# TLDR Review: Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5

*Published: 2026-02-11 | Updated: 2026-02-11 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/assassins-creed-shadows-ps5*

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## Product: Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5
**Brand:** Ubisoft

## Pros
- The visuals are stunning, featuring impressive ray tracing and high-quality graphics that make the feudal Japan setting truly immersive.
- Gameplay is fun, engaging, and highly customizable, offering diverse combat styles through two distinct playable characters—a stealthy, agile fighter and a heavy-hitting brute.
- The characters, especially main duo Naoe and Yaskae, are well-developed and their friendship adds depth and charm to the experience.
- The game offers a vast, beautifully detailed open world packed with environmental richness and numerous side quests that encourage exploration.
- Considered by many as one of the best Assassin’s Creed games to date, it significantly improves on previous franchise entries and maintains the saga’s high standards.
- Stealth mechanics are excellent, providing a satisfying and immersive gameplay style that many players enjoy.
- Combat is entertaining and varied, supporting multiple fighting approaches that keep the experience fresh.
- The game provides many hours of enjoyment with an engaging mix of exploration, stealth, and action.

## Cons
- The main storyline is considered average and less engaging compared to other recent entries like Ghost of Tsushima or the Yakuza series.
- There is a lack of a compelling main antagonist, which makes the story feel a bit flat and uninspired in places.
- The final battle is underwhelming, leaving some players disappointed with how the climax unfolds.
- Main story and side quests aren’t clearly separated, which can slow down progress if you aren’t following a guide.
- Dense foliage in forests can sometimes obscure the character, affecting visibility and immersion during exploration.
- Some controversy online about the game seems unwarranted but might dissuade hesitant buyers.

## Bottom Line

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (PS5) is a visually impressive and mechanically solid entry that delivers hours of engaging stealth-action gameplay in a rich, atmospheric feudal Japan setting. While the story doesn’t break new ground and the climax could be stronger, the well-crafted world and enjoyable combat styles make it a worthwhile experience—especially for fans of the series or stealth games in general. If you prioritize a deeper or more emotionally gripping narrative, you might also want to check out Ghost of Tsushima for a comparable setting with a more compelling story and open-world design.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| The visuals are stunning, featuring impressive ray tracing and high-quality graphics that make the feudal Japan setting truly immersive. | The main storyline is considered average and less engaging compared to other recent entries like Ghost of Tsushima or the Yakuza series. |
| Gameplay is fun, engaging, and highly customizable, offering diverse combat styles through two distinct playable characters—a stealthy, agile fighter and a heavy-hitting brute. | There is a lack of a compelling main antagonist, which makes the story feel a bit flat and uninspired in places. |
| The characters, especially main duo Naoe and Yaskae, are well-developed and their friendship adds depth and charm to the experience. | The final battle is underwhelming, leaving some players disappointed with how the climax unfolds. |
| The game offers a vast, beautifully detailed open world packed with environmental richness and numerous side quests that encourage exploration. | Main story and side quests aren’t clearly separated, which can slow down progress if you aren’t following a guide. |
| Considered by many as one of the best Assassin’s Creed games to date, it significantly improves on previous franchise entries and maintains the saga’s high standards. | Dense foliage in forests can sometimes obscure the character, affecting visibility and immersion during exploration. |
| Stealth mechanics are excellent, providing a satisfying and immersive gameplay style that many players enjoy. | Some controversy online about the game seems unwarranted but might dissuade hesitant buyers. |
| Combat is entertaining and varied, supporting multiple fighting approaches that keep the experience fresh. |  |
| The game provides many hours of enjoyment with an engaging mix of exploration, stealth, and action. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| Best Buy | $34.99  | Check |
| Target | $49.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*