Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis a very long game. The main story itself is around 30–50 hours, andAssassin’s Creed Shadows' optional side content brings the total playtime to at least 70+ hours. Naturally, a game of that length needs plenty of incentives to keep players engaged throughout its runtime, and thankfullyAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas plenty.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsisn’t afraid to reward its players for completing its content, with players being given new weapons, armors, and abilities constantly while playing through the game’s main and optional activities. A strong narrative also acts as the foundation ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' moment-to-moment gameplay, tying together every activity with overarching stories and character relationships. However,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' storymight feel all too familiar to long-time fans of the franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Story Retreads Old, But Good Ground
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Inciting Incident Is a Familiar One
After a lengthy introductory cutscene that seesYasuke becoming a trusted companion and samuraiof the daimyo Oda Nobunaga,Assassin’s Creed Shadowshands control over to the player, letting them slash and hack their way through a rebellious Iga village as the samurai. The sequence then abruptly cuts to a young woman, Naoe, who races to her burning village on horseback alongside her father, Nagato.
Naoe is sent by her father to retrieve a mysterious locked box from a nearby tomb, which is stolen from her by a masked man. Naoe tracks down this masked man, assassinates him, and recovers the box, but she’s shot in the side during her escape.Naoe’s fathercomes to rescue her from her attackers, but the two are quickly surrounded by a small army of masked individuals.
Naoe’s father is mortally wounded in front of her, and she’s left to bleed out. Before passing, Naoe’s father tells her there’s much she doesn’t know, and that she needs to “follow the blade.” The camera then pans up, andAssassin’s Creed Shadows' title card appears, setting in motion Naoe’s quest for revenge, and the crux of the game’s story.
For long-time fans of theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, this story setup is going to feel pretty familiar.Assassin’s Creed 2begins with Ezio witnessing his father and brothers' deaths at the hands of the Templars.Assassin’s Creed 3sees Connor witnessing the burning of his home village and the death of his loved ones.Assassin’s Creed Unitysees Arno being blamed for his adopted father’s death. And even the morerecentAssassin’s CreedRPGshave followed a similar story setup, withOriginsopening with Bayek’s son dying andValhallabeginning with Eivor’s parents being killed.
ManyAssassin’s Creedgames have opened with loss and tragedy, as they make for excellent motivations for revenge tales.Assassin’s Creed Shadows' setup is no different.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Setup Is Still Compelling
The familiarity ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' opening sequenceis far from a bad thing. Though it’s been used multiple times throughout the franchise’s history, including its predecessor,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' tragic setup is a tried and tested one.
Naoe and Nagato’s bond is strong from the outset, and the performances and presentation surrounding the character’s death make it suitably emotive. The distinct and striking mask designs of the Shinbakufu members also go a long way in adding a layer of tension and intrigue that hasn’t always been present in previousAssassin’s Creedintroductions.
