Julio Neves
Ubisoft has big plans for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and it’s clear the franchise is doubling down on delivering another sprawling, immersive experience. If you’ve been keeping up with the development of Shadows, this news might not shock you, but it’s still worth celebrating: Assassin’s Creed is returning to its roots of lengthy, content-packed campaigns akin to Odyssey, Origins, and Valhalla. This signals a definitive shift away from the shorter gameplay experience that defined last year’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
A Return to Long Campaigns
The confirmation comes straight from Jonathan Dumont, the creative director of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, who recently took part in a developer-led AMA (Ask Me Anything) on the Assassin’s Creed subreddit. When a fan asked how long the game’s main story would take to complete, Dumont didn’t mince words: Shadows will match the scale and length of Ubisoft’s recent, larger Assassin’s Creed titles.
“The length of the game is always hard to evaluate in an open-world game,” Dumont explained. “Players approach the content in very different ways. That being said, I think Shadows‘ main journey is comparable to Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. As for choices, they are present, and while some have an impact, they play a smaller role in the core narrative compared to Odyssey.”
This is big news for fans of longer Assassin’s Creed games. While Mirage offered a concise 15-20 hour campaign—a callback to the series’ earlier entries like Assassin’s Creed II or Brotherhood—many players missed the epic scale they’ve come to expect in recent years. Dumont’s comments suggest that Shadows will satisfy those players once again.
Comparing Shadows to Its Predecessors
To put things in perspective, here’s how long it typically takes to complete recent Assassin’s Creed games, based on player data from HowLongToBeat:
- Assassin’s Creed Origins: ~30 hours for the main story
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: ~45 hours for the main story
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: ~60+ hours for the main story
Given this range, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is expected to hit somewhere in the middle—a meaty, narrative-driven experience with ample opportunity to explore and engage with the game’s world.
While Valhalla remains the longest game in the series to date, it’s worth noting that player experiences often vary. Open-world titles allow gamers to take their time exploring, completing side quests, and discovering secrets. This flexibility makes playtime a subjective metric, but Dumont’s statement makes one thing clear: Shadows won’t be a short journey.
Why Mirage Felt Like a Departure
Assassin’s Creed Mirage was a unique project for Ubisoft. Released in 2023, it was designed to offer a smaller, more focused campaign that could be completed in under 20 hours. This was a deliberate choice, as Ubisoft aimed to appeal to players who preferred a tighter narrative without the massive time commitment. For many, this was a breath of fresh air; it hearkened back to the early days of the franchise when stories were concise and the gameplay loop more streamlined.
However, Mirage also faced criticism. Some fans argued that the experience felt too short and didn’t live up to the expectations set by modern Assassin’s Creed titles. These players missed the vast, sprawling worlds and hundreds of hours of content found in games like Odyssey and Valhalla. For them, Shadows represents a welcome return to form.
What to Expect From Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in feudal Japan, a time of great turmoil and transformation. This era—which saw Oda Nobunaga rise to power as the “Great Unifier of Japan”—provides the perfect backdrop for an Assassin’s Creed game, blending political intrigue, war, and cultural evolution.
Players will step into the roles of two protagonists: Naoe, a female ninja (shinobi), and Yasuke, the legendary African samurai. This dual-protagonist approach promises unique perspectives on the story, gameplay, and the world around you. From stealth-driven assassinations to open combat and exploration, Shadows looks poised to deliver an experience as rich and dynamic as its predecessors.
One exciting detail that emerged from the AMA is the game’s inclusion of impactful player choices. While these choices won’t create vastly different narrative branches—as seen in Odyssey—they will still influence parts of the story and gameplay. This strikes a balance between the narrative focus of Mirage and the choice-driven approach of Odyssey.
A Game Worth the Wait
The anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is palpable, and Ubisoft is clearly putting a lot of effort into delivering an experience that satisfies long-time fans. With its deep historical setting, dual protagonists, and robust campaign length, Shadows has all the ingredients for another hit entry in the Assassin’s Creed series.
For players who felt Mirage was a bit too short, Shadows will likely feel like a return to form. Whether you prefer the historical exploration of Origins, the choice-heavy narrative of Odyssey, or the sheer scale of Valhalla, there’s something for everyone to look forward to in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Mark Your Calendars
Ubisoft has already announced the release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows: February 14, 2025. The game will launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, giving players plenty of time to clear their gaming schedules. Valentine’s Day might look a little different next year for Assassin’s Creed fans—instead of roses and chocolates, expect hidden blades and samurai swords.
As we get closer to launch, more details will undoubtedly emerge about the game’s world, mechanics, and storyline. But for now, one thing is clear: Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be an epic adventure worthy of its place in the series’ legacy.
