**Assassin’s Creed Shadows: An Encouraging Comeback with Some Technical Challenges**

The conversation surrounding *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* has leaned heavily towards the negative, with debates igniting over Ubisoft’s internal practices and ongoing corporate issues. Reports indicate that developers have been told to remain quiet about their projects to stave off harassment, while Ubisoft grapples with investor apprehensions and potential merger discussions.

Nevertheless, my focus is on the game itself—because *Shadows* is emerging as possibly the finest *Assassin’s Creed* installment in years, perhaps since *Origins* in 2016. After immersing myself for over 30 hours in this expansive stealth-action RPG, my primary concern isn’t with the gameplay; it’s the technical instability that occasionally gives the impression of a tightrope walk.

### A Return to Core Elements

One of the most notable aspects of *Shadows* is its dual-protagonist approach, a tactic previously tried in *Assassin’s Creed Syndicate* but with varied success. In contrast to *Syndicate*, where one character felt lackluster, *Shadows* executes this concept far more successfully.

The narrative centers on Naoe, an adept shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, as they combat tyranny in 16th-century Japan. Although the storytelling stays serious and sometimes lacks excitement, the gameplay compensates significantly.

Following an extensive introductory chapter (which consumed nearly 15 hours), the game truly opens up, empowering players to interchange between Naoe and Yasuke freely. Yasuke is a formidable force, breaking through obstacles and brandishing hefty weapons, while Naoe stands out as the most nimble assassin in the series, thriving in stealth environments.

This adaptability represents a significant enhancement over *Syndicate*, and both characters are genuinely intriguing. More critically, *Shadows* showcases the finest stealth mechanics in the franchise’s timeline. Ubisoft has integrated new features like enemy vision ranges, sound-sensitive surfaces, dynamic weather, and the capability to conceal oneself in shadows. These innovation elevates stealth gameplay beyond previous experiences, particularly when playing as Naoe.

The game also adopts a more flexible structure. Players can approach missions in any sequence, and objectives lack traditional waypoints. Instead, players must gather intelligence to pinpoint their targets. Best of all, assassination takes center stage—absent are the monotonous tailing or escort tasks, replaced with exhilarating, strategic takedown sequences.

### Technical Drawbacks

While *Shadows* shines in numerous aspects, it is hindered by irritating technical issues. During my review phase, lengthy gaming sessions (60-90 minutes or more) resulted in severe performance setbacks. Load times, generally brief, extended to several minutes, menus lagged, and even basic actions like saving could endure delays of up to five minutes.

One particularly intrusive bug happened during a flashback mission when a cutscene failed to initiate, leaving me ensnared in an invisible barrier until I reloaded my last checkpoint.

To be fair, I played on a PS5 Pro, so I cannot ascertain if these problems are prevalent on other systems. Furthermore, the game boasts impressive visuals and runs smoothly aside from these glitches. Ubisoft may address these concerns in updates before release, yet they were too significant to overlook.

### Concluding Thoughts

In spite of its technical flaws, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is poised to be a remarkable addition to the franchise. With its open-ended structure, polished stealth mechanics, and captivating dual protagonists, it feels like a genuine return to its roots.

There’s still much for me to discover, and I’m keen to see how the experience progresses. One thing is clear: those critiquing *Shadows* for purportedly “woke” reasons are overlooking a truly exceptional game.