Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Julia10 FEBRUARY 2026

Content

Where is Assassin’s Creed Shadows set?
Who is the main character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
What is the storyline of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

A samurai in black armor raises a sword against a ninja in a blue hooded suit, against a red background with a torii gate.

Travel in Assassin's Creed Shadows to 16th-century Japan and take on the role of a shinobi or samurai to fight and save Japan from ruin.

Where is Assassin’s Creed Shadows set?

A figure stands on a snowy roof with a tool, overlooking a snowy landscape with a traditional Japanese building.

This Assassin’s Creed game is set in feudal Japan, the age of the samurai. The story begins in 1579, during the Azuchi–Momoyama period, and you’ll see that reflected in the world around you. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows you’ll explore beautiful cities, distinctly Japanese castles, shrines, pastoral landscapes and bustling ports. Just like in other AC games, well-known historical figures will play a role in the story. These include Oda Nobunaga, the “great unifier”, and Fujibayashi Nagato, a master ninja of the Iga clan.

Who is the main character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Two warriors clash, clad in detailed samurai armor with horned helmets, amidst trees and building structures.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows features 2 playable characters: the shinobi Naoe and the samurai Yasuke. Both protagonists have a completely distinct playstyle; in most cases you can choose who you play as, allowing you to tailor your mission tactics. Some quests, however, are character specific. Naoe, the classic assassin, moves deftly through the shadows, uses smoke bombs as a distraction, and wields shuriken and kunai to hit enemies from a distance. Naoe also has access to the iconic hidden blade. Yasuke, on the other hand, relies primarily on strength. You’ll have a wide range of weapons at your disposal, such as a naginata, kanabo clubs, bow and arrow, and of course the samurai’s classic weapon: the katana.

What is the storyline of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

The story centres on the 2 protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. Unlike Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the story is not linear; instead, you’ll find yourself in a large open world, roughly the size of the map in Assassin’s Creed Origins. You’ll be given targets to eliminate, but you can decide the order yourself. Knowledge is power, so it pays to explore your surroundings thoroughly in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, gather information and build a spy network. Make sure you also recruit the right allies: they have special skills that will help you progress in the game.