Has AC Shadows, the latest Assassin’s Creed game, proven that gamers will always purchase another Assassin’s Creed Game, no matter how predictable or boring it is?
-Shubhi Agrawal
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has made waves since its release, becoming the second-best launch-day seller in the franchise’s history, only behind Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The game has also set a record for day-one sales on the PlayStation Network and logged over 160 million hours played. Eight weeks after its release on March 20, Shadows continues to dominate sales charts and conversations in the gaming world.
But with all the hype and impressive statistics, some are beginning to question whether the Assassin’s Creed franchise relies too much on its established fanbase and formula. Let’s break down the key milestones Shadows has achieved while examining what makes the Creed games so enduring—and polarizing.
Record-Breaking Sales and Player Engagement
Ubisoft announced that AC Shadows is now the second-highest launch-day seller in the franchise. It also broke PlayStation Network records for day-one sales, a testament to the franchise’s unshakeable popularity. Players have spent an astonishing 160 million hours in the game, exploring its feudal Japanese setting and engaging with its dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.
These figures place Shadows among the most successful titles in the Creed series, solidifying its place in Ubisoft’s history. For fans, the numbers validate their excitement for the game’s unique setting and mechanics. For skeptics, it’s a sign of the franchise’s ability to sell, regardless of how much it innovates.
Feudal Japan: A Long-Awaited Setting
One of Shadows’ biggest strengths is its feudal Japanese backdrop; a setting fans have wanted for over a decade. From bamboo forests to bustling markets, the game captures the era with breathtaking detail. Ubisoft’s decision to finally explore Japan has clearly paid off, offering players a fresh aesthetic while retaining the core gameplay elements that define the Creed franchise.
However, while the visuals are stunning, some critics argue that the gameplay doesn’t break much new ground. The parkour system has seen updates—including smoother transitions and upcoming features like vertical ledge jumps—but the core mechanics remain largely the same as previous entries.
Claws of Awaji DLC and What’s Next
Looking ahead, Ubisoft has teased significant post-launch content for AC Shadows, including the Claws of Awaji DLC. This expansion will introduce a new island beyond Osaka Bay, along with fresh missions and enemies. Fans are eager to see how the DLC ties up loose ends from the main story, but some worry that relying on expansions to complete narratives has become too common in modern gaming. And a tad frustrating as well.
The DLC’s promise of new adventures and challenges could help Shadows maintain its momentum. However, it also raises questions about whether Ubisoft’s strategy prioritizes longevity over delivering a fully cohesive experience upfront.
The Franchise Formula: A Strength or a Crutch?
Assassin’s Creed has always walked a fine line between innovation and familiarity. Shadows’ dual protagonists and setting are undeniably fresh, (though we saw it before in Syndicate released ten years back) but the core gameplay loop remains a mix of stealth, combat, and exploration. For long-time fans, this consistency is a strength. For others, it’s a sign that the series might be relying too heavily on its tried-and-true formula.
Shadows’ success suggests that players are more than willing to invest in another Creed game, even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But with comparisons to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla looming large, it’s worth asking whether Shadows does enough to stand apart from its predecessors.
Crossing Over with Dead by Daylight
In an unexpected twist, AC Shadows is set to cross over with Dead by Daylight, bringing its characters and themes into the popular horror game. While the collaboration has generated buzz, it also highlights that Ubisoft is now having to make efforts to keep the franchise in the public eye through strategic partnerships. Whether this crossover adds meaningful value to either game remains to be seen.
As Ubisoft prepares to release the Claws of Awaji DLC and future updates, the debate over the Creed formula’s longevity will likely continue. For now, one thing is clear: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is both a commercial triumph and a lightning rod for discussions about the future of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
You can read our reviews of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, if you wish to know more about the games.
(Shubhi Agrawal has always been drawn to fantasy — the kind filled with magic, mythical creatures, and unforgettable journeys. Whether it’s through games, books, or films, she finds joy in escaping to other worlds and writing about them for Enigmatic Horizon.)
Her LinkedIn: Shubhi Agrawal
