Assassin's Creed Shadows takes players to 16th century Japan. The country is moving towards unification, but on a brutal path as unrest grows, new coalitions emerge, and corrupt foreign influences infiltrate the country.

Players will experience the intertwined stories of Naoa, a skilled shinobi assassin from Iga Province, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai from historical legends. Discover their personal stories, meet key historical figures, and shape the shared destiny of the pair as they usher in a new era for Japan.

As Naoe and Yasuke, players can adopt two complementary playstyles, with each character having their own progression paths, skills, weapon options, and stats. Whether they embrace Naoe’s stealth skills or Yasuke’s combat prowess, players will have plenty of options for how to approach objectives. With Naoe, they will experience sophisticated infiltration mechanics that utilize light, noise, shadows, and changing environments to evade detection by enemies. With Yasuke, they will be able to engage larger groups of enemies with brutal precision.

In the game, players will explore a vast open world with diverse landscapes that change with the weather and seasons. From magnificent castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and the landscapes of feudal Japan, it will come to life with unprecedented dynamics, created from the ground up thanks to the latest version of the Anvil engine and the power of next-generation consoles.

In these turbulent times, information is key and will be the foundation of the revamped exploration mechanics. Players will build their own network of spies to uncover new areas and hunt targets. They can also recruit allies with highly specialized skills and abilities to assist them during missions. Creating their own customizable hideout will allow players to improve their network and train a new crew. They will be able to create a unique place to call home, from the construction and layout of the base to the decorations and accessories.