Ubisoft has officially released their highly anticipated game, Assassin's Creed Shadows, a title that has already sparked immense discussion among gamers due to its early launch and complex gameplay mechanics. The game went live on March 20, 2025, at 12 AM UTC, several hours ahead of its previously scheduled April 4 AM UTC launch. This early release created a buzz on Steam, driving peak user numbers to reach 17,477 concurrent players shortly after its launch.
Developed by Ubisoft, Assassin's Creed Shadows marks the 14th major installment in the franchise and serves as a follow-up to Assassin's Creed Mirage, released in 2023. Priced at $69.99, it is now available on multiple platforms, including Steam, GeForce NOW, Sony PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. For collectors, a special edition offered at $229.99 includes exclusive content such as a dual character statue, a Steelbook case, and a collector's art book, among other perks.
The game sets itself in 16th-century Japan during the tumultuous Azuchi-Momoyama period, a time marked by civil war and cultural exchanges. Players can navigate through famous Japanese cities such as Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, and Iga while uncovering conspiracies and shaping the fate of the nation. Protagonists include Naoe, a fictional shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a character inspired by the historical African samurai. Each character offers distinct abilities and playstyles—with Naoe being a stealth expert and Yasuke focused on melee combat.
As players dive into this immersive world, they will encounter a dynamic stealth system that allows for strategic gameplay. The introduction of the new “Observe” mechanic impacts tactics by enabling players to tag enemies and highlight objectives—a crucial component in their quest for survival.
Directly addressing gameplay performance, reviews showed that while the game is Steam Deck Verified, users running NVIDIA GPUs on Linux faced technical difficulties, including freezing issues before accessing the main menu. Players discovered that utilizing the NVIDIA Developer Beta Driver 570.123.06 could serve as a temporary fix.
Performance-wise, on the Steam Deck, the game defaults to TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) but also offers options for AMD's FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and Intel's XeSS. During gameplay, it has been reported that the Grasshopper Entertainment’s action game hovers around 30 FPS, with battery life estimated at about one hour for intensive gaming sessions.
On Desktop Linux, with an AMD Ryzen 5800X and Radeon 6800 XT, players noted a default setting of the High preset at a smooth 60 FPS. Additionally, when combined with AMD FSR Quality and Frame Generation, performance can soar up to 100 FPS, leading to a more fluid gaming experience.
The scoring for the game features compositions by the English duo The Flight and the psychedelic rock band TEKE::TEKE, enriching the gaming atmosphere. For fans of Assassin's Creed, this immersive soundtrack further complements the expansive gameplay set against a rich historical backdrop.
Despite the technical hiccups that have been reported, early reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding players' engagement with the mechanics. As of now, reviews on Steam see both ardent supporters and vocal critics flooding the platform with comments, despite many having logged only a brief amount of playtime.
For those considering jumping into this new chapter of the Assassin's Creed saga, the game promises both thrilling adventures and challenges that are yet to be fully dissected by the player community. Ubisoft has noted they plan to provide future updates for the enhancements, particularly concerning graphics options for the Steam Deck, which has intrigued many users.
As fans explore the landscapes of feudal Japan and engage deeply with the storylines of both Naoe and Yasuke, Assassin's Creed Shadows offers a rich tapestry of play, reminiscent of its storied past, while also setting the stage for future expansions in the beloved franchise.
