‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Review Scores Are In, And They’re What You’d Expect

Forbes - Mar 18th, 2025
Open on Forbes

The latest installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise, 'Assassin's Creed Shadows,' has received an 82 metascore on PS5 as reviews begin to emerge. With scores of 84 on Xbox and 77 on PC, the game has met expectations as a solid entry in the series. This installment is set in the much-anticipated samurai/ninja era, a setting fans have long awaited. However, despite its appealing setting and the unique feature of two protagonists with different playstyles, the game does not seem to be a groundbreaking addition to the series, aligning instead with typical Ubisoft releases.

Ubisoft, having seen a 77% decrease in value over the past five years despite the commercial success of 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla,' hopes 'Shadows' will perform well in sales. The game's performance is crucial for the company amidst financial pressures. 'Shadows' arrives in the wake of 'Ghost of Tsushima,' a highly praised samurai/ninja game, setting high expectations. While the new setting excites fans, the real test will be how well the game sells, which is ultimately what matters most to Ubisoft's bottom line.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and generally accurate overview of 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' by discussing its review scores, setting, and potential impact on Ubisoft. It effectively balances positive and negative aspects of the game, offering a fair perspective to readers. However, the article's reliance on secondary sources without direct attribution limits its depth and source quality. Transparency could be improved by providing more detailed explanations of claims, particularly regarding Ubisoft's financial situation.

The article is clear and readable, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the main points. While it engages readers interested in the gaming industry, its impact is somewhat limited by a lack of in-depth analysis or direct quotes from reviewers. The article could enhance engagement by incorporating interactive elements and exploring potential controversies within the gaming community.

Overall, the article is a solid piece for its target audience but could benefit from deeper analysis and greater transparency in sourcing to enhance its credibility and impact.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports the Metascores for 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' across different platforms: 82 on PS5, 84 on Xbox, and 77 on PC. These figures are consistent with available data from reputable gaming review sites. The article also correctly compares these scores with previous entries in the 'Assassin's Creed' series, providing historical context that aligns with known review trends.

However, the claim that Ubisoft has lost 77% of its value since the release of 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla' is significant and requires verification through financial reports or statements from Ubisoft. This financial context is crucial for understanding the stakes involved in the game's success. Additionally, while the article mentions the game's setting in feudal Japan and its dual-protagonist feature, these claims are mostly qualitative and align with promotional material, thus requiring less rigorous verification.

Overall, the story's factual accuracy is high, but it relies on assumptions about Ubisoft's financial situation and the game's anticipated sales performance, which are not substantiated with direct data in the article.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' by presenting both its strengths and weaknesses. It acknowledges the game's positive aspects, such as its setting and dual-protagonist feature, while also noting that it may not be a groundbreaking entry in the series. This balanced perspective helps readers form a well-rounded opinion of the game.

However, the article could benefit from including more perspectives, such as those of players or critics who have experienced the game firsthand. While it references metascores and general trends, it does not delve deeply into specific critiques or praises from individual reviews. This omission may lead to a somewhat superficial understanding of the game's reception.

Overall, the article maintains a fair balance but could enhance its depth by incorporating a wider range of viewpoints.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points. It begins with the game's review scores, provides historical context, and discusses the potential implications for Ubisoft.

The language is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the key points. However, the article occasionally uses informal language, such as 'This is fine? Pretty good?' which may detract from its professionalism.

Overall, the article is clear and easy to follow, but could benefit from a more formal tone in certain sections.

6
Source quality

The article primarily relies on aggregated review scores from Metacritic, which is a reputable source for gauging general consensus within the gaming community. However, it lacks direct attribution to specific reviews or critics, which could provide more nuanced insights into the game's reception.

The financial claims about Ubisoft's value loss are not supported by direct sources or financial data, which weakens the reliability of this information. Including statements from Ubisoft or financial analysts would enhance the credibility of these claims.

While the article provides a general overview, the reliance on secondary sources without direct attribution limits the depth of analysis and source quality.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about its sources or methodology, which affects its transparency. While it references Metascores, it does not explain how these scores are calculated or the criteria used by reviewers.

Additionally, the financial claims about Ubisoft are presented without context or supporting data, which could mislead readers. Providing transparency about the basis for these claims, such as citing specific financial reports, would improve the article's transparency.

Overall, the article could benefit from greater transparency in its sourcing and explanation of claims, particularly regarding financial and sales-related information.

Sources

  1. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/assassin-s-creed/assassins-creed-shadows-metacritic-score/
  2. https://screenrant.com/ac-shadows-reviews-compared-previous-assassins-creed-games/
  3. https://www.gamingbible.com/reviews/assassins-creed-shadows-review-078896-20250317
  4. https://www.ign.com/articles/assassins-creed-shadows-review
  5. https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/44302079/assassins-creed-shadows-review