
• The game description mentioned "Real Gambling" in addition to the usual disclaimers of violence, harsh language and nudity. 
• Ubisoft says this rating and the description of gambling are a mistake that is being fixed.

One of Ubisoft's many recent Assassin's Creed announcements was quickly found to have a controversial attachment, something that the French publisher is now addressing. 

Fans of Assassin's Creed noted that the Xbox store page for Assassin's Creed Mirage claimed the game had an Adults Only (AO) rating, with the description of the game claiming it featured "Real Gambling" alongside the standard content you'd find in many M-rated games like violence, profanity, and sexual content. The AO logo was also seen on the livestream for the game.

Now, Ubisoft is claiming this was an error. In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, Ubisoft explained that "Following the announcement of Assassin's Creed Mirage during Ubisoft Forward, some store pages mistakenly displayed the game for preorders with an Adults Only ESRB rating and are being fixed."

"While Assassin's Creed Mirage is still pending rating, Ubisoft wants to reassure players that no real gambling or lootboxes are present in the game," Ubisoft added.

AO, while technically being the highest rating that can be assigned to a game by the ESRB, is rarely used, as Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all refuse to host AO-rated games. While allowed on Steam, AO games are hidden by default, with only a tiny handful of titles receiving the rating in the past several years. 

Assassin's Creed Mirage is being billed as a return to the classic gameplay formula by Ubisoft, as the game is far smaller than the RPG-like titles such as Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. The game stars Basim, a character introduced in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and is slated for launch at some point in 2023.

In addition to Assassin's Creed Mirage, Ubisoft also recently detailed the future of the franchise, sharing that the next big games in development are Assassin's Creed Codename Red and Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe, which take place in feudal Japan and the Holy Roman Empire during the witch trials, respectively. Both titles will be part of Assassin's Creed Infinity, Ubisoft's live-service platform being built for the series.

Over a decade after the first Assassin's Creed graced consoles and PC, Ubisoft is set to put it through its largest transformation yet. The popular action/adventure series turned RPG will become a live service game with Assassin's Creed Infinity, an experience that will grow and evolve alongside the players. Details are scarce at the moment as the company only recently confirmed its existence. 

A Bloomberg report indicates that Assassin's Creed Infinity is inspired by "living online platforms" such as Fortnite and GTA Online. Could it be one of the best Xbox games to ever release? Ubisoft is certainly hoping so, but it has a lot to prove to win over fans.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: What is it?

Assassin's Creed Infinity is a collaborative effort between multiple Ubisoft studios across Quebec and Montreal that is expected to shake up the Assassin's Creed formula in a big way. 

Instead of "continuing to pass the baton from game to game" as Ubisoft put it in its official announcement, Infinity will be able to "evolve in a more integrated and collaborative manner that's less centered on studios and more focused on talent and leadership." Assassin's Creed Infinity is only its codename for now, and Bloomberg reports that the game will be live service.

The idea is that Assassin's Creed Infinity can serve as a launcher, where players can access new games as memories through an Animus-like interface.

Over on Twitter, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier said that "it may be some sort of hub that allows people to play multiple AC games both big and small," but he also noted that things could change and details are in flux. Whatever the case, it appears that Assassin's Creed Infinity is planned to have multiple settings.

This seems to be holding true with Ubisoft's latest announcements, as the games known as Assassin's Creed Codename Red and Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe will both be a part of Assassin's Creed Infinity. 

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Multiplayer

It's unclear whether Assassin's Creed Infinity will be an MMO, but it will have multiplayer of some kind. Before there was a lot of information, we reasoned that because it appeared to be a massive online platform, it would make sense that it has multiplayer of some kind, but that Ubisoft may just keep it single-player and allow players to explore its evolving world solo.

Ubisoft confirmed that it is working on a multiplayer experience referred to as "Invictus," which will be a standalone dedicated multiplayer addition to Assassin's Creed Infinity. Ubisoft has also mentioned that Invictus may be free-to-play, though that could change as development continues.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Codename Red

Assassin's Creed Codename Red is the first planned premium game that will be part of Assassin's Creed Infinity. After many years of requesting it, fans will finally be able to visit feudal Japan. The brief teaser shows a ninja with a katana and Hidden Blade. Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be an open-world RPG, in the same vein as Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla before it. 

Development of Assassin's Creed Codename Red is being led by Ubisoft Quebec, the same studio that previously led development on Assassin's Creed Syndicate and Assassin's Creed Odyssey, in addition to aiding in the development of the series as a whole starting with Assassin's Creed Revelations.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Codename Hexe

Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe is the premium game that will be coming after Codename Red. While little is known, the teaser trailer seems to confirm reports that the game is set in the 16th century Holy Roman Empire during the witch trials. 

Development is being led by Ubisoft Montreal, which has led development on the majority of games in the Assassin's Creed franchise starting with the original title in 2007.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Is it free-to-play?

We don't know whether it will be free-to-play or not. Assassin's Creed titles generally cost $60, but Infinity being a live service game may change that if Ubisoft decides to subsidize its development and maintenance with microtransactions. 

Ubisoft has noted that Infinity will see numerous different projects added, which will range in size and scope. Some of these will be free, while others will be paid, premium additions. Among the paid additions, there could be a range of prices as the games themselves will vary in size, with Ubisoft noting that additional smaller games in the style of Assassin's Creed Mirage could also be added.

Seeing as the project is still years away, any plans that Ubisoft has right now may change.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Setting

Assassin's Creed Infinity will apparently include multiple settings, allowing players to explore different locations and time periods in a single game. What we don't know are the exact locations or time periods it's set to take place. The series has taken us all the way back to ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, and it's gone as far forward as the Industrial Revolution in London, not accounting for its modern day narrative. Aside from historical locations, we've also been to Atlantis and the mythical realms of Asgard and Jotunheim.

The franchise's long-running tagline is "history is our playground," so there's no telling where Ubisoft could take us next. We could conceivably go anywhere. Highly requested locations have been places like ancient Japan and China, which are now being seen with the announcements of Assassin's Creed Codename Red and Assassin's Creed Codename Jade, though the latter is a mobile game that won't be a part of Assassin's Creed Infinity. Meanwhile, Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe will be taking place in the Holy Roman Empire during the witch trials. 

Hopefully, we'll be seeing new locations in Assassin's Creed Infinity instead of rehashes of regions we've already been to.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Gameplay

Again, without actually seeing it in action, we can't say for certain what its gameplay will look like. However, we can speculate that it will likely play similarly to Assassin's Creed Valhalla or other open-world Ubisoft titles. If that's the case, we could see RPG elements like dialogue choices return, but that is purely speculation.

It's also important to note that gameplay may vary between titles, based on the exact games that become a part of Assassin's Creed Infinity. Assassin's Creed Codename Red (which is being developed by Ubisoft Quebec) is going to be another open-world RPG similar to Origins, Odyssey and Valhalla. Meanwhile, Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe could be different, as the game (which is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal) is further off and could be quite distinct. 

Ubisoft notes that Assassin's Creed Infinity is meant to provide different kinds of experiences for the future of the franchise.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Does it tie into the main series?

As with most other questions regarding Assassin's Creed Infinity, we don't know. The main series narrative has been a spiraling mess for several years now after Assassin's Creed 3, and it just seemed to find its footing again between Origins and Valhalla with Layla as the modern-day protagonist.

If you want to try and untangle the mess that is the Assassin's Creed history, we have a handy guide just for you.

Speaking with IGN, Ubisoft seems to be planning for Assassin's Creed Infinity to take the place of the modern day Animus elements. How exactly this will work remains somewhat unclear.

Assassin's Creed Infinity: Release date and platforms

Our sources have indicated that Assassin's Creed Infinity is aiming for a 2024 release, which is in line with what Schreier heard of "2024 or later." Obviously, because of the pandemic and ever-changing plans, nothing is set in stone at the moment. Regardless, you shouldn't expect to see Assassin's Creed Infinity any time soon. It's still at least a few years away.

No platforms have been announced, but given the timeframe it will probably release on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5, and PC. It's also within reason to expect new-gen enhancements like 4K and 60FPS (maybe even 120FPS) considering at that point the Series X and S will have been on the market for four to five years.

What you need to know

• Assassin's Creed Infinity is expected to be a hub platform that will be home to multiple Assassin's Creed games with separate settings.
• Players will be able to access all of the new games directly through Assassin's Creed Infinity.
• Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe and Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be part of Assassin's Creed Infinity.
• Ubisoft did not reveal a planned launch date for Assassin's Creed Infinity, but rumors suggest it is at least a couple of years away. 

Assassin's Creed Infinity has remained a mystery ever since its vague announcement in which Ubisoft said it would "evolve in a more integrated and collaborative manner that's less centered on studios and more focused on talent and leadership." During the company's Ubisoft Forward showcase, we finally learned more about the upcoming title.  

Ubisoft took to the stage to unveil Assassin's Creed Infinity as a hub platform that will allow players to access multiple Assassin's Creed games. As revealed during the showcase, Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe and Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be some of the first new titles in the series to launch into Infinity. 

Codename Hexe seems to take place in Germany during the latter years of the Holy Roman Empire and will focus on the witch trials happening at that time. Codename Red will finally bring players to feudal Japan, a long-awaited setting for the franchise that fans have been asking for almost since the beginning. 

The company hopes for Assassin's Creed Infinity to be the future of the franchise where studios can launch games, both large and small, for players to experience seamlessly. The studio is also looking into multiplayer experiences. 

Because of its ambitious nature, it looks like Assassin's Creed Infinity won't release for at least a couple more years. Players can look forward to Assassin's Creed Mirage in 2023, however, starring Valhalla's Basim during his years as a thief before joining the Hidden Ones.  

What you need to know

• While presenting the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise, Ubisoft revealed Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe. 
• Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe centers around the witch trials occurring during the Holy Roman Empire. 
• Players will be able to access it through Assassin's Creed Infinity, the series' hub platform going forward. 
• Ubisoft did not announce a release date for Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe, but reports indicate that players shouldn't expect it until at least 2024. 

Ubisoft is all-in on the Assassin's Creed franchise. Revealing multiple games during its Ubisoft Forward showcase today, players received their first look at Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe.

Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe, developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio, takes place near the end of the Holy Roman Empire and centers on the witch trials that were occurring during that time. Persecution of witchcraft is said to have taken place largely from the 15th through the 18th centuries around Europe, and with Hexe being the German for witch, we've found out setting. 

This isn't the first time that players have explored the Roman Empire. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood saw players control Ezio in his attempts to take down the Borgias in Rome during the early 1500s. Rumors from years ago pointed toward an ancient trilogy taking place in Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and while the former two became Origins and Odyssey, the latter never came to fruition.  

Ubisoft plans to release Creed Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe in Assassin's Creed Infinity, what the developer hopes to use as a hub platform for the series going forward. A release date was not announced.  

Another title, simply dubbed Assassin's Creed Codename Red, for the time being, will take place in Japan and also release as part of Infinity. 

Ahead of Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe release, Ubisoft plans to launch Assassin's Creed Mirage, a smaller-scope title that emphasizes stealth gameplay like some of the series' earlier games. 

What you need to know 

• Ubisoft revealed Assassin's Creed Codename Red during its showcase today.
• Set in feudal Japan, Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be a part of Assassin's Creed Infinity, the company's live-service hub for future Assassin's Creed games.
• No release date was revealed for Assassin's Creed Codename Red, though according to reports it isn't expected until 2024 at the earliest. 

There's no slowing down the Assassin's Creed announcements. Ubisoft just revealed that the series is finally taking players to feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed Codename Red, something that the community has been asking for well over a decade since the first game released back in 2007. 

Assassin's Creed Codename Red will be part of Assassin's Creed Infinity, which will become a sort of platform or hub for future titles in the series to launch into. Meant to contain multiple settings, Infinity will "evolve in a more integrated and collaborative manner that's less centered on studios and more focused on talent and leadership," according to the developer. 

Over the years the developer has run surveys asking fans which historical settings or locations they'd like to see the most, and feudal Japan has always remained high on the list. Though Sucker Punch released Ghost of Tsushima exclusively for PlayStation, which many have likened to an Assassin's Creed game, Ubisoft looks to set its game apart in its own way. 

Ubisoft did not announce a release date for Assassin's Creed Codename Red, though it's not expected to release until 2024 at the earliest judging from a Bloomberg report. 

Before players have a chance to jump into Assassin's Creed Codename Red, Ubisoft will release Assassin's Creed Mirage in 2023. This title reportedly started as an expansion to Valhalla before being spun off into its own game. 

During the publisher's Ubisoft Forward showcase, it also revealed Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe, another title releasing into Assassin's Creed Infinity, this time centering around the witch trials of the Holy Roman Empire. 

What you need to know

• Ubisoft has officially revealed Assassin's Creed Mirage, the next entry in the franchise. 
• Assassin's Creed Mirage was originally reported with the codename "Rift," with the focus of the game being a smaller, stealth-based title in line with the original games in the series. 
• Ubisoft will be showing more of Assassin's Creed Mirage at Ubisoft Forward on Sep. 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET.

While rumors and reports have circled for some time regarding the next entry in the long-running Assassin's Creed franchise, players won't be waiting long to learn more. 

Ubisoft officially revealed Assassin's Creed Mirage on Thursday, a game that was previously reported as being codenamed "Rift." The game's focus was reportedly on returning to the roots of the series, when Assassin's Creed games had simpler mechanics with a heavy emphasis on stealth instead of role-playing game systems. 

Ubisoft will be showing more of Assassin's Creed Mirage at a Ubisoft Forward showcase on Sep. 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET. This showcase is meant to focus on the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise as a whole. 

Ubisoft recently delayed Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and one (at the time) unannounced game out of 2022. While nothing has been confirmed, it seems likely that this then-unannounced game was Assassin's Creed Mirage. If that's the case, the game is now expected to launch at some point in 2023.

Outside of Assassin's Creed Mirage, Ubisoft is also currently working on Assassin's Creed Infinity, a platform for Assassin's Creed titles that is still early on in development compared to other games. 

The previous title in the series, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, was a massive success for Ubisoft, and as a result received more post-launch support than any other Assassin's Creed title. One final expansion is currently planned for the Viking-themed title, which will likely be revealed during Ubisoft Forward.

What you need to know

• Ubisoft is planning on shutting down the online servers for 15 of its classic games on Sept. 1, 2022.
• This includes the multiplayer modes for fan-favorite Assassin's Creed games like Brotherhood, Revelations, and III.
• Fans of these games are responding by planning gaming sessions as a final "farewell" to those AC online modes.
• Interested players will be able to participate in gaming sessions for all three games, spread out over six weekends.

The long-running Assassin's Creed franchise isn't exactly known for its online multiplayer, which has been present in a handful of titles across the entire series, but it's still beloved by many players. On Sept. 1, 2022, however, Ubisoft is planning to permanently shut down the online services for 15 of its classic games, including several Assassin's Creed titles.

AC fans aren't intending to let the online services die without a sound, as Redditors are planning a series of final multiplayer game sessions across three of the Assassin's Creed games affected by the shutdown. Fans of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Revelations, and III will be able to join like-minded players in online multiplayer shenanigans across six weekends and multiple time zones, for a total of 36 planned sessions.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is first, with sessions planned at the end of July. Revelations is occupying the first two weekends of August, while Assassin's Creed III closes out the fan-powered festival at the end of August. It's recommended to play on PC, but Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 players are welcome to try to join as well. It's not clear exactly how many players will actually participate in these farewell sessions, but the shutdown of classic Halo servers on Xbox 360 resulted in many players returning to the aging titles during their final moments.

Online servers for older games being closed is nothing new, and is a common practice for companies looking to save resources and focus on other, newer projects. Still, it's always sad to see a piece of gaming history become unavailable to players, and this is no exception.

The history and story of Assassin's Creed is long and convoluted, with the decades-long franchise spanning a wide variety of eras, cultures, and locations over the years. Many AC games have counted among the best PC games you could play at the time, with titles like the ones listed above being considered favorites among fans. If you loved the online multiplayer for any of these three AC games, or were always interested in experiencing them, this is likely your last chance to enjoy a bout of Assassin's Creed multiplayer.

What you need to know

• Furniture manufacturer Secretlab has partnered with Ubisoft to create a special Assassin's Creed Collection.
• The collection includes an Animus-inspired Titan Evo 2022 gaming chair, as well as a desk mat, cable anchors, and cable sheaths for Secretlab's MAGNUS desk.
• All items in the collection are available now, with the price of the Titan Evo 2022 chair starting at $624.

In celebration of Ubisoft's popular Assassin's Creed franchise turning 15 years old, gaming furniture manufacturer Secretlab has partnered with the series' developer and publisher, Ubisoft, to create a unique Assassin's Creed Collection. The collection includes a special Assassin's Creed version of Secretlab's Titan Evo 2022 gaming chair, as well as a handful of themed accessories for its MAGNUS metal desk.

The chair is undoubtedly the highlight of the collection, as it features a design heavily inspired by both the Animus virtual reality chair from the Assassin's Creed games and the iconic robes worn by members of the Assassin Order. The white, red, and gray chassis features Animus markings on the sides and the sigils of each Assassin's Creed game on the back, as well as the Assassin Order's "We work in the dark to serve the light" mantra. The chair itself is also incredibly comfortable, offering premium comfort, top-notch durability, and plenty of options for adjustment (read our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review for more on why we love this gaming chair).

The collection also offers some matching accessories for folks that own Secretlab's MAGNUS metal desk. These include an Assassin's Creed-themed magnetic desk mat, cable sheath, and cable anchors. The former protects the surface of the MAGNUS' desktop, while the latter two peripherals make it easier to manage the cables in your setup.

The full Secretlab Assassin's Creed Collection is available now, with the price of the themed Titan Evo 2022 gaming chair starting at $624. The magnetic desk mat costs $99, while an Assassin's Creed cable management bundle that includes the cable anchors, cable sheaths, and 10 cable fastening straps is priced at $59.

What you need to know

• According to a report from Bloomberg, Ubisoft is working on a smaller-scope, stealth-based Assassin's Creed game.
• The game was originally planned as an expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla before being spun out as a unique title.
• The game is also currently targeting a release window of either later in 2022 or sometime in 2023.
• Ubisoft is also working on Assassin's Creed Infinity, a massive ongoing game that will be the next major title in the franchise.

Ubisoft is planning a stealth-focused Assassin's Creed game, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The game is also planned to be smaller in scope than recent titles in the long-running franchise, meaning it might be more similar to early Assassin's Creed games, which places greater emphasis on stealth over massive open worlds.

The game reportedly started as an expansion for Assassin's Creed Valhalla before being changed into a standalone title. This standalone game reportedly stars Basim and is meant to launch either later in 2022 or sometime in 2023.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which first launched in 2020, has been a massive success for Ubisoft, receiving more post-launch support than any past Assassin's Creed title, including the upcoming Dawn of Ragnarok expansion.

Ubisoft is also currently working on Assassin's Creed Infinity, a massive game that's meant to serve as a platform for the future of the franchise. The publisher has come under fire over the last couple of years, with employees unhappy with a lack of change at management while also exploring using widely-derided NFTs in games through Ubisoft Quartz.

Developing...

What you need to know

• Ubisoft shared its financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2021-22.
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla is now the second-biggest profit generating title in Ubisoft's history.
• The next game, Assassin's Creed Infinity, is currently years away, with Windows Central sources indicating it's aimed to launch in 2024.

2020 action-adventure game Assassin's Creed Valhalla is the second-highest profit generating game in Ubisoft history, Ubisoft confirmed on Thursday. The company shared its financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2021-22, ending on Sep. 30, 2021. This success was through a combination of copies sold and any DLC purchased, including microtransactions. Ubisoft previously confirmed that Assassin's Creed Valhalla had the biggest launch of the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Looking ahead to upcoming games, Ubisoft also confirmed that the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, Tom Clancy's The Division Heartland and Rocksmith+ are slated to arrive at some point between April 2022 and March 2023.

The next entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise is called Assassin's Creed Infinity, a title that's meant to serve as a platform that grows and evolves over time. The game does not have an official release date or even release window, but sources close to Windows Central indicate it's being aimed for a tentative 2024 release window, though things could change.

Spoilers ahead

Trying to understand the overarching narrative of the Assassin's Creed series and how they connect to each other is as intimidating as it can be difficult. We'll help make the process as painless as possible. If you've never played an Assassin's Creed game before and you're looking to get into the franchise, here's the story so far.

For the purposes of this article, we'll be delving into the main Assassin's Creed games only. The series makes up some of the best Xbox games, in my opinion, but it also has some duds. The franchise also has several long-running comic series and spin-off games that continue the meta-narrative; however, it's unreasonable to assume everyone should go out and buy all of them, though Ubisoft oddly tied up important storylines outside of the games we'll briefly touch upon in the modern-day section.

If you're interested in a particular game or the modern-day story itself, you can jump right to any of those sections.

Important terminology

Before reading through some of the games' plots, familiarize yourself with these important terms that will help you understand the plot going forward.

The Animus

The Animus is a machine that analyzes DNA and allows people to relive their ancestors' memories. This is the reason that we are playing through historical time periods in Assassin's Creed. The technology is eventually enhanced in the series so that anyone using an Animus (later called the Helix) can relive anyone's memories, not just someone related to them.

First Civilization

The First Civilization (also known as the Isu, Precursors, and Those Who Came Before) is an early race of humanoid beings that are thought of as gods by many, though they do not refer to themselves as such. Through the use of powerful artifacts known as Pieces of Eden, they created the human race and subjugated them, turning them into slaves as the Isu lived lavish lives in their advanced society.

Pieces of Eden

Pieces of Eden can take on many forms and wield various abilities, but they all contain great power within. Most artifacts served a role in maintaining humanity's subservience, though some took more good-natured purposes like those that were capable of healing.

You may sometimes hear these referred to as Precursor artifacts, of which Pieces of Eden are a subclass.

Sage

Though the First Civilization was wiped out long ago due to a global cataclysm, their lineage continued in humans. Sages are reincarnations of an Isu being known as Aita. Sages have the ability to recall Aita's memories and possess natural talent superior to that of normal humans.

Chronological timeline by release

Because of the Animus and the series' separation between modern and historical timelines, we'll dedicate an entire section to the series' overarching modern-day narrative while we dig into each game's historical settings separately, as they usually (but not always) can be viewed as standalone adventures.

Assassin's Creed

Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, an assassin living during the Third Crusade, is tasked by Assassin Brotherhood Mentor Al Mualim to retrieve a powerful artifact known as a Piece of Eden, specifically the Apple of Eden. His arrogance during this mission costs the life of a fellow assassin and permanently disables another. Al Mualim then demotes him within the Brotherhood and gives him nine Templar targets to take out. Upon killing the ninth, Templar Grand Master Robert de Sable, he returns to the assassin stronghold of Masyaf only to discover that Al Mualim betrayed the Brotherhood and stole the Apple of Eden for himself. After a fight ensues, which sees Al Mualim fall to Altair's blade, a glowing map is revealed that shows the location of more Pieces of Eden across the world.

Assassin's Creed 2

Assassin's Creed II begins during the Italian Renaissance in Florence with the birth of Ezio Auditore. Flash forward years later, and Ezio is a young man who sees his father and brothers killed after being framed for treason. On his journey to avenge their deaths, he discovers that his father was a member of the secretive Assassin Brotherhood, and he takes up the mantle in his stead. Traveling from Florence to Venice, stopping at a few towns in between, Ezio unravels the conspiracy taking root that sees Templar Grand Master Rodrigo Borgia becoming Pope Alexander VI. After overpowering Borgia in the Vatican, the Apple and Staff of Eden open a vault where a projection of a member of the First Civilization tells Ezio that a great catastrophe will destroy the Earth in the future.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

Brotherhood picks up immediately after the ending of Assassin's Creed II. With the Apple of Eden in hand, Ezio retires to the country village of Monteriggioni. His life is thrust into chaos as Rodrigo Borgia's son, Cesare, lays siege to the village and steals the Apple of Eden. Ezio then journeys to Rome to take down the Borgia family once and for all. After gaining enough support and rekindling the Brotherhood, Ezio is successful in defeating both Rodrigo and Cesare. He reacquires the Apple of Eden and hides it in a First Civ Temple built beneath the Colosseum.

Assassin's Creed Revelations

During the later years of his life, Ezio makes a pilgrimage to Masyaf to understand more about the Brotherhood. Unfortunately, he finds it overrun by Templars. Upon learning that the keys to Altair's secret library vault lie in Constantinople, he travels to the center of the Ottoman Empire to find them. Along the way he's caught between two warring brothers as they fight for their father's throne as Sultan. As he deals with this conflict, Ezio also relives parts of Altair's past through the keys to his library, which turn out to be First Civ artifacts of some sort. Settling the brothers' dispute and leaving Selim to rule, he goes back to Masyaf and enters the vault. At this point he is greeted by another member of the First Civilization who speaks through him and to Desmond (our modern-day protagonist), telling him the location of a central vault that should stop the upcoming catastrophe.

Assassin's Creed 3

Assassin's Creed III follows a new assassin and jumps all the way to the American Revolution. Ratonhnhaké:ton, also known as Connor Kenway, witnesses his Native American tribe burn to the ground at an early age due to English/Templar colonizers. After learning that his destiny is to stop the Templars from seizing control, he gets caught in the midst of the Revolution while simultaneously trying to do what's best for his people and way of life. This struggle takes him from the fledgling cities of New York to Boston and across parts of the frontier. He eventually retrieves a First Civ key meant for a Temple, but decides to bury it in the ground instead.

Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Black Flag takes us back to the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. After unknowingly killing an assassin traitor, pirate Edward Kenway dons his robes in an effort to take his place in an important meeting and reap the rewards. This leads him into the age-old Assassin vs. Templar conflict where he must stop those he once thought allies before they enter an ancient Observatory that has the power to locate anyone on Earth through the use of a Crystal Skull and blood vial. Successful in his efforts but unable to prevent the pirates' way of life from falling apart, he retires to London where he is seen living with two children, one of whom would become Connor Kenway's father from Assassin's Creed III.

Assassin's Creed Rogue

Another tale set in Colonial America, this time during the Seven Years' War. While on a mission to retrieve a Piece of Eden, assassin Shay Patrick Cormac witnesses the destruction of Lisbon due to an earthquake. He comes to find that the earthquake was caused by his retrieval attempts and that the Assassins knew what the price would be for meddling with these First Civ objects. He becomes so disillusioned in the Brotherhood that he turns to the Templars, fearing that the Pieces of Eden would be too dangerous in Assassin hands. Shay then hunts down his former allies, with his actions kicking off the events taking place in Assassin's Creed Unity.

Assassin's Creed Unity

After witnessing his father's death at the hands of Shay Patrick Cormac, Arno Dorian is taken in by a family friend and his daughter Elise, who unbeknownst to Arno are Templars. Years later in Paris the early embers of the French Revolution are beginning to burn. Members of both the Assassins and Templars, specifically Elise, offer to parley in the hopes of peace, or at least to end the current threat against the two organizations, a man named François-Thomas Germain, a Sage sowing the seeds of betrayal from within the Templars, but these offers fall through. After Arno is exiled because of his relationship and loyalties to Elise, he returns to Paris for one last fight between Germain, which ends with both Germain and Elise dead.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Revolutions don't always need to bring about death and chaos, as evidenced in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Twins Jacob and Evie Frye answer the call for help from a fellow assassin in Victorian London. Upon arriving, Jacob quickly begins to build up his own gang to take back the city from Templar control during the Industrial Revolution. While this is going on, Evie is on her own journey to find a Piece of Eden that she knows is hidden somewhere in the city. Their adventures eventually converge as they finally reach Grand Master Crawford Starrick. A battle ensues in which Starrick utilizes a Piece of Eden known as the Shroud; however he is defeated, and the twins return the Shroud to its vault beneath Buckingham Palace.

Assassin's Creed Origins

Bayek, an Egyptian Medjay (a police force of the pharaohs), finds himself on a journey of vengeance after five masked men cause him to inadvertently kill his own son. These men, known as the Order of the Ancients, are what would eventually become the Templar Order. His quest takes him all over Egypt, eventually even allying him with Cleopatra's forces as she tries to seize control from her brother Ptolemy XIII. During this time, Bayek discovers that one of Julius Caesar's lieutenants was one of the five masked men who was there when his son was killed. After avenging his son, Bayek and his wife Aya begin to form the Hidden Ones, what would become the Assassin Brotherhood, to protect the world from suffering at the hands of the Templars.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is one of the few main entries in the series to feature multiple endings. As such, the plot isn't exactly set in stone, but it follows the same paths more or less.

Set in Greece during the Peloponnesian War (431 BCE), you play as Kassandra or Alexios, descendants of the legendary Spartan King Leonidas. Your character is thrown off of a cliff as a child after attempting to stop the death of their younger sibling, who an oracle prophesied would need to be sacrificed to stop the fall of Sparta. Presumed dead, your character grows up to become a Misthios (mercenary) and is contacted by a man to kill someone named "The Wolf of Sparta," who turns out to be your character's stepfather. What follows is a tale of close family drama as the Misthios' relatives all find themselves mixed in a plot with the Cult of Kosmos, led by your younger sibling, a group secretly responsible for causing the Peloponnesian War through harnessing the power of a Piece of Eden.

It is during this time that the Misthios also discovers the hidden city of Atlantis, guarded by Pythagoras, the Misthios' true father, and seals it from human contact. Depending on the actions you take within the game, you can reunite with your family and start to rebuild your relationship with them or you can choose to let them perish. Either way, the Cult of Kosmos is wiped out.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Like Odyssey before it, Valhalla is the only other entry in the franchise to feature multiple endings, though it has fewer than Odyssey does.

Valhalla begins with a young Viking, Eivor of the Raven clan, witnessing the deaths of their parents during a raid on their village. Years later after avenging their deaths, Eivor journeys to England to settle new land as Norway falls under King Harald's rule. Eivor then spends much of their time building up alliances between various regions throughout England, all while defying King Alfred's rule, who seeks to drive the Vikings out of England. While this is going on, Eivor's adoptive brother Sigurd and Hidden Ones assassin Basim attempt to find the Saga Stone, an Isu relic that should make Sigurd a god.

Eivor, Sigurd, and Basim also come to find out that they are reincarnations of Odin, Tyr, and Loki from Norse myth. When Basim tries to kill Eivor for Odin's killing of Fenrir, they trap him in a First Civ computer of sorts.

Modern day

Each game continues its modern narrative in some form, though the series featured its most cohesive narrative up until Assassin's Creed 3, with future entries veering a bit off course. If you want the complete story of Assassin's Creed, then you'll want to pick up any of its several comic series.

Premise and backstory

As I've said in an earlier quick primer of the series leading up to Odyssey's release: "The crux of the modern day is the continuation of an ancient war between Assassins and Templars. The Templars, in this case, aren't the Knights Templar you may visualize. Instead, they are a group of people committed to the Templar Order's ideals under the guise of controlling a multinational corporation known as Abstergo. To put it simply: These are the bad guys."

The Templars, and by extension, Abstergo, want to create a perfect utopia through the use of manipulation and control, which they will accomplish with Pieces of Eden. The Assassins want the same; however they believe that free will is of the utmost importance. These conflicting ideologies and desires form the basis of their feud.

Where the story begins

Assassin's Creed begins with a man named Desmond Miles, a New York bartender who is abducted by Abstergo Industries and forced to relive his ancestors' memories through the Animus to help Abstergo find the locations of Pieces of Eden. He ends up being rescued by Lucy Stillman, an Abstergo employee who secretly worked for the Assassin Brotherhood. While on the run they discover that the world is to suffer a cataclysmic event in 2012 similar to the one that destroyed the First Civilization. To prevent this solar flare from wiping out humanity, Desmond and his friends find a First Civilization Temple and encounter an Isu being known as Juno, who wants to take over the world and enslave humanity again once. She states that she will protect the Earth at the cost of Desmond's life for setting her free. He does so, saving the world from the impending solar flare, thus concluding Desmond's arc.

Here's where Ubisoft went a bit off the rails in terms of narrative. With the solar flare stopped and Juno set free, players now take control of a random, unnamed, unseen Abstergo employee who was hired under the guise of helping the company create a video game. In actuality, the Templars are using your character to search for a First Civ ruin known as the Observatory to find the location of a Sage, reincarnations of Aita, Juno's husband.

During this time Juno existed as a digital entity of sorts, not having the power to manifest in her physical form. Through the manipulation of her followers, who are dubbed the Instruments of the First Will, she attempts to become whole once again by inhabiting a cloned First Civ body recreated through Abstergo's Phoenix Project and the Shroud of Eden.

Juno's entire arc is almost completely forgotten about in the games and was instead wrapped up in a comic series. In her attempts to become whole again, she retrieves the Koh-i-Noor, a Piece of Eden so powerful it can locate all other Pieces of Eden and bind their fates, and finds Desmond's son, who happened to be a Sage. By using the Shroud of Eden and Elijah's bone marrow, which contained First Civ DNA due to him being a Sage, she becomes a full-fledged Isu in under 24 hours.

Thanks to a little trickery from Elijah, an assassin named Charlotte de la Cruz was able to kill Juno with a hidden blade through her throat. What was left of her body was destroyed in an explosion.

Now the story is focusing on a new playable character, Layla Hassan. She is a former Abstergo employee turned Assassin affiliate who is now helping the Brotherhood in their fight. During the events of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, she attempts to find the Staff of Hermes on a quest that eventually leads her to the ruins of Atlantis. It's here where she counters the Misthios, who was kept alive for thousands of years thanks to the staff. The Misthios warns Layla that the Assassins and Templars must always be at war to maintain balance between order and chaos, for should one prevail over the other, the world is doomed. Layla is apparently the one who was prophesied to bring balance between the two, and as the Misthios gives her the Staff of Hermes, they pass away.

In the events of Odyssey's DLC, Layla undergoes trials by the Isu Aletheia to prove she could become the Staff's keeper. While this is happening, Abstergo agents arrive as Layla is arguing with her physician, Victoria, who worries that Layla is becoming lost within the Animus and to the power of the Staff. A fight breaks out that leaves all but one Abstergo agent dead. Otso Berg, leader of an Abstergo strike team, then shows up to steal the Staff from Layla, but he ends up being crippled as a result. Layla is finally able to re-establish contact with other Assassins and informs them of what happened.

When Assassin's Creed Valhalla begins, it's been a few years since the events of Odyssey's DLC. Layla, with the Staff of Hermes, appears to be growing more irritable under its influence, suggesting it's taking over control. Due to the Earth's magnetic field strengthening and causing all sorts of climate issues, Layla, along with Rebecca and Shaun, go to New England to relive Eivor's memories, hoping there's a clue to stop whatever's going on with the magnetic field.

Realizing that the Earth's problems stem from when Desmond activated the Isu towers and stopped a solar flare in 2012, Layla goes to an Isu temple in Norway to reduce the field's strength to normal levels. It's here that she encounters Basim, still trapped in the Isu computer hundreds of years later. Layla learns that he's the one who sent the Assassins the initial coordinates to New England. 

After Layla enters the computer to stabilize the magnetic field, Basim frees himself, trapping Layla inside. He then takes the Staff of Hermes, containing the consciousness of Aletheia, who we learned was his lover in his past life as Loki. Escaping the temple, he meets up with Shaun and Rebecca and demands a meeting with William Miles. Though Shaun and Rebecca are concerned for Layla, they listen to a message of hers telling them that she's okay, and that she does not want to be rescued.

While in the computer, Layla meets a mysterious figure called The Reader. This Reader appears to "run calculations within the Gray," knowing all possible events that will come to pass in the future. Along with The Reader, Layla stays in the Gray to prevent future mass extinction events.

What the future may hold

Ubisoft appears to be developing a live service title called Assassin's Creed Infinity. In an initial report from Bloomberg, sources said that the upcoming game was inspired by "living online platforms" like Fortnite and GTA Online. All Ubisoft has officially revealed so far is that it's a collaborative effort between multiple studios.

Judging from rumors, Assassin's Creed Infinity could provide a hub where smaller "games" could launch, each with their own setting and story. It doesn't seem like the game will be out until 2024 or later, though, so plans can obviously change.

Bloomberg also claims that a smaller, more stealth-focused entry code named Assassin's Creed Rift is expected to release before Infinity. Rift was allegedly planned as an expansion for Valhalla before it was spun off into its own game. Rift is expected to star Basim. 

Assassin's Creed Infinity is pivoting to live service. According to an report from Bloomberg, Ubisoft aims to "create a massive online platform that evolves over time" and Infinity will "contain multiple settings with room to expand to others in the months and years following its debut." Ubisoft itself hasn't confirmed any of the live service changes, but did write in a blog post that Assassin's Creed Infinity will be a huge cross-studio effort.

It's undeniable that these types of experiences have been wildly successful in the modern gaming industry, as titles like Fortnite and GTA V have become some of the most profitable games of all time due to their live service structure. But is this the best direction for Assassin's Creed?

On one hand, I'm excited by the prospect of visiting multiple settings, as one of the core strengths of the franchise is the ability to explore and immerse yourself within various different historical eras. On the other, I'm concerned about what a "massive online platform" would look like for a series that has its roots firmly planted in the singleplayer action RPG genre. Will Assassin's Creed Infinity act as a hub for numerous different singleplayer adventures, or will it shift the franchise in the shared world multiplayer direction? Will there be microtransactions and grinding for loot? How will the story and narrative — one of the franchise's core pillars — be conveyed to players?

It's impossible to make any concrete judgements before more details about Assassin's Creed Infinity are revealed, but regardless, I think it's strange for Ubisoft to take such a big risk with its largest and most successful franchise. A live service Assassin's Creed may be profitable, but will it appeal to the series' core audience that has come to appreciate Assassin's Creed as a feature-rich singleplayer series?

Something that's also worrying is Ubisoft's consistently poor track record with live service experiences. Both The Division and The Division 2 struggled to stay relevant over long periods of time due to issues with bugs and Ubisoft's inability to keep players interested, although the publisher is admirably planning to bring more content to The Division 2 later this year. The unique medieval fighting game For Honor has long been criticized for its painfully slow balancing and milquetoast season pass rewards. Hyper Scape, Ubisoft's vertical mobility-focused battle royale shooter, felt like it was completely dead on arrival. Ubisoft has only seen true multiplayer success with Rainbow Six: Siege, its tactical multiplayer shooter.

For live service games to succeed, they need quick hotfixes, frequent tuning and balancing patches, and reasons to keep coming back for more as time goes on. Almost all of Ubisoft's previous and current attempts at creating a satisfying live service experience have lacked these requirements, and because of this, I fear that Ubisoft isn't prepared to give Assassin's Creed the support it needs to thrive in this side of the industry. It feels less like a natural evolution for Assassin's Creed and more like a vain attempt to follow trends — potentially alienating its core audience in the process.

Overall, between the potential shift away from the singleplayer RPG gameplay that put Assassin's Creed on the map in the first place and Ubisoft's consistent failure to foster successful live service games, I'm very skeptical about Assassin's Creed Infinity. Ubisoft has a lot to prove here. The ball is in its court.

Your thoughts

Do you agree with me that Ubisoft has a lot to prove with Assassin's Creed Infinity, or are you confident that the game will be good? Let me know your opinion in the comments.

Also, for the latest Assassin's Creed RPG, check out Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It's one of the best Xbox games on the market right now, and my colleague Jennifer Locke stated that she enjoyed the game in her Assassin's Creed Valhalla review. She noted that "despite some pitfalls, Valhalla is a strong game with plenty to enjoy. It features a beautiful world to explore, interesting mythos, and engaging combat to keep you on your toes." It's available for $60 on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS4 and PS5, and Windows 10 (and Windows 11) PCs.

What you need to know

• The next Assassin's Creed game is reportedly codenamed Infinity and is being developed by Ubisoft Quebec and Montreal.
• A report from Bloomberg indicates that the game could contain "multiple settings" instead of being restricted to just one.
• The report also claims several managers accused of abusive behavior have not been removed from leadership roles.

Update, July 7 (9:21 pm ET): Ubisoft confirms the existence of Assassin's Creed Infinity while stating the future of the series is in cross-studio co-development.

The next Assassin's Creed game is reportedly codenamed Assassin's Creed Infinity. That's according to a report from Bloomberg, which notes that the game is being co-developed by Ubisoft Montreal and Ubisoft Quebec, with the latter taking the lead position. Multiple prior Assassin's Creed games have alternated lead developers between Montreal and Quebec.

While not discussing details, Ubisoft acknolwedged the existence of Assassin's Creed Infinity to Bloomberg. As the codename implies, this game would be a live service title, containing "multiple settings" and functioning as massive platform that can evolve over time. This can allow for different games that are all connected in some way to be developed on the same platform. Bloomberg notes that the game is years away from release and things could change before Infinity arrives.

Separately, we've previously heard that the next major Assassin's Creed game was being tentatively aimed for 2024, following the expanded support being received by Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which will have major expansions and continued add-ons in 2022. Assassin's Creed Valhalla had the best launch of the franchise, propelling Ubisoft to record bookings at the time. While our review didn't place it as one of the best Xbox games available, we found it to be a "fun Viking tale mixed with the series' own flare and sci-fi elements."

Bloomberg's report also states that many Ubisoft developers are concerned regarding managers accused of abusive behavior who still remain in leadership roles. Ubisoft saw a wave of accusations throughout 2020, which resulted in numerous departures and firings. Ubisoft stated to Bloomberg that the organization is reviewing any employees with allegations against them via a third party and that these individuals were "...either exonerated or underwent appropriate disciplinary actions."

Update, July 7 (9:21 pm ET) — Ubisoft confirms the game's existence, explains

Ubisoft quickly confirmed the earlier Bloomberg report on the existence of Assassin's Creed Infinity. The series is moving to a "cross-studio, collaborative structure."

While the Assassin's Creed games haven't brought back the multiplayer mode that defined the early online days of titles like Brotherhood, there is a way for you to aid your friends online in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Once you progress far enough, you can create a Viking raider, or Jomsviking, to upload online. From there, your friends who are also playing will eventually see your raider and be able to bring them in. Here's how to upload a Viking raider for your friends.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: How to upload a Viking raider for your friends

First off, you can't make a Jomsviking until you arrive in England. This will take at least a couple of hours of progressing through the main story, longer if you choose to do side content in Norway first.

1. Once you've arrived in England, work on the Settling Down quest.

2. Continue this quest until you've built a Blacksmith shop for Gunner.
3. Now, go to the Docks. You'll find a signpost for building a barracks.
4. Build the Barracks for 400 Supplies and 30 Raw Materials.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla online raider Creating and uploading a Jomsviking

Now that your Barracks is built, Speak to the old woman with a ledger near the Barracks. She'll discuss setting up a right-hand warrior. Once you do so, you can customize your Jomsviking, selecting from pre-determined faces, choosing whether they are male or female, and altering the weapons and armor used.

Make sure you're happy with the chosen sex and appearance of your raider because, unfortunately, these can't be changed after uploading. There's also currently no way to delete your Jomsviking. Hopefully this is something Ubisoft changes moving forward. Once you're sure you're happy with the selection, press Assign and you'll be all set.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla online raider Recruiting a Jomsviking

Unfortunately, you can't directly recruit your friends' Jomsvikings, and getting them to show up isn't an exact science. What you'll need to do is periodically check around the Barracks. From time to time, different raiders will appear and eventually, you'll see the Jomsviking your friend uploaded, which will be noted on the recruitment menu. Once they've shown up, just pay the 100 Silver and they'll be available for your raiding party.

Raid and plunder

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a sprawling RPG where choices matter as you lead your clan to victory in England. Editor Jennifer Locke wrote in her Assassin's Creed Valhalla review that "though the story seems unnecessarily long, it's a fun Viking tale mixed with the series' own flare and sci-fi elements."

If you find yourself struggling at any point, make sure to consult the tips and tricks needed for beginners.

Xbox Series X/S

Main

• Xbox Series X: Everything we know
• Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
• List of Xbox Series X specs
• What is the Xbox Series X release date?
• How much does Xbox Series X cost?
• Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
• Best Xbox Series X Headsets

What you need to know

• Netflix and Ubisoft announced today that they are working on a live action show based on Assassin's Creed.
• The agreement will also allow for additional live action and animated series.
• A search is currently underway for a showrunner for the initial series.

After the huge success of its live action series based The Witcher, Netflix is looking to tap into the following of another blockbuster video game franchise by producing an Assassin's Creed show.

The streaming service announced today that it had signed a deal with Ubisoft giving it the rights to produce live action and animated shows based on the series, which has sold more than 155 million games since launching in 2007. The partners are currently searching for a showrunner for "an epic, genre-bending live action adaptation" according to a press release.

"We're excited to partner with Ubisoft and bring to life the rich, multilayered storytelling that Assassin's Creed is beloved for," Netflix vice president, original series Peter Friedlander said in the release. "From its breathtaking historical worlds and massive global appeal as one of the best selling video game franchises of all time, we are committed to carefully crafting epic and thrilling entertainment based on this distinct IP and provide a deeper dive for fans and our members around the world to enjoy."