Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Everything about the release, price and system requirements of the Japanese version (UPDATE)

In February, Shadows, the long-awaited Japanese version of the Assassin’s Creed series, will be released. In our overview, you will find all the information you need about versions, system requirements and release dates.

Assassin’s Creed fans have been waiting a long time, but now the time has finally come: In February 2025, Ubisoft is finally venturing into the realms of ancient Japan with its popular series of assassins . Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in the Sengoku period around the year 1580 and lets you experience the unification of Japan under the banner of the general Oda Nobunaga up close.

We have summarized the most important information about the new Assassin’s Creed for you here.

• Release: When is AC Shadows coming out?
• Platform: Where is AC Shadows coming out?
• Price: All editions and prices
• System requirements: What your computer needs to be able to do
• Game world: How big is AC Shadows?
• Setting:What you need to know about feudal Japan
• Gameplay:What else does AC Shadows have to offer?

Release: When is Assassin’s Creed Shadows coming out?

First things first: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is scheduled to be released on February 14, 2025. Shadows was originally scheduled for release in November 2024, but then the game was postponed at short notice.

The planned early access for owners of a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription, the Gold or the Ultimate Edition of AC Shadows has been canceled. Instead, all players will be able to start their journey to feudal Japan at the same time on February 14. As compensation, owners of the more expensive editions will receive the first DLC for free.

Platform: Where will AC Shadows be released?

Assassin’ Creed Shadows will be released for the PC, MacOS, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S

Contrary to initial expectations, Shadows will be offered on Steam in addition to Ubisoft’s own store and Epic. While previous Ubisoft titles sometimes took a long time to find their way onto Valve’s sales platform, Shadows should be available on Steam from the day of release

(Click here for Ubisoft’s store page)

Price: Which editions are available and how much do they cost?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available in four different versions, each offering different content depending on the price. These are:

A permanent internet connection is not required for playing You only need to be connected to the internet for installation.

Game world: How big is AC Shadows?

The game world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be about the same size as the world map of the 2018 series installment Origins, which covered around 80 square kilometers. The map depicts the so-called Kansai region, the traditional Japanese heartland around the cities of Osaka, Kobe, Nara and the former capital Kyoto.

The physical map of the Collector’s Edition of the game shows that the map covers the medieval provinces of Tamba, Harima, Wakasa, Omi, Yamashiro, Settsu, Iga, Yamato and Kii. Accordingly, we will be able to explore numerous real historical locations such as the castles of Himeji and Azuchi.

Setting: What you need to know about feudal Japan

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes place in feudal Japan around the year 1580 It is the height of the so-called Sengoku Jidai, or Warring States period – one of the most exciting eras in Japanese history.

Japan is a divided country and has been ravaged by a bloody civil war for over 100 years.The imperial court has lost its authority; in the provinces, samurai clans fight each other for power and influence. In 1560, a man finally appears who has set out to reunite the bled-out country: Prince Oda Nobunaga.

Nobunaga is ruthless and brutal – but also open-minded He welcomes foreigners to his court and also takes on the character Yasuke (pronounced Jaßke) as his vassal. In Nobunaga’s service, he subjugates, among other things, the province of Iga, the home of the Shinobi Naoe, and thus sets the plot of Shadows in motion.

Gameplay: What does Assassin’s Creed Shadows offer?

Now that we’ve said enough about details like prices and system requirements, we don’t want to withhold what Assassin’s Creed Shadows has to offer in terms of gameplay.

Like the London offshoot Syndicate, Shadows will focus on two main characters– the shinobi Naoe and Yasuke, a loyal samurai from the entourage of the general Oda Nobunaga. While Yasuke is more of a brute with his katana, Naoe takes care of the sneaking part of missions.

A whole range of new ninja tools are available to you, including a straw that allows you to breathe underwater. The stealth gameplay has also been revised, and you can now crawl flat on the ground.

One of the graphical highlights is the dynamic change of seasons, which lets you experience Japan in spring, summer, fall and winter. You can see what that looks like in the video in the link box below. And if you want to know exactly what to look forward to in AC Shadows, we recommend one of our two previews of the game.

In the coming months, Ubisoft will announce more details about Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Of course, you’ll be the first to hear about them from us.

Now we want to hear from you: Are you looking forward to Assassin’s Creed Shadows? What do you expect from the Japanese offshoot? And what pitfalls should developer Ubisoft avoid? Feel free to write us your wishes and ideas in the comments!