Tim Johns

I'm too upset to write this myself so I told Grok about my first 2 hours experience and let it create a very good and concise review of it. Here it is... A Disappointing Start to a Promising Game After a year of hype, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promised a thrilling dive into feudal Japan. As a fan of the series, I was ready for stunning visuals and epic gameplay. Instead, a few hours in, I’m frustrated. Here’s why. Gameplay: Clunky and Restricted The removal of free jumping stings. You can still leap across gaps by holding the jump button and running toward them, but it’s awkward and feels clunky. Dive attacks are doable with R1, but movement overall lacks the freedom I loved in past titles. Climbing’s a mess too—structures that scream “climb me” are often blocked by invisible walls. The fluid parkour I expect from Assassin’s Creed is gone. The forced switch to a female shinobi character doesn’t help. She feels weak—her attacks barely dent enemies, and she dies fast. It’s not her shinobi vibe or gender; it’s just not fun to play a character this underpowered in a combat-heavy game. Storyline: A Muddled Mess The story’s a confusing tangle. It feels like Ubisoft tried to mimic Ghost of Tsushima’s clear, epic narrative but overcomplicated it with twists that don’t land. Instead of gripping me, it leaves me lost. Open World? Barely The “open world” is more linear than it lets on. Invisible barriers and digital walls kill exploration. There’s no eagle or bird view either—a feature I relied on for scouting. Without it, the world feels small and lifeless. Early Game Pain The early hours are brutal. One enemy fight feels unfairly hard for the first chapter. I’ve died multiple times, and each respawn forces me back five minutes to redo tedious sneaking. It’s not challenging—it’s a slog. At $70, that’s tough to swallow. The Verdict Shadows has potential—gorgeous visuals and brief fun moments shine through. But restrictive mechanics, a weak character, and a messy story drag it down. I’m hoping these issues improve past the early game—maybe the shinobi gets stronger, or the world opens up—but right now, it’s a frustrating start. If you want the polish and freedom of past Assassin’s Creed games, this might disappoint.