Ubisoft Unveils Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Teases Return to Stealth Roots

Ubisoft has officially lifted the curtain on *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows*, the next mainline entry in the long-running stealth-action franchise. The new game, slated for release in 2025, aims to return the series to its stealth-centric origins while introducing fresh mechanics and a gripping new setting.

Announced during today’s Ubisoft Forward livestream, *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* takes players to feudal Japan, a locale fans have clamored for over the years. The game follows two protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi trained in the art of espionage and assassination, and Yasuke, a historical figure and African samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. Together, they strive to navigate the turbulent political landscape of 16th century Japan, balancing stealth, strategy, and honor.

Ubisoft emphasized a renewed focus on stealth gameplay—an element that made the franchise a household name back in its early days. Creative Director Hiroshi Tanaka explained, “We’ve heard fans loud and clear. *Shadows* is built on a foundation of stealth, with expanded detection systems, dynamic shadows for concealment, and smarter enemy patrols.”

The game will also feature seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments, allowing players to use vertical traversal and hidden paths to complete missions without detection. In a sneak peek, Naoe scaled a fortified castle beneath the cover of darkness, showcasing the new “adaptive shadow” system that changes based on time of day and weather conditions. Meanwhile, Yasuke brings a powerful contrast with his brute strength and sword-based combat, ideal for when stealth fails.

Early footage received mixed but hopeful reactions on social media, with long-time fans thrilled by the return to stealth mechanics, while others questioned whether the dual-protagonist system would detract from the series’ narrative depth.

Ubisoft plans to release more details at their upcoming Ubisoft Spotlight event later this summer. For now, *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* promises a compelling blend of old-school stealth and modern action—potentially rekindling the franchise’s original magic.