Naoe’s Familiar but Emotional Journey in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

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As a dedicated gamer immersed in the world of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows”, I can attest that this game is quite the marathon. The main storyline clocks in at approximately 30 to 50 hours, and if you’re like me, eager to explore every nook and cranny, the optional side content bumps the playtime to a whopping 70+ hours. Now, a game of such duration demands a rich array of rewards to keep players hooked from start to finish, and “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” certainly delivers on that front.

In the game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows“, players are generously rewarded for finishing content with fresh weapons, armor, and skills throughout their gaming experience, whether they’re engaging in main missions or optional activities. The storyline serves as a sturdy base for the gameplay in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows“, connecting every activity to larger narratives and character interactions. However, the plot of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” might seem somewhat repetitive to long-time fans of the series.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Story Retreads Old, But Good Ground

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Inciting Incident Is a Familiar One

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, following an extensive opening scene where Yasuke earns the trust and title of samurai under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, gameplay begins, allowing players to engage in sword fights and combat as the samurai, cutting a path through a defiant Iga village. The scene then swiftly transitions, introducing us to Naoe, who gallops on horseback with her father, Nagato, towards their burning village.

In a turn of events, Naoe is dispatched by her father on a mission to secure a secretive, locked container hidden within a tomb nearby. Unfortunately, this box is snatched from her by a masked thief. Determined, Naoe pursues the masked man and ends his life, regaining possession of the box. However, during her hasty retreat, she sustains a wound on her side. In an attempt to save Naoe, her father intervenes, only to find themselves cornered by a band of masked individuals who outnumber them.

In the heartbreaking scene, Naoe watches as her father is fatally wounded before her eyes, leaving him to bleed out. As his last words, he whispers to her, “follow the blade.” With this cryptic message, the camera rises, revealing the title of the game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This sets Naoe on a path of vengeance, which forms the core of the game’s narrative.

For devoted followers of the Assassin’s Creed series, the narrative structure in this game will likely seem quite reminiscent. The storyline of Assassin’s Creed 2 starts with Ezio observing his father and brothers’ murder at the hands of the Templars. In Assassin’s Creed 3, Connor experiences the burning of his village and the loss of dear ones. Assassin’s Creed Unity opens with Arno being accused of his adopted father’s demise. Even the more recent role-playing games in the series have maintained a similar narrative structure; Origins introduces Bayek mourning the death of his son, and Valhalla begins with Eivor witnessing her parents’ deaths.

In many Assassin’s Creed games, the stories often begin with sorrow and misfortune, as these elements provide strong foundations for tales of revenge. The setup for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows follows this pattern.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Setup Is Still Compelling

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort in the opening sequence of Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. Despite its recurrence across the series, including its predecessor, the heart-wrenching introduction never fails to captivate me. It’s a storyline that has proven its worth over time.

Naoe and Nagato’s relationship is powerful from the start, and their character’s death scene is powerfully emotional. Additionally, the unique and eye-catching mask designs of the Shinbakufu members contribute significantly to creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery that wasn’t as prevalent in earlier Assassin’s Creed introductions.

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2025-03-27 00:04