Japanese Critics Love Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Protagonists Shine!

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Summary

  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows received positive reviews from some Japanese critics.
  • The game’s dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, were mostly well-received by reviewers.
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a OpenCritic score of 81.

Various Japanese critics seem to be appreciating the latest release, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”. The meticulously crafted Feudal Japan portrayed in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” by Ubisoft Quebec has left reviewers impressed, even amidst the game’s contentious debut.

The long-awaited game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” was eventually launched on March 20, following several postponements and one of the most heated discussions during the franchise’s 18-year journey. Fans were thrilled at the prospect of delving into feudal Japan, but the decision to feature dual protagonists ignited intense debate. The stealthy Japanese shinobi Naoe was highly anticipated as a return to the series’ origins after the action-adventure combat of “Odyssey” and “Valhalla”, but the hack-n-slash fighter Yasuke caused more controversy. Despite supporters highlighting that the black sword-wielding character was a real figure who lived in Japan during the Sengoku period, critics swiftly raised concerns about his authenticity as a samurai within the game. This debate even garnered the attention of Elon Musk.

In various top-tier Japanese publications like Dengeki, Game Watch, Gamer, and 4Gamer, Polygon’s review indicates that the intricately designed depiction of Feudal Japan in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” resonates with gamers on either side of the Pacific. After a week of playing, critics have generally given positive feedback to “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” and it currently holds an OpenCritic score of 81, slightly below that of “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” (83) and “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” (84). Contrary to the belief that players would favor a purely Japanese protagonist and narrative, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is also receiving positive acclaim from Japan.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Praised by Japanese Critics

The game’s stunning seasonal weather effects and lush mountainous landscapes, along with its vibrant cities, created a strikingly accurate portrayal, with one 4Gamer reviewer describing it as reminiscent of his childhood. The characters in the game were also highly praised, with one critic stating that Naoe resembled an Assassin’s Creed protagonist and had a deeper, more relatable connection to the game’s narrative. However, Yasuke’s characterization as a flawless samurai received some criticism. Yet, all reviewers recognized his historical significance and often referred to him as a samurai. This recognition mirrors the earlier statement by Bayonetta and Okami creator Hideki Kamiya that the controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows was exaggerated by a vocal minority of players and not representative of the majority of gamers.

Despite receiving praise from critics, Ubisoft Quebec has been proactive in addressing issues raised by the Japanese government. Following a video clip where a player vandalized an in-game replica of the Itatehyozu Shinto Shrine, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced concerns about potential real-world imitations. In response, Ubisoft Quebec has released a software update to ensure that unique objects found within shrines and temples are now indestructible.

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2025-03-27 03:34