Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Stand a Chance Against Ghost of Tsushima?

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At the outset, Ghost of Tsushima was quickly nicknamed as “the Assassin’s Creed game that Ubisoft never produced” by players.

Ghost of Tsushima pretty much set the bar for open-world samurai games with its smooth combat, cinematic feel, and immersive world.

As Assassin’s Creed Shadows drops in a few days, comparisons are bound to follow.

But can Shadows hold its ground against Ghost of Tsushima, or is it in over its head?

On the surface, Shadows and GoT seem like natural competitors. Both titles take place in feudal Japan and feature expansive worlds centered around stealth and sword combat. But beyond that, they diverge significantly.

GoT transports players to 1274 Japan during the Mongol invasion of Tsushima Island. The story centers on Jin Sakai, a samurai who must forsake traditional bushido codes and adopt unorthodox, “dishonorable” methods to protect his homeland. As he wages a desperate guerrilla war against the invaders, his journey is shaped by an internal battle with his own sense of morality. It’s a story that really tugs at your heart, with themes of honor, duty, and sacrifice.

On the other hand, Shadows takes you to the late Sengoku period (16th century), where civil war and changing alliances rule the day. Ubisoft introduces two protagonists this time: Naoe, a skilled shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, the African samurai who fought under Oda Nobunaga. It’s shifting to a more politically charged plot with power struggles and assassinations and ditching the revenge angle of GoT. It also brings in hallmark AC elements like parkour, social stealth, and an overarching connection to the franchise’s Isu lore.

In contrast to Game of Thrones’ sparsely populated settings, a key aspect of bringing feudal Japan to life is creating bustling cities and busy trade centers. The visual spectacle should be complemented by a dynamic presence that suggests a thriving populace and active commerce.

Ubisoft’s reputation for designing detailed cities could work in Shadows’ favor, especially if they recreate the atmosphere of AC Unity or Origins to set it apart from GoT’s more isolated island setting. Stealth is another field in which Shadows could thrive. GoT’s stealth mechanics were fairly basic when compared to the more detailed ones in older AC games.

If we delve deeper, one area where Game of Thrones truly shines is in its combat mechanics. Players have the ability to switch stances to counter various enemy types, making each skirmish feel like a captivating cinematic scene. Additionally, the game features a skill progression system that enables Jin to unlock new abilities and techniques as he evolves from a noble samurai into the legendary “Ghost.

Shadows will need to bring its A-game here because AC combat has often been criticized for feeling floaty and overly animation-heavy. Although Shadows has displayed potential with its weapon variety, such as the kusarigama and naginata, it’s yet to be seen if its combat will be as fluid and engaging as GoT’s. But with Ubisoft’s RPG know-how, we’ll probably get skill trees, gear you can customize, and upgrades that fit each protagonist’s playstyle.

Unlike GoT, which was well-received upon release, Shadows has already sparked controversy. Most fans feel Yasuke’s prominence as a lead character is historical revisionism. The backlash ranges from concerns about accuracy to racist rhetoric and has divided the pre-release discussion.

Yasuke was a real person, but much of his story remains unclear due to the limited historical records. He is said to have arrived in Japan in the 1570s, likely as a servant or bodyguard for Jesuit missionaries.

His presence was hard to ignore, especially when he crossed paths with Oda Nobunaga, one of the most influential warlords in Japan. Historical records suggest Yasuke was given a place in Nobunaga’s court, possibly as a retainer, but there’s little evidence that he was ever truly recognized as a samurai.

Unlike native-born samurai, he had no family lineage or status within the rigid feudal hierarchy of Japan. After Nobunaga’s assassination in 1582, Yasuke’s recorded history ends. While some speculate he was taken prisoner or returned to the Jesuits, the truth is unknown. What is clear, however, is that his role in Japan was brief, and there’s no historical evidence to suggest he had a major military role.

There’s also a broader frustration among Japanese players regarding how Western media portrays their history. This isn’t the first time a foreign company has taken creative liberties with Japan’s past, and many feel that Shadows continues a pattern of Western game developers twisting historical narratives to fit their own storytelling preferences.

Some fans have completely trashed Shadows before it even drops, all because of the controversy, and most are just waiting for it to fail miserably. This has escalated to the point where Ubisoft is said to have put an “anti-harassment plan” in place for the game’s developers.

However, Ubisoft’s history also contributes to the skepticism surrounding Shadows. The AC franchise has struggled with bloat in recent years, with Valhalla being heavily criticized for its excessive length and filler content.

At the end of the day, Shadows doesn’t necessarily need to “beat” GoT to be a success. It just needs to deliver an engaging and immersive experience that stands on its own and is worth sticking with.

However, if it succumbs to similar issues that have marred recent Ubisoft games, like excessive complexity, heavy reliance on microtransactions, and dull fighting sequences, there’s a risk it might become yet another overlooked title in their series.

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2025-03-18 07:15