Verdict
Assassin’s Creed Shadows performs really well on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it an excellent way to experience an interesting story, vibrant world, and two of the best protagonists the series has to offer.
For the longest time, I've wanted to see Assassin's Creed head to Japan, Feudal Japan, specifically, and Ubisoft answered my prayers earlier this year with the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows. In even better news for me, the game is now available on the Nintendo Switch 2, and you'd best believe I've put it through its paces to bring you my thoughts on whether it's worth your time on the hybrid console.
I'm a lifelong fan of the franchise, with my absolute favorite entry being Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and I can safely say that Shadows has earned its place among my top AC games. As I've long wanted a setting like this, I was always going to at least like this one, especially as I'm a huge fan of Suckerpunch's Ghost series - Tsushima and Yotei are works of art.
Luckily, Shadows does hold its own in a space that already boasts incredible games thanks to the PS-exclusive franchise. The highlight for me is the two leading characters; it's an aspect I enjoyed about Assassin's Creed Syndicate, and it's one I appreciate again in Shadows, with Yasuke and Naoe offering different combat experiences, which I'll get into soon. You may actually recognize the name Yasuke, as the character draws inspiration from the historical figure of the same name.
Shadows is set in the 16th century, towards the end of the Sengoku period, when a civil war was tearing Japan apart. The perfect setting for an Assassin's Creed game, as the long feud between the Brotherhood and Templars continues to rage on. I'm never a fan of giving spoilers, so let me just say that this game features an enjoyable narrative that I genuinely couldn't wait to finish. As much as I love this franchise, some entries, such as Valhalla, feel too stretched out for me, but Shadows doesn't have that problem.
Beyond a compelling story that I consider to be one of the best in the franchise, thanks in large part to its enigmatic characters, is a simply gorgeous world that I don't want to stop exploring. Feudal Japan might be in the throes of war, but it's exceptionally beautiful, and Ubisoft captures the time period wonderfully. The world is vibrant, and it's a genuine joy to explore, while also offering enough content to keep you busy. It's an open world full of life, which is precisely what I want.
There are many locations of intrigue for you to wander through, and, in true Ubisoft fashion, there are plenty of bases and strongholds for you to infiltrate, showing just how good you are at picking off your enemies. Of course, you can always opt to go in the front door if attacking from the shadows isn't quite your thing.
As I've come to expect from Assassin's Creed, particularly after implementing RPG elements in Origins and beyond, the combat is highly enjoyable, and I love the differences between the two protagonists. Yasuke is a Samurai, while Naoe is a Shinobi, so one is a warrior whose gameplay centers on throwing caution to the wind and throwing yourself into fights, while the other serves as a spy of sorts, focusing more on stealth and agility. Yasuke and Naoe are starkly different, which, in my opinion, helps to keep things fresh and interesting.
There's a whole host of weapons you can use, each with its own skill tree, so you can choose how proficient you are with each one. Both characters have access to different weapons; Naoe has three types, while Yasuke has five. Yes, weapons such as katanas, kunai, kanabo, shurikens, kusarigama, bows, and polearms are present in Shadows, so you have a great variety of equipment that covers both melee and ranged combat.
My personal favorite is playing as Naoe with the katana, which she wields in a reverse grip. Typically, I prefer to fight first and ask questions later. Still, Shadows subverts that expectation for me, as I generally have a better time with the shinobi - perhaps it's because she's closer to being an assassin, and, you know, AC is traditionally all about being sneaky.
Still, beyond combat, the two protagonists are very compelling, and I'd go so far as to say that they deserve a spot among the best heroes in the entire franchise, having stories that you genuinely want to experience and unfold.
As the game is closing in on being a year old already, I'm sure you know plenty about Shadows already, so allow me to move on to what you likely want to know more than anything from this review: how well it performs on the Nintendo Switch 2. I'm thrilled to say that Assassin's Creed Shadows runs really well on the hybrid console, showcasing just what the hardware is capable of. There's the odd rendering issue here and there, but it's not frequent enough to affect my experience or enjoyment.
If you want to play Assassin's Creed Shadows both on the big screen and on the go, the Switch 2 port is a great choice, as it works well in both docked and handheld modes. I don't think there's a need to rush out to get Valve's hardware or one of the best Steam Deck alternatives if you want to play Shadows outside of your home.
All in all, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an excellent entry in the iconic franchise, with its Switch 2 port exceeding my expectations. Shadows has set a precedent that I hope to see future instalments embrace, with its luscious world, excellent storytelling, and likeable protagonists.