Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Ubisoft Drops Combat Overview

By Daniel Gaming News
11 December 2024 no comments

Ubisoft has unveiled a closer look at the combat gameplay mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, showing fans what they can expect when the action RPG releases on February 14, 2025, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the next major entry in Ubisoft’s open-world action RPG series, is only a few months away, and the developer has detailed its combat gameplay ahead of its launch in a new blog post.

Depending on how players want to tackle the Shadows story, they can go for a stealth approach or cut down their enemies with brutal conviction. Assassin’s Creed Shadows will blend the franchises’ iconic stealth mechanics with a more action-focused gameplay. Shadows launches on February 14, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Explore the Assassin’s Creed series with our in-depth review of the franchise

Key Features of the Combat System

In Ubisoft’s latest blog post for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the game’s director, Charles Benoit, explains that combat will change depending on whether players choose to fight as Naoe or Yasuke, the game’s two protagonists. Yasuke, a samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi, approach combat very differently, with each having their own weapons and abilities.

As a warrior, Yasuke can break an enemy’s guard with his final attack in a combo, whereas Naoe uses speed and agility to overcome single enemies. Both characters can carry two weapons, but only Yasuke can switch weapon mid-combo as he strings together attacks.

Ubisoft remains tight-lipped on particular skills and abilities, but the developer has said that progress will reward Mastery Points that are spent to unlock weapon-based skills. Defeating bosses and powerful enemies will also reward Mastery Points. As for what is the best to unlock, Benoit explains that active abilities “look cool, they hit hard, and they all offer additional opportunities like gap-closing, armor-breaking – even health regeneration.”

Gameplay Innovations in Shadows

Naoe has three weapon types: katana, kusarigama, and tanto. On the other hand, Yasuke has five weapon types: long katana, naginata, kanabo, yumi bow, and teppo rifle. Utilizing each of the weapons available will be key to unlocking new skills and defeating more powerful foes.

With so many weapons and abilities, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will test players’ skills as enemies react defensively and even deliver their own unstoppable attacks. How players approach combat and the game story will alter the experience, meaning playthroughs with each protagonist will be unique.

Release Date and Platforms

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally launching on February 14, 2025. Ubisoft is releasing Shadows on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with the game the first of Ubisoft’s new games to release day one on Steam after the company revised its strategy earlier this year following a turbulent year.

Read how Ubisoft shut down XDefiant less than a year after release

Conclusion

Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to redefine combat in the franchise with its innovative mechanics. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And keep an eye out for more updates as we approach the release date.

Daniel

Fueled by a passion for gaming and the ever-evolving world of gaming news, Daniel loves connecting with seasoned and new players to bring games to life on the page, exploring their narratives and gaming trends. A self-published fiction and fantasy author, Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience writing gaming news and a love for storytelling that drives his enthusiasm to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and industry innovations. You will find him in-game as "Windfell."

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