It’s no secret that Ubisoft is really hoping for a win with Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The embattled French studio is certainly in need of a win after a dismal showing in 2024 and its decision to take its flagship franchise to feudal Japan might just be what it needs to get its disillusioned fans to believe in its work once again.
While the inclusion of dual Assassins and a new and improved approach to the franchise’s core mechanics have already made many players hopeful that Ubisoft is back to its winning ways, it seems that the studio is drawing on the best of its past work to craft a truly memorable experience this time around.
Making Assassin’s Creed Great Again
Ubisoft’s inclusion of Naoe and Yasuke, a shinobi and samurai, working together to dismantle an oppressive regime in the Sengoku era of Japan has many players excited to see what the studio has come up with. It is a move that brings Assassin’s Creed Syndicate to mind considering that Evie and Jacob Frye continue to hold their own against other Assassins that came after them.
However, Ubisoft’s latest move showcases the studio’s attempts to further recreate the magic of its past titles with the announcement of a prequel manga that dives into the narrative’s finer details, allowing it to further develop its protagonists’ motivations and the events that prompt their addition to the Hidden Ones’ ranks.
Ubisoft has previously had comics that flesh out the narrative it established in Assassin’s Creed titles, giving several secondary characters from those stories their time to shine while also allowing fans to know more about the Pieces of Eden and their role in Abstergo’s attempts to establish the Templar order despite the Assassins’ best efforts (the Shroud of Eden that featured in Syndicate being used to give the Isu Juno physical form is a great example).
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Doubles Down on Its Japanese Inspirations
Just like how Ghost of Tsushima allowed Sucker Punch to dive into Japanese culture with the inclusion of haikus and several references to religious practices among the populace through the eyes of Jin Sakai, Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ companion manga represents a similar yet unique attempt by Ubisoft to make its upcoming title more appealing to its players.
The announcement is especially relevant given the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Yasuke and the backlash against early game footage. With concerns about Assassin’s Creed Shadows being disrespectful to Japanese culture and creating problems for its new release, choosing the manga format over a more traditional comic book approach might help Ubisoft demonstrate its commitment to delivering experiences that look and feel authentic even as its latest title brings the best of past Assassin’s Creed games to the fore.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows releases on March 20th, 2025 barring further delays, and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Mac.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out how one character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows has anime fans very happy with their inclusion or how Sony’s recent PSN problems spelled good news for Steam.
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With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
