Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the next mainline entry in the series, and it marks a return to a setting fans have wanted for a long time: feudal Japan. Ubisoft has confirmed a 2026 release, most likely in the second half of the year.
The game introduces two playable protagonists. The first is Naoe, a female shinobi who focuses on stealth, assassination, and agility. The second is Yasuke, a historical figure known as one of the first African samurai in Japan. He is built for direct combat, using heavy weapons and armor. Players will be able to switch between them depending on the mission or their preferred playstyle.
Gameplay will combine classic Assassin’s Creed elements with new ideas. Parkour returns with rooftops, bamboo forests, and castle walls. Stealth mechanics are deeper, with more ways to hide, distract, and eliminate targets. Combat is more skill-based, with parrying, dodging, and different weapon types. The world will feature changing seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to snow-covered mountains in winter.
Ubisoft has said the game will have a more focused story compared to recent entries like Valhalla. It will explore themes of honor, revenge, and loyalty in a time of warring clans. The open world is expected to be large but less bloated with filler content.
For those who enjoy the RPG direction the series has taken, Shadows will keep leveling, gear, and skill trees. For fans of older games, it will bring back more traditional assassination missions and hidden blade moments.
In terms of technical quality, the game runs on an updated version of the Anvil engine with Unreal Engine 5-level visuals in some areas. Trailers have shown impressive lighting, reflections, and crowd density.
Many players hope Shadows can bring back the magic of earlier titles like Black Flag or Origins while keeping modern improvements. Ubisoft has listened to feedback after mixed reactions to recent games, so expectations are high.
If you like historical settings, samurai stories, or stealth-action games, this is one to watch closely in 2026.
