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Both games are set in Japan, but are they similar? Here are five reasons why Assassin’s Creed Shadows is nothing like Ghost of Tsushima.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the next upcoming addition to the Assassin’s Creed series from Ubisoft. The game is set to release on March 20, 2025, on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X/S. This time around, Shadows takes us on a journey through feudal Japan, where we play as two protagonists: Naoe, a shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, the legendary samurai.
Due to the game being set in Japan, many players are debating whether AC Shadows is similar to Ghost of Tsushima, a popular game where you play as a samurai named Jin Sakai. This is indeed a fair debate, seeing as both games deal with samurais and stealth as a part of the story. But based on our understanding, there are plenty of details that set the two games completely apart.
Here’s our take on this debate, presenting five reasons why Assassin’s Creed Shadows is nothing like Ghost of Tsushima.
Time Period of Both Games
While both games have similar settings, as we previously discussed, there is a significant difference when we go into detail. Ghost of Tsushima focuses on the Mongol Invasion of Tsushima Island in the year 1274. The Mongols were an outside threat that invaded Tsushima.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes place during the late Sengoku Period in the 16th century, which is also known as the Warring States Period. During this time, Japan descended into a period of civil strife, which ultimately led to the unification of the country. This fact alone creates a huge difference between the stories of these two games.
Also Read: Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Feature a New Game Plus Mode?
Weapon Variety in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Anyone who has played Ghost of Tsushima knows that the game’s main protagonist, Jin Sakai, primarily uses two weapons in combat: the Sakai Katana and the Sakai Tanto, along with a few other weapons, such as a blowgun, kunai, and bows. The game does not provide any other weapons except upgrades, which compels players to utilize what they are given.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, on the other hand, takes on an approach that they are quite famous for. Both protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe, can use a variety of weapons tailored to their playstyles. Naoe uses weapons fit for a shinobi, such as a katana, kusarigama, tanto, and hidden blade, whereas Yasuke, who is a towering samurai, can use a long katana, naginata, kanabo, yumi bow, and teppo rifle.
The use of diverse weaponry can also be seen in many previous Assassin’s Creed titles and is not new to the series. This allows players to play AC Shadows with whatever weapon they choose, unlike Ghost of Tsushima, which primarily focuses on katana-based combat.
Base Building in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
A new, never-before-seen aspect in AC titles is coming to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which is a customizable hideout. However, a similar feature can be seen in AC Valhalla, where you can set up a camp named Ravensthorpe and slowly turn it into a sprawling settlement.
But base building in Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes a new direction. Players are given a large empty area where they can place structures, decorate them, and even combine these structures. You can add pathways to connect the buildings and decorations that you obtain on your adventures, both indoors and outdoors. This level of freedom when it comes to base building is completely new to the Assassin’s Creed series.
In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin Sakai does not have a set base that he can customize and upgrade. New places, such as villages and shrines, unlock as you progress in the game, introducing NPCs that upgrade your weapons, provide quests, and unlock new customizations.
Also Read: Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows Feature a Multiplayer and Co-Op Mode?
Season/Weather Affecting the World
Ghost of Tsushima is undeniably a gorgeous game. The various landscapes, each providing fresh new scenery, are sights to behold. Players can also use the flute to change the weather, for example, from rainy to sunny. But the weather change in Ghost of Tsushima is purely cosmetic and has zero effect on gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a new detail when it comes to weather: Dynamic Seasons. The game has a small gauge that fills up as you spend time playing. When this gauge fills up, which takes roughly 2.5 hours, the entire season in the game changes, affecting the world not just cosmetically but also in terms of gameplay.
For example, let’s say in summer, you are playing as Naoe and are swimming in a pond toward your target for a stealth kill. However, the same won’t be possible in winter as the water is now frozen, forcing you to use a different method. This potentially allows you to play the same mission in many different ways simply due to seasonal changes.
Role of Your Allies
Finally, the role of your allies differs in both games. Assassin’s Creed Shadows integrates active companion mechanics, meaning your allies provide support in combat and stealth in a meaningful way. Allies can also be interacted with outside battles, providing a deeper connection with them. You also have access to scouts who can provide useful intel by revealing the map for you.
In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin Sakai mostly acts alone. You do have allies, but they are NPCs, each with their personal story. These NPCs have optional side missions related to them in which they tag along with the protagonist. However, outside these side missions, you do not encounter them at all. The only other time you see them is during main missions if they are part of the story.
Conclusion
So, is Assassin’s Creed Shadows like Ghost of Tsushima? No, it is not. Both games offer completely different experiences in terms of gameplay and story. The only similarity between the two games is their setting in Japan, even though they take place in different periods. Ultimately, this alone should not be the reason to decide whether one game is similar to the other. We recommend playing both games and seeing for yourself which one you personally enjoy the most.
Looking For More About Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
We provide the latest news and create guides for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Meanwhile, you can check out the following related AC Shadows articles:
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- Who Are the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Protagonists? Everything We Know About Yasuke and Naoe
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