Ubisoft Unveils New Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Teases Feudal Japan Map and Dual Protagonists

Ubisoft has officially pulled back the curtain on the next major entry in its long-running action-adventure franchise. Titled *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows*, the upcoming installment is set to transport players to Feudal Japan, marking a long-demanded setting by fans and promising a fresh take on the series’ signature stealth-action formula.

Revealed during today’s Ubisoft Forward showcase, *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* will feature a dynamic duo of protagonists: a stealth-focused shinobi and a samurai warrior specializing in close combat. Players will be able to seamlessly switch between characters depending on the mission type and playstyle preference, reminiscent of the twin-protagonist system in *Assassin’s Creed Syndicate*—but with a greater emphasis on gameplay contrast and character narrative.

Set in the late Sengoku period, a time of social upheaval and constant warfare, Ubisoft promises a sprawling open world that captures the era’s lush scenery and rigid social hierarchies. Early concept art and cinematic trailers showcase bamboo forests, snow-covered shrines, and bustling feudal towns, all rendered in glorious detail through Ubisoft’s Anvil engine.

Notably, *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* introduces a revamped parkour system adapted to traditional Japanese architecture, including temples, castles, and elevated mountain paths. The combat system has also been reworked, offering new depth with weapon stances and authentic historical techniques inspired by Japanese martial arts. Numerous gameplay elements will shift based on which protagonist you’re controlling, encouraging players to strategize differently based on stealth or strength.

While no exact release date was announced, Ubisoft confirmed a 2025 launch window for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with additional development underway for a cloud version on Nintendo Switch. The game is being developed by Ubisoft Quebec, the studio behind *Assassin’s Creed Odyssey*, which suggests a likely emphasis on RPG elements and sprawling narrative choices.

With long-time fans clamoring for a Japan-set *Assassin’s Creed* for over a decade, *Shadows* appears poised to deliver. If the gameplay lives up to the ambitious premise teased today, this could mark a bold new era not only for the franchise, but for historical open-world games as a whole.