Marvelous

After nearly 10 hours into the game, I can confidently say that my experience has been great so far. The story makes sense, which is something I always appreciate in a game, especially when it starts strong. My thoughts here are based purely on what I’ve played so far. Visually, the game is stunning (I’m playing on PC), and I absolutely love how it embraces Japanese culture. In fact, it’s only fueling my excitement for my trip to Japan in 2026. However, I can’t ignore the ongoing controversy surrounding the game. It seems like many people had already made up their minds before even playing it. Given the current discourse, it’s understandable why some aren’t happy, but I think it’s important to separate controversy from gameplay—they’re two different discussions. That’s not to say the gameplay is flawless. There are definitely aspects that could have been improved, but I also think people sometimes expect too much from games, leading to constant dissatisfaction with modern gaming as a whole. The most common complaints I’ve seen are that the game is “trash,” that Ubisoft has been “disrespectful,” that Yasuke “shouldn’t be in the game,” and that it’s an “insult to Japanese culture.” These are serious claims, and I get why they’re being brought up. That being said, I believe that if someone already had strong animosity toward the game before playing, they probably shouldn’t have bought it in the first place. If you’ve already formed an opinion based on research or personal beliefs, playing the game will likely only frustrate you further. It’s better to voice concerns beforehand rather than go in knowing it will only confirm your frustrations. Another thing I’ve noticed is that many other games incorporate traditional backgrounds, cultural elements, and historical inspirations without facing the same level of scrutiny as this one. I find that a little strange. When it comes to Yasuke, I think there’s more racial prejudice than outright racism in the discussions surrounding him. Ultimately, if historical inaccuracies are proven, Ubisoft should acknowledge and take responsibility for any misrepresentation of Japanese culture. However, from a gameplay perspective, I’m enjoying it so far. We’ll see how the rest of the game plays out.