Darryl Britton

Right, I don’t usually write reviews, but I had to get this out there – Assassin’s Creed Shadows is blowing my tiny gamer mind. I’m only three hours in and already completely hooked. Massive shoutout to the devs – seriously, what kind of sorcery did you use to make feudal Japan look this good? First off, the visuals. My God. I’ve spent a stupid amount of time just walking around, doing absolutely nothing productive, soaking up the atmosphere like I’m on some kind of scenic pilgrimage. The lighting? Chef’s kiss. The sound design? Immersive enough that I genuinely flinched when someone drew a sword behind me. Gameplay-wise, the dual protagonists are such a win. The contrast between stealth and brute force is delicious – it’s like the devs said, “Why not let players have their samurai cake and sneak it too?” Switching between styles depending on my mood (or how badly I mess up the stealth approach) keeps things fresh, and I already love both characters more than I probably should this early in the game. The combat feels slick, and the animations are buttery smooth. There’s something deeply satisfying about a perfect parry – it scratches that same itch as popping bubble wrap, only with more blood and honour. I might be rubbish at it now, but I’m determined to become a sneaky, stabby shadow demon before long. Honestly, I can’t thank the devs enough for this one. It feels like a love letter to the genre, to history, and to all us players who’ve been daydreaming of an AC game set in Japan since forever. The attention to detail is next level. You lot didn’t just make a game – you crafted an experience, and it shows in every frame. Anyway, back to the grind. If you need me, I’ll be in the tall grass, waiting to strike. (Or more likely, being spotted immediately and running away like an idiot.) Thank you, Ubisoft – you’ve nailed it. Shadows is shaping up to be something truly special. ❤️