Ghost of Yotei vs Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Which Game Is Better?

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Ever since the first Assassin’s Creed game came out in 2007, players have wanted a version set in Japan. Given the series’ focus on stealth, Japanese ninjas seemed like a perfect fit. Finally, in early 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivered just that – a large, open world with the option to play as both a ninja and a samurai.

Ghost of Yotei, the new game following Ghost of Tsushima, shares a lot of similarities with its predecessor – including a female lead pursuing masked samurai who have done her wrong. It’s a familiar story, but an interesting one. Now, it’s a matter of seeing which game tells it better.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Bigger Open World

Yours To Explore At Your Own Risk

Okay, so the maps in both games feel pretty similar in size to other open-world titles I’ve played – lots to see and do in each. But *Ghost of Yotei* has these frustrating locked gates that you can’t get through until you’re further in the story. *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is way better about that. There *are* level suggestions for some combat quests – basically, if you’re under-leveled, things will be tough. But honestly, I like that I can still *try* those quests if I want, or just ignore them and explore the world without being blocked. It feels much more open and free.

Ghost of Yotei: The Fast Loads

And Quick Fast Travel

Even after five years, the PlayStation 5 continues to deliver incredibly fast loading speeds. In the game *Ghost of Yotei*, loading screens are almost nonexistent, allowing players to save and travel quickly around the game world. It’s a remarkable achievement.

Honestly, getting around in *Ghost of Yotei* is way better than in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. They have a lot more places you can fast travel to, which is a huge help. With quicker loading and all those convenient fast travel spots, I found myself exploring so much more in *Ghost of Yotei*. It’s seriously one of the best fast travel systems I’ve seen in an open-world game – it just makes getting around a breeze!

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Stealth Gameplay

Move In The Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe is the character designed for stealth. While Yasuke can also sneak, his size limits his agility. Atsu, featured in *Ghost of Yotei*, is fairly good at hiding in tall grass and taking down enemies, but Naoe is ultimately the more skilled assassin of the two.

It would be strange to *not* have a highly skilled assassin in an *Assassin’s Creed* game. Naoe is a formidable ninja, capable of moving bodies, distracting foes, and displaying impressive agility, making her a difficult opponent.

Ghost of Yotei: The Story

Go Back In Time

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you play as two characters: Naoe, a ninja seeking revenge after losing everything to a cruel clan, and Yasuke, a samurai who traveled from afar with a similar goal. Interestingly, Naoe’s story closely mirrors that of Atsu from *Ghost of Yotei*, even sharing the common thread of enemies who hide behind masks.

Although Naoe and Yasuke are likeable characters, Atsu’s story is more emotionally engaging. Players learn about her past through flashbacks, which helps them connect with her on a deeper level. In general, the acting in *Ghost of Yotei* is also stronger.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Progression

A Classic Leveling Up System

Character progression in *Ghost of Yotei* feels improved over *Ghost of Tsushima*, offering multiple ways to enhance Atsu’s abilities. While it doesn’t reach the depth of a traditional RPG like *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* – where characters like Naoe and Yasuke gain experience and level up – it’s the game to choose if you want a strong RPG experience focused on samurai. This progression feels very satisfying, though it can require some repetitive gameplay later on.

Ghost of Yotei: The Graphics

A Truly Remarkable PS5 Game

While *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* has appealing visuals and diverse settings, *Ghost of Yotei* is visually superior. Surprisingly, even the PS5 version of *Ghost of Tsushima*, a game from 2020, looks better than *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

This isn’t meant to diminish Ubisoft’s work, which was well done. However, Sucker Punch Productions is in a league of its own. With impressive technology – from water and wind effects to realistic facial expressions – *Ghost of Tsushima* truly feels like a showcase title for the PS5.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: The Weapon System

Two Heroes With Diverse Weapon Sets

Atsu, the protagonist of *Ghost of Yotei*, has access to a wider variety of weapons than Jin does in *Ghost of Tsushima*. However, when compared to the combined arsenals of Naoe and Yasuke in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Atsu’s options are fewer. While some weapons are similar – both Atsu and Naoe can use a sickle and chain, for example – *Shadows* boasts more distinctive weapons. These include Naoe’s quick daggers and Yasuke’s powerful club. Both games feature excellent weapon systems, but *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* stands out due to its loot system and the skills that can be attached to each weapon, making them feel truly unique.

The Verdict

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Sneaks Into The Lead

If you want a game that really showcases the PS5’s graphics, *Ghost of Yotei* is the way to go, and its story is more emotionally engaging. However, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* provides a more comprehensive experience overall. While it might not be as visually stunning, it features a larger, more open world, a wider variety of weapons, two playable characters with distinct abilities, and deeper RPG elements.

Ultimately, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is more ambitious than *Ghost of Tsushima*. While it didn’t always succeed, Ubisoft tried to do a lot more with this game than Sucker Punch did, who primarily refined existing ideas.

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2025-10-06 15:25