Ubisoft has officially launched Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest installment in its flagship franchise, on March 20, 2025, after enduring multiple delays from its originally intended release dates. This action role-playing game is set in 16th century Japan, capturing the turbulent Sengoku period when the samurai class rose to prominence amidst civil strife.
The new title arrives as Ubisoft grapples with disappointing recent releases and a significant decline in stock prices, making its performance crucial not only for the company but potentially for the broader European gaming industry. Early indications reveal that the game surpassed one million players within mere hours of launch, a promising sign amidst mounting pressures on Ubisoft.
The game was developed by a collaboration of 17 Ubisoft studios over a span of five years, with a budget reportedly in the hundreds of millions of euros. This extensive development process has borne fruit, as evidenced by the title’s score of 81/100 on Metacritic, slightly higher than that of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the franchise’s most profitable entry to date. IGN’s review of Shadows remarked, "By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade." With the launch generating a surge in attention, Ubisoft's official social media confirmed, "It's not even 4 PM here in Canada and Assassin's Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players! Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan. We are beyond excited to start this journey with you!"
Nonetheless, the excitement surrounding Shadows comes amid growing investor skepticism, evident in a 5.6% drop in Ubisoft’s stock leading up to the launch. This decline follows a troubling period where the company's share price plummeted to an all-time low of 9.01 euros in September 2024, down from over 100 euros as recently as a decade ago.
The game features dual protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi from Iga Province, and Yasuke, an African samurai. Players are able to switch between these characters, utilizing different gameplay styles and weapons to navigate the intricacies of an open world that meticulously recreates the historical landscapes of Japan.
One notable gameplay feature is a seasonal cycle that affects tactics—spring, summer, autumn, and winter each present unique opportunities and challenges. Players can also customize their shinobi hideout, enhancing their gameplay experience through personalization.
Despite this innovation, Assassin's Creed Shadows has not been without controversy. Shortly before its release, Japanese lawmaker Hiroyuki Kada publicly criticized the game, claiming it disrespectfully portrays a samurai character who destroys elements of a Shinto shrine. In remarks reported widely, Kada stated, "It's important to treat culture with respect." This scrutiny fueled a backlash on social media, with a petition against the game's representation of Yasuke amassing over 100,000 signatures.
This backlash illustrates the delicate balance between creative storytelling in gaming and cultural sensitivity, a topic that has drawn significant debate not only within Japan but around the world. Following Kada's critique, Ubisoft announced a day-one patch implementing changes to sensitive content in the game, showcasing their responsiveness to public sentiment.
Analysts widely regard the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows as pivotal for Ubisoft, especially after its prior titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws performed below expectations. Notably, Charles-Louis Planade remarked that “everyone is crossing their fingers” for the game’s success, indicating how crucial this title is not just for the company but for the health of the French gaming sector, which employs roughly 15,000 workers within Ubisoft.
As the launch days unfold, there is keen interest in tracking Shadows' sales performance across platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Early sales metrics show it currently stands at the top of Steam’s global sales chart and has peaked at over 46,500 concurrent players, suggesting solid initial engagement.
While the immediate reaction is globally positive—rating engines indicate a 'very positive' response from players—underlying challenges remain. The gaming industry watches closely to see if Shadows can reinvigorate Ubisoft’s market position and address its recent corporate woes. If the game fails to meet high sales expectations, analysts predict it may accelerate layoffs and restructuring, a concerning prospect not only for the company’s workforce but for the wider gaming landscape as a whole.
